Blizzards

NIGEL:
So we have been battling blizzard conditions here for the last week. No fun at all.
The data:
-Winds were gusting up to 60-70 mph / 100-115 kph.
Grandfather Mtn nearby, had gusts over 100 mph!
-Temps were between 5 to 25'F / -15 to -4'C.
With wind chill it was down to -15'F / -26'C. It was soooo cold one night, I went to look at the temperature gauge we have in the coop & it had frozen off?!?!!? Couldn't find it to see if it popped off in one piece or in pieces because of all the straw on the floor?!?!

The chickens seemed fine except for not being able to explore our field/paddock.
The concerns are:
-Frostbite (one day we had a severe frostbite warning) on the chooks wattles & combs. We haven't seen any obvious signs, but I must admit, I am not sure what I should be seeing on the combs & wattles?
-Freezing of chook's drinking water. They can get VERY thirsty. We have plumber's heating tape wrapped around two of the water cans & this works well. Unfortunately, when it gets seriously cold the tray at the bottom of the watering can doesn't get heated & has frozen several times. We are now in the habit of bringing a fresh can down each morning to swap out with the one in the coop overnight. The chooks seem happy.

We have freezing rain today. Mid 20's... warm (did I really say that?). So I let the chooks out to explore the rock hard ice sheet. The eggs keep coming...averaging about 12-14 a day. They love the laying boxes, although a particular box (at random) appears to become the favorite & we may find up to 6 eggs in it. We may find two hens in it also? they favorite laying box changes from time to time.

They love all of the straw on the coop floor. It helps keep the coop warm & gives them something to scratch. The roosters are more subdued, with Jack following us around constantly while in the coop. Blackbeard & Buster avoid us & #46 continues to be bewildered & confused. The hens are always excited about our visits.