Animals
- A Most Beautiful Start To Autumn
As the sun sets on the first day of Autumn,the dogs and I head outside to eek out every last moment of daylight. The animals are preparing for the night aheadas the moon rises high above the barnyard. The hens work their way back to their henhouses,except...
- Chicken Movers
Yesterday was a big day for Rod Stewart and his hens.This group of chickens has called the chicken house and yard by the barn homefor the past 4 years.Yesterday was moving day. We decided that in preparation for housing our new young henswe would need...
- Sunrise, Sunset
Yesterday was one of those days when I was lucky enough to be outsideboth at sunrise and at sunset.And let me tell you, both were spectacular!Sadly, I did not have my camera with me for sunrise.But yesterday evening.... The sun set with a promise of...
- The Great Free-ranging Escapade
Well, Saturday was the big day. Since the fancy chickens are full grown and laying now, we decided to allow them to free range around the farm in the afternoons when they are finished laying. They have complete freedom until roosting time (nightfall)...
- Last Call
So much of farm life is ritual. There are certain chores that are done every day and every evening....without exception. No matter what the weather, the chores must be done. After all, there are little lives that depend upon us to meet their needs. And...
Animals
Good Night!
The sun has set.
It's almost time for bed.
(Yes, we go to bed rather early on the farm.)
Before our day is finished, though, we have one last set of chores to do.
And most evenings, Bobby shows up at the house for a ride back to the barn.
It's tuck-in time in the barnyard.
Each evening, we close all of the doors to the chicken houses,
after their inhabitants are safely roosting inside.
We chase the guinea keets and the young hens into their coop...
where they will roost for the night.
(You know how youngsters are....never wanting to heed curfew!)
The turkeys invariably roost on the goat fence.
And so we entice them with Ritz crackers...
so that they will follow us to their house where we can close them safely in their protected yard.
The horses and donkeys enjoy their last meal of hay for the day...
while the pigs loudly remind us that they need to be fed as well!
These gals can be rather boisterous when they think they are hungry.
I cannot imagine that the pigs are every truly hungry,
as they can graze freely whenever they want.
But, their most favorite food is their piggy pellets.
Our new little Roo, Sir Elton, has decided that the best place for him to roost
is inside the donkey house,
so each night he takes his place on their mineral block and goes to sleep.
Bedtime in the barnyard is the perfect and natural ending to the day.
All of the animals become quite peaceful as the sun sets.
That is except the barn kitties, who (after sleeping all day) head out to hunt.
For me there is something so comforting about tucking all of my sweet animals in for the night....
knowing that when the sun rises tomorrow they will all be there waiting for me...
to bring the food.
I would love to think that they were just happy to see me,
but I'm not delusional!
Hope you have a wonderful weekend.
We are hoping to get our hay cut...if the weather cooperates!
See you back on Monday for more Tails From the Farm.
- A Most Beautiful Start To Autumn
As the sun sets on the first day of Autumn,the dogs and I head outside to eek out every last moment of daylight. The animals are preparing for the night aheadas the moon rises high above the barnyard. The hens work their way back to their henhouses,except...
- Chicken Movers
Yesterday was a big day for Rod Stewart and his hens.This group of chickens has called the chicken house and yard by the barn homefor the past 4 years.Yesterday was moving day. We decided that in preparation for housing our new young henswe would need...
- Sunrise, Sunset
Yesterday was one of those days when I was lucky enough to be outsideboth at sunrise and at sunset.And let me tell you, both were spectacular!Sadly, I did not have my camera with me for sunrise.But yesterday evening.... The sun set with a promise of...
- The Great Free-ranging Escapade
Well, Saturday was the big day. Since the fancy chickens are full grown and laying now, we decided to allow them to free range around the farm in the afternoons when they are finished laying. They have complete freedom until roosting time (nightfall)...
- Last Call
So much of farm life is ritual. There are certain chores that are done every day and every evening....without exception. No matter what the weather, the chores must be done. After all, there are little lives that depend upon us to meet their needs. And...