Animals
- 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...
- Bird Brains
So many times in any given week, I wish I knew more about animal behavior. You would think with as much time as I spend with them,I would understand them better. The dogs are no problem....I understand them perfectly. The horses and goats...don't...
- What To Do About Rod!
Well, the routine with Rod Stewart has been the same each day. Every morning, as the sun rises....I open the door to the fancy chickens' coop so that they can spend the day in their yard. As the door opens, they all rush out, with the exception of...
- Frog Dodging, And Other Farm Games
Last call for the night is right after sunset. We head out to the barn and tuck in the horses. Fresh hay for all....check water supply.....clean poop.....kiss goodnight X 4 and then out to close up the chickens and guineas...who have found their way into...
- 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
Every night, 365 days a year, we have the same routine.
As the sun starts to set in the west, we head out to the barn to tuck in our beloved critters.
Along the way we stop at the Roos coop where Statler and Waldorf
have already retired for the night.
We close their door to keep them safe from nighttime predators.
By the time we have checked and refilled their food and water,
the young hens in the brooder coop have found their roost inside the coop...
and we close the door to their yard for safety, also.
Down at the pond, the ducks are making their way back home for the night.
A light and a radio playing in the duck hut
will provide nighttime protection from owls and foxes.
A last feeding is given to the horses
and donkeys.
The horses spend their night in the dry lot with access to the barn if they want.
The donkeys usually sleep in their run-in shed...along with our white silky Roo, Elton.
(Elton perches himself on top of their salt block for the night.)
After receiving their last meal for the day,
the pigs nestle down in a bed of hay for the night inside their stall.
Number 6 roosts on the fence by the barn.
The guineas make their way back to the barn and eat their last meal
before flying high into the branches of our old pine tree, Sampson, to roost for the night.
The turkeys are closed in their yard
and will roost in their house.
The goats enjoy the cool of the night and are quite active.
Each of them has his own doghouse for shelter if needed.
Every evening one or more of them will perch themselves on top of the houses
to watch the sun set.
This curious behavior is something they only do in the evening.
The rest of the chicken houses are closed for the night,
the hens having made their way inside...
will quietly sleep on their roosts until the first light of day.
Every night the routine is the same.
There is a comfort in the routine.
For us it is peaceful...the end of a busy day.
For the animals it is security.
It is only after this last time out to the barn
that I feel like I can relax and have some "me" time.
Once the sun has set, however, more times than not I am ready for bed.
After all, tomorrow is another busy day full of chores,
and I will be up with the sunrise!
- 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...
- Bird Brains
So many times in any given week, I wish I knew more about animal behavior. You would think with as much time as I spend with them,I would understand them better. The dogs are no problem....I understand them perfectly. The horses and goats...don't...
- What To Do About Rod!
Well, the routine with Rod Stewart has been the same each day. Every morning, as the sun rises....I open the door to the fancy chickens' coop so that they can spend the day in their yard. As the door opens, they all rush out, with the exception of...
- Frog Dodging, And Other Farm Games
Last call for the night is right after sunset. We head out to the barn and tuck in the horses. Fresh hay for all....check water supply.....clean poop.....kiss goodnight X 4 and then out to close up the chickens and guineas...who have found their way into...
- 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...