Animals
- Equine Ice Capades
This is a familiar afternoon scene on the farm. It might look like three horses walking alone down the road, but buried in that mass of brown fur and hooves is Dr. Becky. Her horses Sid and Duffy, along with Shirley (pony and sister to my Donnie and...
- The Donkeys Have Their Wooly Bangs Again!
There is absolutely nothing new happening on the farm.Nadda.And that's just how we like it this time of year! We've been hit with a wintry blast of weather.Early morning chores are done in 20+ degrees.Yesterday morning brought a light dusting...
- Phil May Have Lied!!
We have a major case of Spring fever here on the farm.Unfortunately, the weather is not cooperating. We were spoiled by last week's high temperatures.Now the weather is back to what is typical for February.We've had a little more snow and more...
- Baby, It's Cold Outside
This has been the coldest December that I can remember. Our Decembers are usually temperate...and snow for Christmas is often a long shot. However, it looks like the snow on the ground will still be around for the holidays. The snow on the ground makes...
- Hay Is For....
...Just about everyone these days! We got our final delivery of hay for the upcoming winter. Our barn is stuffed and we should have enough on hand to feed our horses, ponies and goats in the coming cold months. There is quite a chill in the air these...
Animals
Hay Is For.....
Everyone!
With this cold cold winter we have had,
our hay stores are disappearing at a faster than normal rate.
My barn is looking emptier every day.
We may even have to buy hay if this weather keeps up.
I allow the horses a generous amount of hay most days,
and when it is extremely cold, they have unlimited access.
My horses are not picky and they are not wasteful, either.
They eat every last blade of hay that is left on the ground.
The goats, on the other hand, are quite wasteful.
Their hay is deposited in a hay rack...
from which they graze.
What falls on the ground is not touched.
(I even suggested that they blow on the stuff that falls to the ground...
you know, to blow the germs off!)
But no, once it hits the ground it is no longer good enough for
our spoiled caprines!!
Have no fear, though....
we waste nothing here on the farm.
We scoop up what falls on the ground
and give it to the chickens.
They have the best time picking through the hay,
eating the greenest pieces and scratching through the rest.
This hay gives their yard good footing during the winter...
especially during times like this, when the chickens have no interest
in leaving their yard to free range.
After all, everything of value to them is under the snow.
(Yes, my chickens are fair weather birds...spoiled, too!)
The amazing thing is that for all of the hay that we have placed into the
chicken yard, over time it disappears.
The chickens have a tendency to pulverized everything in their yard.
So, for now I am hoping for warmer days, melting snow and
the emergence of edible grass!
PS: This morning Dr. Becky is going to get x-rays of Scarlet's jaw.
I should have more news for you tomorrow.
Thanks for the words of encouragement.
Unfortunately, the tumor is bony, not in soft tissue.
We'll keep our fingers crossed!
- Equine Ice Capades
This is a familiar afternoon scene on the farm. It might look like three horses walking alone down the road, but buried in that mass of brown fur and hooves is Dr. Becky. Her horses Sid and Duffy, along with Shirley (pony and sister to my Donnie and...
- The Donkeys Have Their Wooly Bangs Again!
There is absolutely nothing new happening on the farm.Nadda.And that's just how we like it this time of year! We've been hit with a wintry blast of weather.Early morning chores are done in 20+ degrees.Yesterday morning brought a light dusting...
- Phil May Have Lied!!
We have a major case of Spring fever here on the farm.Unfortunately, the weather is not cooperating. We were spoiled by last week's high temperatures.Now the weather is back to what is typical for February.We've had a little more snow and more...
- Baby, It's Cold Outside
This has been the coldest December that I can remember. Our Decembers are usually temperate...and snow for Christmas is often a long shot. However, it looks like the snow on the ground will still be around for the holidays. The snow on the ground makes...
- Hay Is For....
...Just about everyone these days! We got our final delivery of hay for the upcoming winter. Our barn is stuffed and we should have enough on hand to feed our horses, ponies and goats in the coming cold months. There is quite a chill in the air these...