Animals
- The Price Of Winter
With the slightly warmer weather we've had this week,I've been able to open the henhouse doors wide. During the colder winter months,I try to conserve a little warmth in the houses and either clip the doors openat about 6 inches, or close them...
- Blue Skies, Sun, And Icicles
Yesterday afternoon as the dogs and I moved about the farm...feeding animals, gathering eggs, filling water buckets and cleaning manure,I was enthralled with the positively beautiful weather. The sun was out and the thermometer had hit a high of 28 degrees...
- All In A Day
I've got to tell you...I love question and answer!You help me think of things to write about with your questions. Karen: "Why are there marbles in the water container...for the chicks?" I always put something in the water reservoir for newly...
- 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...
Animals
Staying Within The Lines
I really cannot complain about the amount of snow that we have.
We actually don't have a lot of inches on the ground right now.
We had about 6 inches on the ground a week ago,
and then we had a day of freezing rain...
which compacted that snow down to just a couple inches.
Unfortunately, the entire thickness is solid ice...
ice that I can walk across and not sink.
Because of the dangers of this ice, I have been keeping the horses
inside the dry lot.
The front pasture is a treacherous sheet of ice...
and I cannot risk a horse with a broken leg.
As for the donkeys, they have no desire to veer off of the 2 foot wide path
that runs from their house to their food and water.
Back and forth several times a day...
and that's about all they do for now.
I am sure that all of the equines are getting quite bored with winter.
Perhaps next week's warm up will give them a chance to get out and stretch their legs.
Ginger and MaryAnn venture just far enough out of their house for a drink.
And then back in under their heat lamps they go.
As for the turkeys, they are stuck in their house/yard
as their front gate is frozen shut. It will take a pick-axe to break that gate free.
And though the chickens have the run of the farm,
they prefer to stay indoors...
only venturing out to eat a little scratch in the afternoon "sun."
I have had to redefine the word "sun"...as it is rarely ever out these days.
The goats are also staying on the straight and narrow...
a series of goat berry-lined paths that runs between their houses, their food bowls, and their water.
It seems we are all living "inside the lines" right now!
By the time Spring rolls around, we are all going to be ready to run wild.
Yesterday I picked up Ivanka (barn chicken) to clip her overgrown toenails.
Look who had to join her on my lap...
These two are practically inseparable...
an odd combination...
cat and chicken.
I suppose they are kindred spirits.
While we were out doing the afternoon chores, Becky and Sid
passed us on their way back from the indoor riding arena.
Sid is so handsome and proud and eager to please.
This off the track thoroughbred has become the perfect eventing horse for Becky.
(In case you were wondering, Sid sweats profusely in the areas that are lighter colored...
making drying him nearly impossible with his winter coat...
so, Becky shaves these areas.
On really cold days, Sid sports a "smoking jacket" that matches Sam's and Oakely's.
Thanks so much for stopping by and checking in on us.
Before you leave, I'd like to show you how my headband turned out....
I enjoyed the first one so much...I've already started another!
- The Price Of Winter
With the slightly warmer weather we've had this week,I've been able to open the henhouse doors wide. During the colder winter months,I try to conserve a little warmth in the houses and either clip the doors openat about 6 inches, or close them...
- Blue Skies, Sun, And Icicles
Yesterday afternoon as the dogs and I moved about the farm...feeding animals, gathering eggs, filling water buckets and cleaning manure,I was enthralled with the positively beautiful weather. The sun was out and the thermometer had hit a high of 28 degrees...
- All In A Day
I've got to tell you...I love question and answer!You help me think of things to write about with your questions. Karen: "Why are there marbles in the water container...for the chicks?" I always put something in the water reservoir for newly...
- 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...