Short Days and Cold Nights

Actually, we all know that the days are subtly lengthening, but it doesn't make those zero degree mornings (or below zero!) any better.

Trekking through the snow drifts brings all too many reminders of last year's months-long pain, and sore shoulders and necks are reminders of why we downsized animals this year.

The llamas are doing fine in their cold pasture... they have the extended 3 sided barn to snuggle in, and they are using it.

Even though Aztec looks like he wants to come through the gate and into the house with us, they are fine. 

The chickens, despite the pophole being open, want to stay inside.

Here you can see how the chicken house is divided.... the flock is on one side, and the "feed room" on the near side.  The feed room normally has a clean floor, and neatly lined feed cans to the right in this picture.  However, Butch has been living inside it for months now, and the Three Survivors... I really have to name them... are now his girls.  As you can see, there is litter on the floor there, too.  Here is the weird thing... we used to open the door and see mice running everywhere... not this year.  We see one or two... but not the hoards of old.  We have not seen any in the house either, and last year were overrun with them. Maybe the snakes under the house did their jobs very well.

I am taking some half days this week to keep the little chickens watered at midday, since they have no heater for their waterer.  We hope to rectify all this during the spring, so that next year we can fill a waterer and leave it for two days, instead of rotating waterers in and out of the henhouse.  We will be able to run the waterer heater and have a light glowing for warmth, once the wiring is finished.  At least there was sun today, which brought everyone's spirits up, at work and at home.

Dogs and cats are staying IN.

Especially the blogging assistants!