The Big Thaw is Coming

Or wait, maybe I meant the big FOG. 

If you look in the middle, you'll see the owl on his perch, watching and waiting. 

The ducks, who had been kept in for five days, got right to it as they were let loose in the pasture. 

Even Donald could not just stand there and watch out for the girls, they began pulling up grass, etc. as fast as they could. 

No, they weren't starved, they just prefer the pasture grasses. 

Our cover over the new henyard is a little the worse for wear.  You might remember we had to drop it last winter when we got heavy snow.  It has pulled away from the building, so I am finding small birds in the yard, which we covered to protect from the starling hordes.  

However... I am not as concerned now, and I figure we'll pull it closer to the building once the snow in it has melted this weekend.  It has done a GREAT job for a year and a half. 

These girls have only been out once in the last week, so I hope to get them outside for a while tomorrow. 

We were expecting freezing rain this morning... which materialized as fog. 

There are going to be some slick spots tomorrow, though, as we have had thawing all day, and I expect re-freezing tonight. 

Rooster Larry in the new henhouse shows signs of cold damage to his comb.  Mediterranean breeds, especially, were not bred for these cold temperatures we have been having lately.  The points can actually fall off. 

He is fine otherwise. 

I thought these guys were getting tired of being in their pen, too... but when I threw the gate open today, there was not exactly a stampede to get out.  

They did go out in the pasture for a while and wander around, and then back to the pen.  

As you see, we have some wastage of hay, but that's a small price to pay for healthy, happy goats. 

(Kelly was standing practically UNDER me, so is not in the picture). 

Their light has now been turned off, we are having better temps for the next five days. 

Farm Assistant Abby, helping me this afternoon!

Everyone stay safe out there!