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January 18, 2005

Too darn cold!

Even with windchills of more than 20 below, there is still some free water on the pond where the ducks hover. The geese tuck their feet under their fat bodies and lay in the snow. Everyone is covered with snow and ice, not taking shelter in the sheds we provide. I keep them stocked up on food and add extra corn to keep them warm.

The turkeys are staying in the barn with the few odd chickens who don't get along with anyone in the coops. My fool bronze tom prefers to stay outside, strutting in the snow, the fool. When he realizes no one is looking, he sits down beside the coop that houses the chickens he was raised with -- he has a couple buddies in there I think he misses. The barn door is open a crack so he can come and go as he pleases.

The ducks take advantage of this too. When I come home at night, there is a wide path that leads from the pond to the barn and back. They come in to nap under the tractor, or to play with the plastic garbage bags that hold sawdust.

We water the goats but their water turns to ice quickly. The sheep have given up on the water and eat the snow instead. These days the chickens prefer eating snow and ice over water. They are laying more but with the temperatures, any eggs are frozen and cracked before I can get to them.

The chickens prefer to eat snow and ice than drink from their waterers. They go crazy for it as if it is bread. When I enter the coops to check on them and fill their feeders, it doesn't take long for me to feel little pecks and pokes at my boots as they remove the snow.

Although we have had a mild winter so far, I keep telling myself it will be over soon.

Posted by roosterh at January 18, 2005 11:43 AM

Comments

Hi, Bitter cold here for a couple of weeks and snow too! Not something we're accustomed to on temperate Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.

I'm looking for a Maran breeder for a chick supply.

Any thoughts??
Robin

Posted by: Robin at January 28, 2005 12:16 AM

Posted to Poultry

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