Dec
2008
Can you spell W-I-N-T-E-R?
December 15th, 2008 at 06:44 pm by Shari Thomas in Around the Farm, Chickens, Family Cow, Horses, Sheep, WeatherFor the past week, we’ve been securing stuff, and making sure all the animals have nice cushy shelters for the inevitable Utah high desert winter.
Here’s what things look like around here as of Friday (Dec 12) afternoon. I finally had time to take pictures.
The sheep have been without their “wind wall” all summer, as their little shelter gets too hot for them. So, we shoved it back in place. Don’t think it will get knocked around before we can tack it in place. There’s enough room for all seven ewes to get in, lay down, and keep each other warm. They’ve got enough head room, too.
Cushy cow digs.
Cows are pretty much okay with cold, and even snow, but wind is really hard on them. Sweetie Pie, the cow has a pretty short coat. Guess that’s part of her “Corriente” genes. Buttercup, the heifer calf is growing a beautiful winter coat. That’s the Herford genes in her.
Cindy and I cleaned the cow pen, shoveling all the manure into a pile for them to climb on. The pile (actually a compost pile) will generate a little heat, so the snow will melt off that area first.
Then, we provided a full bale of nice, soft straw, banking it up the north wall of their shelter. We also added a windbreak (some leftover paneling) that we tied into place. Gotta love the baling twine!
The chickens have always had the best shelter, with the horses having the second-best digs. Last week, Cindy and I got their stalls nice and clean, so they’ll have shelter. The only problem is that there is little to no southern protection for them. Their coats are pretty shaggy and we’ll give them extra alfalfa as it gets colder.
Back in while to show you what winter looks like around here… yes, it has arrived.
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