Binker Hunkers Down

Not to worry about the rabbit, Binker is keeping low and warm in this snowy weather.

The only thing Binker needs help with is a frozen water bottle.  At least twice a day we need to thaw it out and add new water.  This weather is nothing for this pro.

Not Big Fans

 The good thing is that they keep each other warm.

Momma, please make it stop.

The best thing we have to date...heated water bucket!

I'll come out if you bring me a treat.

I like eating snow.

Boogie says who care, I'm going to have lunch.

Boogie needs to work on his sharing skills.

Chickens Are Not Snow Lovers

There are not many feet prints in the snow.

Breakfast is served.

Then The Sky Sent White Stuff

It snowed this afternoon.

And not too many are too excited about it.

Not excited at all.

And this little lady loves the snow!

They don't mind it at all either.

They love their stacked high to the bucket straw and their new door.

SNOW

The girls finally ventured out.  Not for very long but they were out!

When your feet get cold, you just tuck them up, get them warm and then switch off.

And then there were some that just lined the nest with some more feathers.

And then the goats got to come out to play!  they loved it,  Running and jumping...just being crazy.

Boogie is looking good.

Boot ate some snow out of the bird bath.

Just so you know, we put a door with hinges on the front of the goat house.  We can swing it out to clean it and this summer we can swing it out so it will be cooler for them.  Scoot was sound asleep.  I had to go in to make sure he hadn't stopped breathing.  He was sound asleep!

Look at them all snuggled up.

Little girls said heck no, we don't like the snow!

They are hiding!

So....I had read they goat love evergreens.  I mentioned it to Mike...a few days later he stopped up the street and picked up a tree on the side of the road.  And they love it!

They love it!

The Animals Are Coping Well With The Snow

I am still getting a few eggs.  On a good day I will have three.

EffieGrace is still hanging in there.  I fixed her a little spot in the corner under the plastic in some straw.  And I gave her a pretty big helping of sunflower seeds this morning.  But looks like Esthelle  found them.

Binker buries himself in the straw and seems quite content.

Buns could care less.  She never seems to get cold.  She eats me out of house and home.  She tends to eat her straw rather than snuggle in it.

And then we have another poor molting chicken.  Dixie is losing feathers so fast.  Why on earth would you be scheduled to molt in the middle of winter?

How They Weathered The Storms

The rabbits were all snug in their boxes filled with hay.  Only problem...some days I would have to go out four times to replenish the water bottles because they froze solid.  I was thankful for my little snow plowed paths.  At night I would bring the water bottles in and sit them by the heat vent so they would be thawed and warm by morning.

We ended up putting cones over all the water and food containers to help keep the snow out.  And the water heaters did just great...except for the -30 night.

The Big Girls only have a small place to keep dry other than in the coop so we put a tarp over half the run and added straw for some insulation on the cold ground.  You have to be care their feet don't get frostbite.

Once he paths started to show dirt some of the girls ventured out for some treats...even when it was snowing.  What some of them won't do to get a little extra treat.

Once there were brown patches in the yard they ventured out a little bit further in he yard.  Still they didn't like the feel of the cold wet snow on their feet.

Mark broke out some of his bird suet for them.

One week I had a little extra cash in the egg jar so I splurged and got a big block of treats for them.  They were various leery of that brown block in the middle of the yard.

But once I added a little of their regular treats to the top it became something they all wanted to check out.

Susie

 

Inez

 

Esthelle

 

Inez again

 

Ethel

Susie spreading her wings.

Judy

Sunny

Inez the camera hog

Dixie walking the railroad tie so she doesn't have to step in the snow.

Crispy flying from one brown spot to another.

Susie in her favorite spot.

Chicken foot prints in the snow.

EffieGrace

Ethel looking for Chickie Pa.

And just look who thinks she is Queen of the treats.

The figured out that the ground was softer over by the fence where the snow had melted and they could find worms.

Just to change it up a bit so they don't get bored I put their treats in he little red wagon so they had to do a little work to get something good to eat.

Love those chicken legs.

And once again...

Better move over Susie here comes Keithetta Renetta.

RayJeana just sweeping the yard for worms or anything good to eat.

Some need to stand on tippy toes to get a treat.

Muddy feet

Second in command

Our little want to be mother, Ethel.  She loves to sit on eggs.  They could be hers or others or even the fake eggs in the nesting boxes.

I have already decided that The Girls will be getting their own little ghetto pool for the hot days of summer.

She doesn't like muddy feet.  I don't either because they get the eggs all dirty when they go in the nesting boxes with mud on their feet.

Just a little refreshing drink.  Today I added the water from cooking last night.  So they had some broccoli/pasta water.  I'd say my girls are just a little spoiled.  But the way I have it figured if they supply me with all the eggs I could possibly want and use, they should be rewarded for all their hard work.