Scenes from a Teeny Tiny Farm

Yes, we're in the midst of an snowy deep freeze, BUT we have power.  And for that I am grateful.

Donks have had blankets on for a week and will have them on until Monday when the overnight temp is in double digits.  And yes, we have a radiant heater in the coop.  Those readers are in the never-ever-put-a-heater-in-the-coop camp, so be it.  We can agree to disagree. 

Although this might look brutal, donks are OK.

They're getting extra hay rations which is the primary way to keep that internal fire going.
Of course the blankets help a lot and they have a nice bedding layer to insulate from the ground.

Yes, sometimes it's helpful to separate the two bully girls from Gabby so she doesn't get ganged up on.  Plus, you lucky readers get to see the amazing manure pile.  In the mornings we push the wheelbarrow into the donkey yard to collect manure, but when we go out mid-day and evening and the donks have pooped their hearts out in the barn and the dining areas, ya gotta put it somewhere. 

Now, you've got to admit, the donkeys demonstrated artistic creativity in this snow pattern.

Chickens are not happy with this weather.  We keep the coop closed up when the temps stay super duper cold during the day and that's no fun.  They do find ways to amuse themselves.  Witness Pippi's antics in the nesting box.  And yes, the stinker stops when I say his name. 

Keep Faith in your thoughts next week.  She's scheduled for major dental surgery at Michigan State University.  The princess is 11 years old (12 in March) so I do worry about her ability to pop back.

I caught her in a rare sunny spot which is why she looks a bit slitty-eyed.

Last, but not least, the African violet is blooming.  A somewhat rare occurrence so definitely worth noting.

And yes, I'm still following the Walk for Peace.  I encourage you to too.

Through Thick and Thin - Ice

 Ease of care for the animals has been dictated by the back-and-forth weather conditions since before the holidays.
Snow, ice, snow, warm with rain which means ice, snow and now another bout of slush and ice.

With all my heart I can say emphatically:  I hate the ice.

Navigating the driveway to get to the animals when it's covered with ice feels life threatening.  But this comes from someone with balance issues, as you know.

At it's worst, out came the shavings covered path to help us get from the gate to the barn, and helping the donkeys as well.  They walk v.e.r.y carefully in icy conditions.

Of course, now it is topped with a layer of snow and a thin layer of ice.  So much for solid footing.

Right after Christmas we loaded 45 bales to last through March when our hay guy returns to town.  Icy conditions made that chore lots of fun.

All for the donks.

Last post I showed you the citrus tree.  It did get embellished further and I'll hate to take it down.

Lastly I must end with the Walk for Peace that it happening right now.  If you haven't heard about it, a group of Buddhist monks from Texas are walking about 2300 miles to Washington D.C.  In the name of compassion and peace.  You can follow it on Facebook, and I believe Instagram as well.  I follow the photos and videos daily and am in awe.  At times, words simply cannot express my emotions.  They ask that we daily say, "Today is going to be my peaceful day."  Try it. 

Fa La La, a Citrus Tree

 First things first.
The weather.
Yes, we got another dump last week.  Maybe six inches.

Please do not say, "oh my, isn't it pretty".  Not when the tractor doesn't run so Rick can't plow the very long driveway and you cannot leave. 

More shoveling in the donkey yard for places to throw hay.  Since they don't like to forge their own trails, much manure can be found in the dining areas which must be cleared before throwing hay.  And much manure in the barn overnight.  And then there's this.  In the barn.

 Manure in the feed bowl.  Happens a lot.  Why, I ask.  I never receive an answer.

Last post we talked about the hens being on strike.  Big news -- one egg yesterday.  The first in at least a couple of weeks.  Could it be the new feed?  Could it be the parsley tea I've put in their water twice (after reading an article in one of my chicken magazines).  And, the girls actually ventured into the barn during morning chores.  This is normal during warm weather but they've really been off their game recently.

One of the sights I always enjoy is seeing the deer wandering in the woods in the back of the house.  It's hard to see here, but there seems to be a herd of about seven girls frequenting the area.

 On a final note, let me show you the newest holiday decoration.  The citrus tree.
When my son arrived on Thanksgiving he brought slices of various dehydrated citrus slices.  Meant for the Christmas tree.  But we decided to create our own citrus tree with slices having spaces large enough for a ribbon.

A cordless lamp on the windowsill lights the slices up quite well.  I may add some small red balls.  But maybe not.

Whatever holiday you celebrate, enjoy family, friends, good food and relaxing days.

 

No Eggs = New Feed

 Here in southeast Michigan and across most of the state, we got a bit of a snow slam on Saturday.  And so on the teeny tiny farm, it was time to once again shovel eating spots for the donks.

But the three darlings had to eat in the barn before the outside dining area was cleared.

Many inches of snow meant transport to the barn had to be done by sled, not wagon.

In an earlier post I huffed and puffed that the hens were on a total strike, for the first time in our 10-year chicken keeping history.  And it continues.  When I stopped at my favorite feed store and discussed this with one of the owners, she suggested a different feed.  Now let me stop and say I know you all know I will not force egg production with additional light.  I understand and am used to fewer eggs in the winter.  But at this point I'm buying eggs which honestly does not make me happy.  Anyway this feed contains higher protein levels and additional amino acids.  The down side is it's not organic.  But I'm willing to try one 50-lb bag.

Ever vigilant to what's coming in on the sled, Gabby was certain this was a donkey treat.  In fact, Sugar also got in on the investigation and was close to assisting in tearing open the bag.

She asked if I was absolutely certain this delectable smelling bag was not for angelic donkeys.  And I was forced to disappoint her (as if they receive no donkey treats, ever).

 

(just a bonus photo of that cuter than cute nose)

  

Naps to Mist and everything in-between

Every afternoon, the two mature puppies of the house take a much needed nap.

Meanwhile, the donkeys don't let an opportunity to ask for treats pass them by.  Vigilance is mandatory!

I have a favorite stretch of neighboring road during the fall season.  At the right time it is ablaze with all the autumn hues.  I missed the perfect window, but prior to our first snowfall (which has since disappeared) I was able to capture a brief  view of fading glory.

  And germain to nothing, I find this video of the humidifier mesmerizing.  You too?

Hens On Strike!

 Alhough it's been three weeks since last we spoke, news around the teeny tiny farm is sparse.  I've been sick for two of the three weeks making news even more sparse.  Add the fact the hens have been on strike for quite some time and that makes even less news.

In the 10 years hens have been in our lives, this is the first we've had to buy eggs.  What?!  The cause of the egg shortage has to be molting season, although it's never struck so hard before.  And as you know I'll not do the ole trick of adding light to the coop to force production.  Nope, if you need a rest, then take it.  We've gotten two eggs in the past week and it was cause for celebration.

Here are the slackards at play.

Donks are chill as always.  They've pretty much lost interest in the pasture and demand more hay.  We loaded up the trailer with the first half of winter's hay allotment and will get more around Christmas which should take us to first cutting.

Let's hope the next time we chat I'll have shaken this bug completely and will have lots to tell.

Rainy Day Tuesday

 Sometimes there are mornings when you just don't want to go out and take care of animals.  Like yesterday morning.  A rainy fall day, the first in a cool spell.  We needed the rain, but why oh why did I have to go out in it.

Rain hat on.  Rain boots on.  Non-rain jacket on.

Three donkeys said they had no interest in leaving the barn, thank you very much.  Fine by me.

But then there were the two knucklehead hens, frolicking in the rain.  

I finally got Peggy Sue in but Roxie refused.  So she stayed out until I returned about three hours later.  She was sitting happily under the donkey gazebo.  Same problem with the same stinker later in the day.  Perhaps she's part duck.

Let me tell you how utterly goofy blogger is now.  When I check my viewer/reader stats from time to time, the numbers are ridiculously high.  Over 10x what they normally were.  Of course it can't be accurate but I don't understand how it happened and it's minorly annoying.  I'd like some real numbers.