Hot Slop Reappears On the Menu

 Those readers who are Michiganders have experienced first hand the ups and downs of recent March weather.  Last week a day topped out at close to 70, the next day it was 40.  Typical.  I don't think the chonkeys are crazy about the fluctuations either.

Anyhoo, I made the executive decision to reinstate Sunday morning hot slop as the temps had dipped... again.  Little did the donks know their favorite breakfast was on the way.

  And when the wagon rolled in, and yes they recognize the bucket and smell of tasty treats, they were beside themselves with joy.

Yum, yum, yum

In other news, the deer have been active.  Look carefully for the small group moving through the trees.

"Wait for me!"

* * * * * * Vegan Delights * * * * * *

I made this new recipe for dinner last evening and it was a hit.  

Broccoli Casserole

So easy to substitute vegan ingredients -- I used Earth Balance "butter", organic rice milk, Violife cheddar.  

I think we almost liked it as much as Sugar enjoyed her hot slop. 

You'd Think It Was Spring

 What a sense of relief!  No more (almost) ice and snow.  It's an extra bonus that the temps are warming, but I saw an internal attitude change even when the temps were still in the 30's.  And the turnaround, in both mood and ground conditions, was so quick.

Let me show you.

Total ice, Feb 25

 

Fooler ice, March 2

You walk out of the house thinking you've got clear sailing, but...

... this is what you encounter about halfway to the chonkeys

So treacherous trying to get to the donkey gate.  Shavings to the rescue.

And now it's gone!!  Pretty much.  I think it only took about 36 hours.  Amazing.

The donks have been enjoying luxurious sun baths in the pasture and the hens and boys have a snow-free run to frolic in.  Wait, do hens frolic?

Speaking of boys, Pippi and Sharone appeared to have a morning yodeling competition a couple of days ago.  I caught the tail end of it for you.

Kooky Rooster

 Not quite sure what Pippi was trying to accomplish.  Prepping a nest for himself, one of the girls, or just being uniquely Pippi?
I had just refreshed one of the rarely used nesting boxes with new shavings.  And then there was this. 

I saw him do the same thing again (different nesting box) but didn't bother to interrupt him -- what's the point.

Here he plays king of the mountain (of manure).  He's a nut, but what a good lookin' boy.

Michigan Winters = Ice

 The only thing to talk about this week is the weather.  Yuck.

As you all know, I can tolerate the snow, but the ice, no.  And of course, as is its nature, the driveway hard-packed snow turned into a lovely shade of ice when the temps warmed and promptly fell.

It was definitely cleat season.  And paths of shavings, particularly at the donkey gate.  That ever so teeny slope can be treacherous for humans and donkeys.

Since these photos, we had a touch of snow so I've put the cleats away for the moment, but they are at the ready!

To top it off, we have developed a manure garden.  Frozen solid to the ground.  Impossible to get up with the manure fork or a regular shovel.  Let the good times roll.

And this is only part of the manure scene...

Pippi and Peggy maneuver around the poop to help the donks with a meal.

The forecast for this week is more snow and maybe, if we're lucky, some freezing rain.

****** Vegan Delights ******

One of my favorite Costco musts are these gems.  Vegan, deelish and not too sugar-filled.  Lovely with a cuppa.

I'm so pleased that Costco is holding their ground against the current pressure.  Stand firm!

 

The Boys Are Growing Up

Today we're highlighting the two gentlemen of the flock.

Sharone, two years old this spring, continues to be the best boy.  Watches over the girls, breaks up squabbles (usually between Pippi and one of the girls) and is never (knock on wood) aggressive.  He knows his name and when I ask him to move while I'm cleaning up, he agreeably obliges.

 And, as we all know, he is such a handsome devil.

Any trepidations I had early on about having a first-time rooster have long dissipated.

And then there's Pippi.

I really can't complain.  His low level aggression has subsided.  Every once in a while I'll get a peck or two on my boot, but he doesn't have a power stand off with me as he once did.  And when I tell him to move, he usually obliges without incident.

His relationship with the girls is another story.  They're very accepting of Sharone's advances, but resist Pippi and when they verbally resist, Sharone comes running.  Yet the two boys have not tangled, at least that I've been witness to.

 

Sharone as a youngster

Pippi, last year at three months

Here's to the boys

Wintry Michigan Donks

 We're going to pause reality for a moment and pretend it's not -150 F outside right now.

Here is the loveliness of winter in Michigan.

Here is the loveliness of winter in Michigan with donkeys.

Here is the loveliness of winter in Michigan with snowy derrieres.

Rest assured the donks are blanketed with extra bedding.  And the clucks are tucked into a cozy coop. 

Grab Me A Poultice, Will You

 In the seven years Sugar and Spice have lived here, neither girl has had an abcess.  Until now.  Of course.

Apparently Spice saw all the attention Gabby got with her owwy foot so she decided to play along.
Poultice #1 went on yesterday.

Long time farrier, Koren, has a phrase to help remember which of the two is rambunctious during hoof trimming (Gabs is usually an angel).  So if we remember "Spice is nice" we know who to watch out for.  Except this week.  I tried to pick out her hooves to see if her gingerly walking mode was a simple matter of snow packed hooves.  She was feisty as could be.  I had to get help.  Now come on, that's donkey care 101.  During the poultice operation she was a beast two or three times, but it's on.

Of a bit lesser concern, but still on the list, was a malfunctioning bird bath heater.  An "official" heater was a bit pricey so Rick opted for one that he thought would do the trick.  But it ended up being too high.  So we stole the heater from the donkey trough for the bird bath and gave the donks the bigger version.

Perfect!

During the winter the girls tend not to crab at each other as much.  Particularly during meals.

You'd probably not see this often in the summer.