Finishing Clearing the Barnyard

After a break from scooping the paths, I went back and started clearing the bigger spaces.  The greenhouse was actually pretty quick to put in a couple of piles.

Flora

It was the north paddock that I figured would wear me out.  The snow was deep.  All the way from the gate to the building.

From the gate to the north

I have to go around the pen.

Then it’s a stretch to the shed.

They didn’t even come out despite the wind dying down and the sunshine.

2TC in the doorway

Then I scooped for them, and they were happy to come out!

2TC coming out on my path

Chiffon, Trace, and Benji

Then I did the main part of the barnyard.  I had to clear it enough to get all my food pans out and make sure everyone would be able to find a place to eat hay when I fed them.

Hilda testing out the path.

I did it.  I still had the yard and some other little parts to do, but I had it so that I could do chores.

It was close, but we did it.

Hilda and Rosie eating hay

Of course, Pretzel is still going into the barn to eat hay while I’m doing the rest of my chores.

Pretzel

They were very happy to get their food after that storm and the huge drop in temperatures again.

Winter Chores

Winter chores take me quite a while to do.  I have to make sure everyone gets their grain.

Purl and Freddie

While I’m going in and out of the birds’ room where the grain is kept, I also feed the birds and gather the eggs.  A lot of them froze last week, but the warmer weather has let me gather them before they freeze.

Then I start haying the main group.

Maisie

That’s a distraction so I can feed Aurora her extra feed.

Aurora

Trust me, I have to guard her the whole time she’s eating.

Maisie coming to see if she can get the llama feed.

I also let Dolly in to eat every day.  Tansy usually goes in also.  On this day, my old lady Bambi demonstrated her still quick moves and snuck past me to get an extra snack of sweet feed.

Bambi and Tansy

I’ve also started letting Pretzel go in and eat in the middle of the barn while I feed hay.

Pretzel

I have to make sure that Perdita can find a place to eat, and under the picnic table seems to work well.

Perdita

Every everyone has had grain and hay I still have to do water for everyone.

I’m so grateful for the hydrant and heated buckets.

 

I think everyone is hanging in right now.

Ice, Snow, and Hay

With the layer of ice in pasture and another dusting of snow on Wednesday, I’ve begun feeding hay.

a dusting of snow on her back

It’s greatly appreciated.

Dolly

I did also decide to shut Flower in the Love Shack.  She had lost quite a bit of fur with the copper deficiency, so she’s a bit cold with the turn in the weather.  Hopefully, it will get grown back in quickly with the copper I gave her.  In the meantime, she has room service.

Flower

Rosie (and Pretzel) are such assertive little girls, they have no problem getting in there with the big goats to eat.

Rosie

Freddie is having a harder time.  I swear, since I lost Fionn, Xerxes has become a jerk.

Freddie

I just make sure I put hay in lots of places so everyone can get some.

Daisy

Wanda’s “leave me alone; I’m eating” look.

This is also the time of year that I am very grateful that I have electricity to all of my buildings.

Zinnia

I guess I’m as ready as I can be for the winter weather.  That’s good because this weekend is looking brutal cold.