Snow - The Accidental Smallholder

Posted: Sunday 23 November, 2008

by Rosemary at 10:03am in Anything goes 2 comments Comments closed

We've surely got snow now. We've had a wee bit since Friday last but last night, about 6" fell. Fortunately, John has done a fabulous job keeping the outside water running. So far we've plenty hay but I need to get some straw for bedding the calves and for the field shelter, where the ewes are.

The ponies and sheep are now eating hay good style. The sheep can have it adlib but the ponies need to be restricted or they'll get fat - it's happened before! This morning, Smokey and Bugsy had lumps of ice on their backs and in their manes. I suppose this means that they are well enough insulated that their body heat doesn't melt it, but I can't help but feel sorry for them.

I feel sorry for the hens. Dan's built a sort of pallet pontoon outside the house so that they can come and go without getting their feet wet. We've put food and water in the house as well as outside, and hung up some lettuce for them to peck at.

Is that the time? Off to do the afternoon feeding before it gets too dark.