The deep snow and frost have been with us since before Christmas, with no break. The boys remain in good spirits, although seem to be bored with the white stuff. Today they followed me around the outer paddock and started to chase each other, galloping through the snow with their tails held up. The 'gallop' is more like a canter and is really funny to watch. To give them a break from the hay and haylage, we have started giving them daily sugar beet pulp, soaked overnight, as a supplement. They were wary of the beet on the first day, but now they scoff the lot and are looking for more! Photo shows husband Robbie scraping away snow along the fence line and the boys eagerly eating the tufts of uncovered grass which remains unfrozen under the deep snow. Also photographed is Horace our 8 years old cockerel, with his sister Tiddles being fed warm porridge. Like the boys, Horace and his 7 hens are not spoiled (much!) Horace in particular does not like to put his feet on the cold ground so he stays on his perch most of the day, giving the occasional 'cock -a-doodle-do' to let everyone know he is still in charge. We keep the hens in separate enclosures from the boys because we are unsure of what bugs may be in the hens' droppings.
The deep snow and frost have been with us since before Christmas, with no break. The boys remain in good spirits, although seem to be bored with the white stuff. Today they followed me around the outer paddock and started to chase each other, galloping through the snow with their tails held up. The 'gallop' is more like a canter and is really funny to watch. To give them a break from the hay and haylage, we have started giving them daily sugar beet pulp, soaked overnight, as a supplement. They were wary of the beet on the first day, but now they scoff the lot and are looking for more! Photo shows husband Robbie scraping away snow along the fence line and the boys eagerly eating the tufts of uncovered grass which remains unfrozen under the deep snow. Also photographed is Horace our 8 years old cockerel, with his sister Tiddles being fed warm porridge. Like the boys, Horace and his 7 hens are not spoiled (much!) Horace in particular does not like to put his feet on the cold ground so he stays on his perch most of the day, giving the occasional 'cock -a-doodle-do' to let everyone know he is still in charge. We keep the hens in separate enclosures from the boys because we are unsure of what bugs may be in the hens' droppings.
I think the cold weather put the animals in a spirited mood! How cute that they are all in a line following your hubby clear the snow! I didn't know chooks lasted so long!! 8 years old is really good!! It's a wonder how they make it through the cold. Enjoyed your post!!...debbie
ReplyDelete