Dependents

 Ah winter. 

It is not my favourite time of year. Don't get me wrong- I can appreciate the beauty of winter. And I do like the concept of seasons. I also know that living where there's winter means that our summers are beautiful and pleasant, not searing and hellish. 

An old photo of our home. It looks different now

But the truth is that looking after the animals in winter is harder. And sometimes unpleasant (old post called 'The 5 stages of Winter" if you are interested) . Now that January has hit winter is full on. We've had a couple storms and dealt with them as per usual. Last friday we had a wicked storm that started as freezing rain and ended as snow. And then the temperature dropped, freezing the snow into a hard mass. 

the snow was good for snowshoeing

Today the temperature began to rise. After a calm morning, a blizzard started at noon. I brought the horses in and stocked up their hay and water on my lunch break and then headed back to work. The temps kept raising and the snow turned to rain. And then became really heavy. Now I knew that this was going to happen and was resigned prepared. After work I went out and grabbed my shovel. I spent the next 30 minutes digging the now softened ice/snow to allow a path for water to run. I then cleaned out the stalls, swept and fed the horses. 

Now when the the weather is bad the chickens leave their coop and make a beeline for the barn. Where they spend the rest of day. The analogy I use is 'teenagers at the mall'. They hang out, squabble, demand treats and generally make it clear that they own the barn and the horses are simply tenants. 

enjoying a sunny spot

While I was doing my chores the girls were clucking around looking at me expectantly. I figured that they wanted to go back to their coop so I opened the barn door. They looked out at the teaming rain and howling winds and flatly refused to leave. I figured that if I waited a long enough they would go. Turns out I underestimated their stubbornness. I believe that I now understand how a chicken says 'no way!' and 'we'll stay here'. 

I realized that I had two choices- let them hunker in the barn overnight. That felt like a bad idea. Carmen concurred. Or I could do it myself. With a sigh I picked up the first chicken- Beth. she's my most gentle and friendly one. The others protested and required me to chase them around the barn. Four times I trudged from the barn to the coop, clutching a chicken under one arm, trying to not fall on the mix of ice, slush and water while the wind buffeted me around. Guinness, ever the loyal side kick traipsed back and forth with me, looking a bit bemused by this new chore. I deposited each hen into the coop and told them to go to bed. 

I believe that he often thinks I make bad decisions

When I finally came in I was wet and chilled and questioning my life choices. 

But not really.