dancing horses

dancing horses

Monday, January 17, 2022

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. 



16 comments:

  1. Urgh … winter rain is the worst. I 100x prefer snow to ice and rain, 😁

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yikes! Chickens on the run isn’t a thing I have to deal with, but I completely sympathize with everything else. The bonus is no flies!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. lol, you should 100% get chickens. Most of the time they are amusing.And the eggs are delicious..

      Delete
  3. One of my coworkers asked me the other day about what time I have to get up and do chores and how much longer things take in the winter 😖😬🥶 ughhhh.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Like EVERYTHING, is longer. And so many layers. I miss the days when I could just slip on shoes and go out the door.

      Delete
  4. Lol! Oh Chickens...just like teens you can never get them to do what you want.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yup. They have the disapproving stare down pat too!

      Delete
  5. Oh those silly chickens! They just wanted their human to serve them extra given the weather. I hope the weather takes a little break for you soon!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Winter is quite literally the WORST for horse chores. I shovel at home and then end up having to dig out gates and if your mare is as nutty as mine is, you end up having to DIG DOWN the front fenceline because she's thinking hopping over is looking REALLLLLL inviting right about now (since the snow has raised the paddock an extra 2 feet... ugh). I am regretting not throwing a line of electric up in the Fall when I had the chance.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I remember having to dig out the fence so they could see it. I never want to do that again. like ever.

      Delete
  7. Yup rain on top of snow and then cold and then more rain.... no fun at all! We have ice paths here too. Can't ride for a while.
    You chickens sound like my cats. One look at the weather and they hightail it back to the couch.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My cat is firmly ensconced inside. She will join me on my walks and then goes back to bed!

      Delete
  8. it's barely january (ish) and i'm already over winter haha -- here's hoping more mild weather is on the way!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Right? I'm sure that January has like 85 days!

      Delete

Thank you for leaving a comment. I love the feedback.