Winter

It has been such an incredible fall, it is hard to remember what the winter was even like. The nights are getting cooler, around 7 degrees Celsius, but the day reaches the high 20s. The animals are enjoying the last rays of the warm sun and the cooler evenings, but the dropping temperature makes me think about winter housing for the critters. The ducks and geese need to be in a straw bale lined hoop house with an enclosure of livestock panels around it and deer netting, to keep them safe. The chickens, well, those that are left after the processing in October, will have to assume their places in the winter coop, which is insulated but still freezes inside. If the birds perch, they cover their feet with their warm bellies and are fine, but those that stay on the coop floor suffer from frozen feet. I am not sure what will happen to Captain Morgan this winter. His feet froze off last winter because he was the low rooster and was not allowed to roost by the main rooster.

The dogs also need warm houses. Straw bales surround their dog houses and the roof is also covered with a foot of straw to keep the heat in. They get at least a foot of straw on the ground as well. Harley suffers from arthritis though, so he may have to sleep inside during the day because he works as  a livestock guardian at night.

The cats slept with the dogs for warmth last year, but the kittens do not feel quite comfortable with the dogs so they will also need a straw bale house.

I acquired a bunch of large 40 and 50 gallon barrels which I plan to cut doors into for the geese and ducks. I just had better hurry up and do this. September is almost done and winter will be on its way real soon, too soon. 

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