After several days of double digit below zero wind chills and another big snow/ice storm (not as big as they originally predicted but big enough), it was not just the chickens and guinea hens who were relieved to finally get out of their confines!
Although we try to get out as much as possible in the winter, we do have our limits of what kind of weather we’ll go out in. We had to break out all the indoor games for Luke, but it’s just not the same as getting out in that fresh air. It was a huge relief when on Wednesday the temperatures finally got back into the tolerable zone. They’re now actually going further in the other direction than they need to…but we’ve learned that Mother Nature is all about extremes, that’s for sure.
As soon as the thermometer hit 20 degrees, Luke and I headed out for our walk. The birds were let out of the coop by then, but not completely out yet. As you can see in the below photo, they weren’t too interested in walking in the snow that had piled up in their run, so later I would let them out of the run too. (I have tendonitis in my dominant shoulder and shoveling aggravates it, otherwise I would have shoveled them more space).
The Dadz had put some straw down outside for them the day before, and that’s where they all wanted to stand! They had gotten out the previous day, even though it was still only about 15 degrees and windy. The guineas ventured up high into the sunshine at first, but mostly everyone stayed in the garage and barn. It was still so cold I was only willing to take pictures of them from through the window!
The next day they could venture further once I could keep an eye on them. Luke and I had planned a nice, long walk, but the snow was DEEP out there, and even with my snowshoes on it was hard going for me. Luke did something he rarely does too, he dropped back behind me to follow in my tracks (we lost all our old tracks and trails due to the additional snow)! Then at one point he just stopped and wouldn’t go any further. We turned around and followed our previous trail and he was happy with that.
In previous winters, I’d always gone out ahead and blazed snowshoe trails for the dogs. Our little beagle Cricket had arthritis, so I had to make it easier for her. I thought Luke could handle some trail blazing with me, but I think he got tired, and his paws and legs probably still got cold as well. With two days of rain coming up (crazy, right??), I’m going to hold off making new trails until we see how things settle. It may be easier after the rain. Either way, Luke and I still got a good walk in – I was tired afterwards anyway! I brought him back to the house and was going to make some more trails, but I just didn’t have the energy (darn that I’m not as young as I used to be).
Hopefully the upcoming rain doesn’t land us back inside again. Now that we have farm birds, we seem to understand the origins of the expression of being “cooped up” just a bit more. While it’s better for the birds to have a smaller space so they stay warmer in the winter, I imagine it feels really small when they’re stuck in there all day for several days in a row. We all are learning to appreciate our freedom lately!
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I don’t blame you for staying in. When it’s super cold, we modify walks. That is the only time Sampson goes out to potty. 🙂
We had a rainy, blustery day last Thursday. One of my dogs refused to go out. I’ll let you guess which one. 🙂
I’m so glad Luke has his yard to go out in to potty, so I can hibernate when needed! There has been a couple mornings where he really balked about going out there (if I only had a nickel for every time I opened the door and he didn’t go through it!)….so he feels Delilah. It’s Delilah, right? 🙂
I kept picturing the chickens and guineas wearing little boots out in the snow! LOL! We were watching the news last week and they were showing all the snow and frigid weather. Skipper said, “That’s where Jan lives!” BRRR!!
It was nice of Skipper to think of us!! I think the birds do wish they had boots!
That’s a lot of snow and cold. Glad everyone could get out a bit.
We’re starting to feel ready for spring already!
Rain?!? Crazy. I’m so glad that you can generally be out and about again. It sure is frustrating the way that winter trails disappear after a weather event. I hate it. We are having avg 25 mph winds with higher gusts today… and all of the trails that I made have disappeared. I feel like Sisyphus 😉
I know what you mean!! We did at least retain our trails through the rain, and it packed them well to make walking easier for Luke. We still have a lot of new trails to break yet though.
Huh. I guess when it’s snowy and cold, there’s only need for one foot to be in the snow? Just tuck that second one for warmth (I’m going to have to try that). I love to see all the personalities you’ve got going on there with the guineas and the chickens.
I’d probably fall over if I tried it. LOL. The other thing you’ll see them do is just sit down so they can keep both feet warm. 🙂
‘Being cooped up’…now that made me chuckle.
I never thought about it so literally. 🙂
Those are all great pics, but the one of the 2 guineas up on the snow covered roof is really cool-and COLD! I think you can tell by how deep blue that sky is, that it means its cold! I am afraid it is going to be a huge icy mess after the rain when it gets cold again-crazy topsy turvy weather still is the pattern! Hugs to my farm family
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It must have been nice to get out and about! Love seeing the guineas against the blue, blue skies!
It was nice to finally have that blue sky too!
I’m glad you guys finally got out of the house. I’m just curious – how did you decide that 20 degrees was the acceptable temperature?
Just by observing Luke when we do walk. If it gets much below 20 degrees, he stops and holds his paws up!
All I can say is….double digit below zero!!!
I know, right??!! 🙂
We’ve had two nice days where the sun was out and it was almost 60 degrees in the sun. I agree that the days come and go weather wise. One day tolerable and the next freezing cold.
I love your country living.
Have a fabulous Thankful Thursday. Scritches to Luke. ♥
Thank you, and we hope you’re having a great weekend! 60 degrees sounds heavenly right now! 🙂
I’ll bet it was good to get out n’ about for a little bit and the chickens don’t look overly impressed with the snow! Thanks for joining the Thankful Thursday Blog Hop!
It sure was! We have another cold snap coming, but we’ve at least been able to get out more lately.
Winter rain is miserable. Hopefully we are over that now since it has turned cold. Glad everyone had a chance to get out a little bit.
The rain was the worst, and just led to more ice again. But luckily we had enough snow to at least absorb a lot of it! I think we are done with that for now anyway.
Looks like the chickens are doing fine in the snow.
They don’t love it, but they manage!! 🙂
we are no fans of mr. winter… but the guineas on the roof im winter look super impressing :o)
It is fun to watch how they react to the snow too! 🙂
I know just how it feels to go for a walkie in the crisp winter Aire after being cooped up for a few days. It’s pure Heaven!
It sure is!!