What a roller coaster for temperatures-starting off with no snow, meeting in the middle with 4 inches of snow and ending with a balmy 58 degrees. The snow accumulation made for some mud and standing water in spots. After all, it is a swamp here.
On the weekends, I try to refresh the straw in Cluckingham Palace. Not all of the straw just the soiled parts. With 23 chickens and 2 ducks bunking in there, it can get smelly. Strict supervision and a rigid inspection, the Ladies are in charge of OPERATION STRAW.
Crackers the duck was not feeling well. Maybe she spent too much time in her near freezing pond? After a cuddle session with Tommy and a heating pad, she was back to normal. Ducks do not like to be separated so as soon as Sebastian McQuackles realized Crackers was no where in sight-the loud quacking ensued. Sebastian worked her way up to the guest bathroom with her quacking. After a warm bath and several bowls of vitamin water, we tucked them into bed in a dry bathtub. We had a duck sleepover to keep an eye on Crackers. Not a quack came out of those girls all night and I am happy to report-Crackers is back at it in the pond with her Partner in Crime.
The snow this past week was soft. No ice. If I had to live with snow everyday, I would only agree if it was soft. The sheep don't let the snow hamper their hay time. Their wool is getting thick and is at least 3 inches deep. So the layer of snow on their backs seems to be a sheet of insulation.
We ended our week with a romp in the woods and working in the garden with the Ladies of Cluckingham. The woods danced in the peaking sunlight and had several areas of standing water. Last year, I neglected the 5 year plan on the potager garden and had grass growing in some plots that was as tall as me. I chose to let the grass die before conducting a war on weeds. Armed with my best weapon-The Ladies of Cluckingham. Wreck the seeds and the crickets, Ladies.
Inspectors of Straw
Real men cuddle ducks
Inseparable
Don't care about snow
Puddin Pop & Freddy D
Decimate, Ladies