I ran into the same thing.. I spent all day plucking chickens out of the snow who didn't have sense to stay where it as dry & putting them back in the coop area that was sheltered. They would just stand there in shock.. looking completely bewildered by the snow. I locked mine up around 4:30. Threw some bread inside & closed it up.
Achicken Christmas story
I won't be letting anyone out of the birdhouse tomorrow with the predicted temps. The wild birds will have to stay in there too unless they get out when I open the door to put out fresh water and more feed. I'll add bo sunflower seeds to the rations in there tomorrow for more calories for everyone. My banty hens are still laying a few eggs even in this weather. I've even thought about buying some laying mash to make hot gruel for them this winter. I use to do that all the time. Hot in the winter, cold in the summer. When we had lots of ducks and geese as well as chickens that kept us and others in eggs year around no matter what the weather.
GOD bless and keep each and all of you.
EvaMae
Leaflady, what is Gruel?
A mix of laying mash and water or other liquid. Kind of like the hot cereal we would eat. I've heard hot cereal called gruel most of my life. I think it is a southern term. I even made it for my goats, cattle, horses, pigs, and any other farm animal we had. I don't think the sheep ate it very well if I remember correctly but they were the only ones who didn't love it especially in the winter months.
Definitely a 2+Kleenex story. Wonderfully told, too.
Gruel is a British word, too; I think Dickens used it.
We feed our chickens inside the coop when it's miserable out, and although we open the doors they usually stay inside. It's raining out now and washing away the two feet of snow we got, so theoretically they could venture forth. Some of them did, this morning, because I also spread some food outside where the geese could get it. We have young Cuckoo Marans and Cherry Eggers that were hatched in the beginning of July, and they're laying up a storm! We do provide light in the coop, though.
I give them no extra light. The only thing different is my coop has a clear roof. I'll let mine out, but that's only bc the coop is on legs & they can get under it to dig around.
That was a beautiful story, I even enjoyed the tears! Thank you for sharing Jyl... it was awesome, and perfect for Christmas. You can bet I will also join in every year!
You need to ZZ where ever you are. We will all celebrate together...
Ditto to what MissJ said ^_^
Thank you so much for such a beautiful story. For the first time all week, I'm glad that I have had a cold, and a box of Kleenex next to me. I think what got me so much is that my girls too are pets. They will fly up on my lap and rub their combs against my cheek. They just started doing that. They are 8 months old now, and the bond between us is amazing, and growing every day. We've had to keep them in the house a lot the last couple months because of all the snow, and the below zero weather. As much as I've hated all the snow and cold weather, and the poopy clean ups, I wouldn't have traded that time with them for anything.
Thanks everybody. The book is back in the works!
Hooray! Glad you're reinspired and up for the effort!
Remember we get to be first in line to buy it... I am looking forward to it.
A belated but heartfelt "thank you", J., for your beautiful Christmas tale. Good friends and good animals bring so much to our lives, don't they?
The people on Dave's will be the first to know when it is finished. I wouldn't have what it takes to get back to it without you.
Oh, what a lovely story and yes, I had tears in my eyes at the end, too! Folks without chickens will never realize what they're missing! The personalities, the antics, and yes, the eggs - all wonderful!
Happy New Year!
Jyl -if you ever wonder again...take a look at the lurkers speaking out because of this.... ^_^