Well I think today we must address winter weather, as it is only fitting. We are currently in the midst of a true Wyoming blizzard. We are having gusts of 30-40mph with a sustained wind of at least 25mph. Oh and did I mention the snow that is also falling...er blowing sideways? So you get the picture it is not the best of conditions out there. It should also be noted that chickens can tolerate the cold much easier than the heat. However, a cold wet chicken is altogether another story. First, have you ever smelled wet feathers? Trust me, it is gross! Second, think about a nice down coat or comforter...nice and toasty when it is dry and the air can circulate between the feathers. But when it is wet, not so great at insulating anything. Well my girls all have a nice layer of down that keeps them toasty warm, but they do need help staying dry.
As we were (yes, Kevin helped me this morning) hauling down a fresh watering fount and breakfast this morning I noticed that about five of the girls had made their way out of Cluckingham Palace, through their yard and under the Coop DeVille coop (CDC). I must note that the CDC is elevated and has walls on three sides. The girls no longer use this coop for sleeping and laying since the digs in the Palace are so much nicer and roomier, but they do spend a lot of time under this coop because it provides great shelter from the wind, snow and sun. So the five girls who had ventured out were quickly becoming snowed/drifted in under the CDC. So after feeding and watering the smart girls who were still cozy and dry in the Palace we went to rescue the others. After tromping through drifts we made it around the Palace and inside their yard. Upon further inspection we can see that some of them are covered with snow, they are wet and cold. You see, they do not really like walking in the snow and their yard was drifting in and they were basically stuck under the CDC. Well we were able to lure them out a way with some breakfast. I have to say, that watching a chicken get blown backwards in a blizzard is quite a sight. Those poor girls didn't know which way was which. They were trying to go after the feed, but the ground blizzard that was pelting them from every direction was making it rather difficult. It only took me a few minutes to get them all rounded up, picked up and deposited back into the warm, cozy and dry Palace. Kevin promptly went back inside and closed their automatic door, locking them in for the rest of the day and night.
I know that they are just chickens, but they are my girls, and I love them dearly. I know that those five are inside the coop now telling the others about getting caught in the blizzard and not being able to make it back to the Palace. I just know there will come a day when they are all lazing about in the heat of the summer talking about the blizzard on New Year's Eve of 2011, and how Momma Hen came to their rescue.
So I will go collect eggs later and take them some kind of New Year's Eve treat. I will remember the camera and snap a few shots of them partying it up, chicken style!
I think it's funny to watch them get blown about by the wind. When it's nice out. Mine will sort of put their wings out and take off. They can catch some serious air when they have a bit of wind behind them.
ReplyDeleteOur girls all stayed inside while it was blowing and snowing then came out when the sun did. It was one weird day, blizzard all over by 10:30am. They do hate the snow too. Must not like cold feet.