Now, where did I leave that?

Friday, December 28, 2012

Snow vs Corn

Christmas has come and gone. There was warmth and laughter, and I really loved relaxing in the living room listening to my sons cooking together (nope, they aren't chefs). The Hobbit was pretty good, not nearly as good as Fellowship of the Ring (but then, what is?), but fun; I even appreciated the 3D version which I had really disliked for Alice in Wonderland. 

We awoke Christmas morning to a bare dusting of snow that day, but Wednesday night received our first significant snow, a whopping 5". Sigh...I remember growing up, 50 miles south of here, when snow was plentiful and frequent. Now a 5" snowfall is newsworthy and could conceivably be the biggest snowfall we get this season. And we live in the foothills of the Catskill Mountains!  Anyway, we kept the chickens cooped yesterday, but this morning I fed them some hot oatmeal with shredded apple in their coop (wow, was that a big hit!), shoveled the snow away from the pophole and gave them a small clearing scattered with scratch corn. I opened the wee door and waited...

Hmmmm....something is different....














What the hell is this white stuff???













Is that corn on the white stuff???













Why yes, it is corn!




















You two can stay out here if you want; I'm heading back inside where my feet are warm!













I keep peeking out at them to see if they're venturing past the cleared area. So far they seem to prefer the pophole ramp. Maybe when the sun comes out, they'll appreciate the warmth and fresh air. 

Shhhhhhh....don't tell them another inch or two of snow is forecasted for tomorrow!

16 comments:

turquoisemoon said...

OOoh what a cute post! Just sweet...

Jen said...

That was fun--I want more posts with talking chickens!

AkasaWolfSong said...

It was fun, lol! I'd like more posts with talking chickens as well. Too cute!
xoxoxo

Robin Larkspur said...

Awww, poor chickens. I think you better get some wool out and knit them nice warm booties. And little scaves and hats.

Ashling said...

@ Robin...ya know, other than my son's blanket (was supposed to be for LAST Christmas, then this Christmas...ah well, 2013 is a good year), I have no projects on needles at this moment, so maybe chicken socks would be a great idea!

@ Akasa & Jen, I'll see what I can do, brush up on my chicken-interpretation skills.

@ Turquoise Moon, glad it made you smile!

Our Neck of the Woods said...

So funny! That's basically what my chickens did, too! Scratch always persuades them to come out :)

Akannie said...

LOL...my chooks are getting oatmeal this morning too...but yesterday I found a big patch of chickweed that is not terribly messed up by the cold and snow we've had. They ate like queens yesterday! But I will grate a carrot into the oatmeal too, because they do love carrots...

Happy Holidays, Ashling....

Nancy J said...

If your chookies are like our cats, who have seen snow just once, they will skuttle back inside and keep their little feet warm and dry. Hot food, a real treat. Hope they do heed the forecast, and stay in, and if you would like more snow " Let it snow!" Greetings from Jean

Suze said...

That was a really cute post, Ashling. I enjoyed reading it.

I've been a bit worried about diminished snowfall since our entire, global ecosystem so mightily depends on it.

Doc Teri said...

The pictures are fantastic...well done! I will look for patterns for chicken booties, but I'm not sure I'll be successful. I knit a lot, and was enchanted by your earlier posts about wool when you first started. I've never tried to make my own yarn, but I'm going to check out some of the links you've provided. I'd love to learn. Alas, one of my greatest phobias is bees, so I don't see myself trying bee-keeping any time soon, however.

jp@A Green Ridge said...

We too had some snow during the week and we're getting another 6 inches tomorrow....YEAH!

Linda said...

LOL that is my girls exactly....Now they just look outside then look at me as if to say are you crazy we are staying inside....On the sunny days I lay some hay outside the door for them to walk on...they love that...They are so comical with snow... We are getting buried here...a foot yesterday and another 8 expected tonight...I am ready for spring...
LOL

XO

Anonymous said...

Hi Ashling,
I just wanted you to know that I nominated your blog for the Illuminating Blogger Award. If you are interested in seeing it you can go here:
http://apolishgranddaughter.wordpress.com/2012/12/30/illuminating-blogger-award-who-me/
If you are not into blogger awards that is fine. You don't have to do anything with it. I just felt that your blog was so deserving of it. Love the chickens!!
Shel

Michaele said...

We saw the Hobbit yesterday. I though the actor that played Bilbo was simply amazing! Your chickens are braver than mine. The will NOT come out for anything.

Ashling said...

@Shel--thank yo so much! That was most kind of you!

Willow said...

Just found your and went for a browse came across this post and had to laugh as our chickens tend to have the same opinion about snow ... and now as I am listening to the weather they are predicting 18 inches for tomorrow ... hmm new interesting chicken photos in large amounts of snow ~ soon to be up on my blog . The challenge is on ! Lol