Our setup this year for winter with the animals has been pretty successful. It doesn't take long to get the chores done.
The new kittens are getting bigger.
It's funny to look at these pictures and see the cats all eating together. Now Tesla has no tolerance for the other cats. She eats by herself. If they come to her bowl she will swipe at them. Squirt and Panther eat together out of the same bowl. Phatom gets a little on the ground, as she wants nothing to do with any of them.
The cats have no problem cuddling up together.
Tesla and Panther have been busy catching mice.
Something we decided to do differently was housing the ducks.
They are messy, smelly, and just down right gross.
They get mean with hens if they are in the nesting boxes.
When the pond isn't frozen they will stay on the pond side. If it is frozen, we will put them in a tractor.
Instead of using a tarp we put plastic up on it.
We covered all the sides except for the front.
We put up a feeder for them. It's ready for them when we need it.
The silkies and cochins are the only hens that are currently laying any eggs.
They are enjoying some treats.
The heifers are doing great. We are still moving them.
Maple just takes good pictures.
This isn't a video just a picture. Not sure why it shows that it is.
Cosmo getting his favorite treat.
Cosmo is a spoiled horse.
We are dealing with some frozen waterers.
I got these new bowls that are rubbery and they work great.
You just pop the ice out of them and refill them back up.
The bigger ones are just a little heavier to turn over. But overall it is working. So far we aren't hauling water from the house.
Cosmo enjoying some sunshine.
Mr. T the turkey to the right of Kaitlin has been moved to the stall in the hen house. He has been too dominate with all of us. He will go to freezer camp soon.
Check out all the free loading chickens that aren't laying any eggs.
Momma turkey with her babies that are bigger than her now.
And they happen to both be males. Yikes!
Just relaxin'
Ya know it's getting cold when the guineas want to be on the metal and freeze their feet off. Yes that is exactly what they do. Them darn guineas. I still want more of them.
Still grass for the heifers with some frost on it too.
I am not sure why Hope on occasions will lay in front of the chicken door. No chickens will come out and none will go in. All I hear is a lot of squawking going because the chickens are wanting in the hen house. Silly dog she don't mind if they hop over her.
Isn't he preettttyyyy!
Cosmo always has company when he eats.
The rabbits are doing good. Kaitlin did one breeding before it got cold. But none of them had any babies. I would say I am glad about that. We have since bred all but one of our females. We are looking at a March due date for them. At least the weather should be warmer for them. We only had a few days at a time that their waterers would be frozen then it would warm back up. We have a better water system for them this year.
We are so thankful and blessed with the animals that we have been raising. We are looking forward to seeing what new animals we will bring to our farm in 2020.
