We've swept some path ways through the snow on the paving outside the back door; and there's an area almost clear of snow, under the large pine tree – they stick to these zones and don't venture across the snowy wastes.
There's a trodden path from the paved area to the hen-house, the track Cliff and I make as we go back and forth to let them out, clean up the hut and collect the eggs; but I noticed another dirty path had appeared in the snow . . . it goes from the area under the pine tree, then halfway to the hut, it stops.
This evening I spotted the flock queuing up along the path . . .
Poor Ginger-Spice, she didn't want to jump/fly did she?! she thought I was going to carry her . . . but YAY! brave Ginger did it in the end :-)
There's a chance we'll get another flurry of snow tonight, but then a thaw is forecast . . . there will be a big sigh of relief from Ginger.
Celia
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can you lay some straw down...? bless em x
ReplyDeleteI have a friend who went out with a hot water bottle to his hens!
ReplyDeleteDom, you're making me feel really mean now :-/
ReplyDeleteElineof - aaaw! Hens cope OK with cold weather as long as it's dry in their hut and they have a crop full of corn at bed time. They snuggle together and keep each other warm. If you do put heat in the hut you need to make sure they don't get a shock if they venture out without fluffing up their feathers first!
ReplyDeleteOh, bless them all the poor little things! I think I would have offered a hottie too.
ReplyDeleteToo funny!
ReplyDeleteHave you ever snuck out and opened the door on them at night? It's like opening the oven! I don't worry about mine now, even in -10 temps. Big Girl hates the snow and I must confess to carrying her occasionally when no-one is looking, but then she is eight years old...
ReplyDeleteI suppose hens are well insulated - they have that lovely fluffy base on each of their feathers, don't they? Still, it must feel a bit nippy round their knees - perhaps you should knit them all some little yellow stockings?
ReplyDeleteOr maybe you should cheer them up by building them a snow-hen?
Wendy's right the temperature in the hut will be nice and cosy with 10 of them snuggled up together.
ReplyDeleteLizzie, do you remember the yellow hens' stockings in Beatrix Potter's 'Mrs Tiggywinkle' ? I adored that picture when I was small - it was my favourite page in the book.
Celia
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Oh, heavens. That snow is barely up their ankles. That's what we consider a dusting! But, in all truth, our hens don't like it much either.
ReplyDeleteI'm with the hens...can't wait for the big thaw!
ReplyDeleteoh cute! poor ginger spice!
ReplyDeletexxx
Celia, how I do love your videos! I would never otherwise know what I do know now about hens.
ReplyDeleteBravo to brave Ginger and those who flew before her.
xo
Very cute. My chickens are the same - they tend to stick to the area just outside their run rather than venturing into the deeper snow. They do look funny when they suddenly sink into the snow under their own weight though.
ReplyDeleteHeated hen houses! Don't shout too loud or my hens will be wanting all the mod cons. Fortuantely for our girls we don't get a lot of snow on the coast. But it does get wet and muddy at this time of year.
ReplyDeleteAt least an inch more snow fell overnight - covering the take-off path!!!
ReplyDeleteThey are getting lots of treats but I'm sure they are longing to peck grass again.
C
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Fewer take offs in snow than Heathrow then?
ReplyDeleteI was going to suggest straw too. I miss having hens.
Lovely! My Marans have mostly huddled indoors and I just hope it's not too draughty - although there are 8 of them, it's a large henhouse.
ReplyDeleteWe have had snow since last Saturday, topped up a bit yesterday .. just as they had finally decided to brave the snow (keeping within 1 metre of home). They have stayed indoors now for all except 2 days out of the 6. Even their indoor water has frozen every night, and the henhouse looks a real chalet now, complete with icicles.
I have to put on layers of clothing to get warm, chickens just fluff up their feathers and trap layers of warm air in there. I do get cold feet! can't you knit them some socks?
ReplyDeleteAww, what a lovely video! I love how they all wait for Ginger too before they go in for the night :)
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