The Hens Get Winter Care

It snowed last night, a light dusting of Utah powder, glistened under the porch light as I opened the door to let the dogs out in the wee morning hours.  

 

In the morning when I feed, I love how the ice crystals , the hoar frost, glistens like bright silver stars on each branch and twig. The cold can be a wonderland if ice and steaming breath coming from the nostrils of the llamas. The air is crisp and invigorating provided you are dressed right. There are no wet puddles at this time, just frozen water and crystals. Lot's of crunch underfoot.

There is much attention to the well-being of our fur and feathered friends. Even the wild birds get their water renewed and new seed to eat. We look for steady bodies, clear bright eyes, a good appetite. during feeding, each dear family member is greeted with a smile and a blessing. Anything that needs tending to is done.

Florence has a large comb. We spotted some black spots on the tips. www.facebook.com/littleutahfarm

I saw that a few of the long combed hens had a slight touch of frost bite which blackens the tissue on the tips. After dinner I tippy-toed out to the coop where all 9 girls were nestled side by side on the roosts. I stepped into their sleeping den and passed the flow of infrared red waves from the lamp hanging just so, in the far corner.

It was cozy in there and I always breathe a sigh a relief* knowing they are safe and comfy. They look so big with their down and feathers fluffed to keep them warm. I took out my trusty tube of Vaseline out of my pocket and laid it on the north wall on the shelf.

 Florence was close by and I took her, gently wrapping my hands around her wings and body. She didn't seem to mind. Then I applied a bit of Vaseline to her red comb and wattles. She shook her little head a bit and that was that. I am sure it felt good to her. 

May our black Jersey giant has a large comb that flops over like a ladies hat. www.facebook.com/littleutahfarm

 I searched the line of roosting hens and saw that May was next. Her and Florence have the longest combs. By this time the hens were murmuring to each other. I leaned over and picked up May from the top roost and brought her down. She is our black Jersey giant. Her large powerful wings flapped against my face and I set her down on the shelf and brought her close to my chest and secured the other wing gently against her body with my hand. We both took a deep breath then I began to apply the Vaseline to her comb. I loved the texture of the combs and how pretty they looked with their treatment under the infrared lamps. Their heads are so tiny and to think that God desired a red rubbery comb to jut out right on the center top is an wonder to ponder. 

The hens bodies are full and soft yet you can feel some dominant 
 bones like the breast bone. I set her back on the shelf so she could find her way back to her roost. "Good night, sweeties" I cooed. I made my way past bun bun's rabbitat then ducked under the sharp long icicles at the doorway. The door shut and I latched it.

The white fields of snow crunched underfoot as I walked back to my warm house. I dreamed of an attached barn like a Noah's Ark filled with animals and connected to our home where I could feed them all in my leggings and socks and there is a large solar window to let the sun shine in and on and on the dream goes.

I am smiling as I walk up the back porch and off goes the light.

All is well on Little Utah Farm.

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Wishing you and yours a happy New Year 2016,

Until next time here is a quote:

Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

Deborah Moon Moen of Little Utah Farm