Afraid of the Snow

I had written a post about my chickens last, and I do try to give a bit of a break from that with other things, but this one I've just got to share with you.  We finally got some snow that's gonna stick around here in New Hampshire.  I've not been in a big rush for it because, well, our driveway is a nightmare...vertical and death defying at best in slippery weather. Not to mention that at the bottom of the driveway just across the road is our neighbor's house, right next to the road.  I often have visions of my car not stopping and having 3600 pounds of minivan sitting in their living room.  I know, it's scary, and for those of you that have been here, you know I'm not lying or exaggerating.

Well, along with that snow comes a new joy to behold.  My chickens are afraid of the snow. My normally brave and aggressive roo won't come off the ramp onto the snow.  I let them out the morning after it has snowed, and he jumped down without a care only to stand stock still and not move.  His head movements and eyes-wide stare showed just what was up.  He was terrified of the snow.  He stayed like that for minutes, I imagine trying to decide what the heck to do next.  He tried picking up a foot and stepping, but was having none of that.  He finally stood still and then flew back up onto the ramp and strutted himself right back into the coop...where he, along with the girls, remained for 3 days without coming out.  The girls figured if Pete Rose was not okay with that horrifying, crunchy white stuff, well neither would they be.  Funny, funny stuff. 

After a bit I went in to shovel a path for them (see previous post about how pampered my chickens are, yes Laura, okay, you might be right).  I got it down to the leaves in the also afforementioned post, and they would finally come out onto those.  We've had some warming since then and all that I uncovered has give way to earth again. So, they are outside now and again.  They had been in the coop for the better part of a week without coming out much.  We had a cold snap in there too and 2 of the days I kept the doors closed to let them preserve the heat and try to keep their featherless backs warm enough.  Needless to say, the coop was not smelling...how shall we say...it's rosy best.  UGH.  So, I finally got them all out of it yesterday with trickery and bribery. I'm not above it when the situation calls for it, I firmly believe that's what "scratch" feed was made for.  It's like candy for chickens.  I was able to get them all out so I could take a rake to the coop and scrape out all the bedding that needed freshening.  When I opened their coop this morning, I was not met with a chicken poo stench, but the fresh smell of pine shavings and a clean waterer.  That's the way to start a morning, happy chickens make happy owners.

I know, but I take my joys however they come to me these days. It's the nature of my life.

Wishing you pine scent-iness and happy chickens of your own, ~Peacemom