Day 346
Winter is just around the corner, even if it has been milder than expected. As the temperatures steadily decline, some of the daily farm chores become much trickier. The garden has been winterized, so all we really have to do is wait for spring to return so we can get the garden green and growing. The trail and lawn won't need mowing, so the mowers and related equipment are hibernating for the winter. In fact, the majority of the outdoor chores are on hiatus until the warm weather returns.
While it might seem like things slow down, it doesn't necessarily feel that way.
Our flock of chickens needs daily care regardless of weather conditions. Some of the tasks that are easier in warm weather get more difficult as the temperatures drop and are nearly impossible when the temperatures dip below freezing.
I’ve mentioned before that the lack of running water and the inability to use the rain barrels in cold weather make fresh water collecting more of a workout, but the daily walks back and forth from house to barn with fresh water are nothing compared to winter cleaning.
Chickens are not the cleanest of creatures. That being said, they do tend to do most of their dirty work while they roost. In other words, the areas right below where they roost for the evening are in constant need of cleaning to keep the piles of poo and scent of manure under control.
Normally, I take a bucket and a scraper through the coops every few days to clear piles. I then dump the bucket right into our compost pile so it can slowly transform into garden gold.
When the freezing weather settles in, the piles of poop become frozen and extremely hard to clear.
Winter cleaning is much more frantic. On the occasional days the weather thaws out a bit, I take advantage and try to do major manure maintenance.
On warm winter days, you might see people going for a walk, going for a nice drive, sipping hot cocoa, and enjoying the wonderful winter wonderland. You’ll find me scraping poop in a coop. Just another day in the life of a chicken farmer.
