The hens' stomping grounds become impassible.
Our normally low maintenance free-range hens become high maintenance in snowy weather, and especially so in the blizzard like conditions we recently experienced.
Periodically throughout the day we must knock out the ice from their water bowls and replace it with room temperature water.
They tend only to emerge from their house if tempted with food, and often then quickly retreat. And as they are loathe to walk on too much snow, we have to shovel a series of paths to some of their favorite safety spots.
When weather conditions are this brutal, I reach for my father's Filson Mackinaw Cruiser. Even wind chills of 5 degrees don't penetrate the dense wool.
Counting my chickens (recalling Debo) before locking the door for the night.
During these days of low light, combined with various degrees of molting, the egg production is ridiculously low. Ten hens and one egg.
It's nice to come back inside to a roaring fire.
Given they are completely free-range, this is one of our attempts to warn the UPS Truck.
For me, these activities reinforce a core credo: lifestyle should impact clothes, because clothes certainly impact lifestyle. Without such resistance, one risks the "mall prep" or "resort prep" slippery slope. (See also The Dinghy Test.)
15 comments:
Yes...mall prep..we are familiar with that species.
The chickens at the barn up the street where my daughter works are none to happy with the recent snow here in the Delaware Valley...but they are laying and soldering on...my daughter loves those chickens and is trying to convince me they are smart.
Filson...why not have the best...and thier stuff is...I will be wearing Filson this Sunday at a tower shoot...
@MLS - I am on your daughter's side. We have observed their complex and dynamic social order (and they also have the ability to be exceptionally mean to each other). We are also impressed with their ability to meet their own needs (unlike other animals we have had!): they find their own grit, spots for dust baths (my perennial beds), water in unlikely places, and they always come home to roost, usually about an hour before the sun goes down. And we've watched them evade coyotes, various dogs, and hawks.
Tower shoot - intense!
One Egg?! You would think with 10 chickens you might get at least enough for breakfast. Do you have cows too?
My neighbors awhile back had chickens and we would always enjoy the free, fresh eggs.
I received some nice long sleeve L.L. Bean polos for Christmas that were perfect for today. My daughter and I went out riding and it's usually pretty cold. The polos were so nice, I took my jacket off, however, we rode indoors.
I also recieved my first "real" pearl earrings for Christmas. I've been wearing my grandmothers, which I'm sure weren't real, but they had sentimental value. I took your accessory advice and asked for pearls this year.
We didn't get snow for Christmas, but it's on the way. I'm sure it isn't nearly as much as you've had though.
Stay Warm!
"The girls" tend to be high maintenance in such bitter weather, do they not? They also have their own unique personalities. I must agree with the hens, I wouldn't want to lay an egg on a dark, cold day either! We've not had hens but we did at one time have peafowl and geese. They are entertaining!
I'm sure your Golden will agree, stay by that warm cozy fire as much as possible and have a Happy New Year!
I was wondering how things were going for you, glad that you are well. I have always thought that traditional
(for want of a better word) clothing is usually the best functioning . Plus one looks good wearing them, as you do. As a side note why is MLS shooting a tower?( sorry bad joke)
Fantastic Post! On an entirely different note, are you wearing a guernsey sweater in your profile picture? I had an opportunity to purchase one years ago in London but hesitated, do you have a source stateside?
Love this post. Also your sign. My in laws had a chicken ranch, this would have been appropriate back in the day.
You manage to make tending the chickens look like an elegant pursuit. Appropriateness is always key, oui?
Most of my hens refused to go out for the last few days - this morning I brooked no complaints and sent them all out into their run. My chickens (28 of them) are reasonably intelligent, but the Speckled Sussex are geniuses - too smart for their own good sometimes. Thank you for all of your sage wardrobe advice - it's wonderful to have someone with a keen eye for quality evaluating the current offerings.
You are soo lucky to have hens and chickens- we are not allowed here in Sea Pines, SC -too many rules in tis gated plantation...
happy new year, Susie
@Susan - We have slacker hens! I would have cows in a heartbeat. It's my husband...
Your polos sound great, as do the pearls. What colors did you get? (Picture me sitting in a room full of Tiffany executives, at their headquarters, while wearing absolutely no jewelry except the pearl earrings you describe. My husband got lots of accusatory looks!)
@Mona - Peafowl and geese sound highly entertaining! High maintenance "girls" - what are the odds?!
@James - Considering what NYC got, we were lucky. And I am the fortunate recipient of one of the few sartorial missteps that my father made. He bought his Filson in too small a size, hence it is only a tad large for me.
@Ian - Thank you! Yes, it is a Guernsey, and here is a link to the post I did. The only place I know that sells them is a store called The Granite Hall Store, in a very small coastal town in Maine (Round Pond). They usually close for the winter, but call them at 207.529.5864 and speak to Sarah, the owner. She is exceptionally lovely and has been carrying Guernseys for decades. She usually restocks in the Spring.
I have Bright Navy and Bright Elm, but will be returning for Carnation and White.
I used to wear RL polos, but have found them to be too short in the length. I hate when they come untucked, drives me round the bend. Bean's polos are just the right length.
I'll have to ask for the pearl necklace for our anniversary. I like the 7 mm size. Not too large, not too small.
I'm not opposed to wearing diamond earrings either. A small, tasteful size is perfectly acceptable to me.
Oh no...your husband doesn't really work for Tiffany does he? That could be awkward.
@mary anne - I should put up a picture of a decidedly less elegant aspect - cleaning out the coop!
@Barbara - I love the Speckled Sussex. Perhaps I will get some of them next time. I also want to try the Buff Orpingtons. Twenty eight - that's a lot.
@B&P - A gated plantation in SC is sounding awfully appealing right about now.
@Susan - Returning for more, or returning the Navy and Green? Those four colors sound like a perfect grouping of shades. (My husband has worked with some people there, but he has his own company.)
Nice birds.
I live in Stonington and have 17 Marans hens, 3 or 4 just started laying and the rest will follow suit over the next 2 months. Beautiful eggs!
Giving the hens hot water everyday helps get eggs!
Peter
@Peter - We got two Marans by mistake, (they look a lot like Barred Rocks as chicks)but if we knew how lovely there were, we would have ordered more on purpose. I like their sweet and low-key personalities and their speckled eggs are beautiful. (Although I haven't seen one in so long now!) Stonington is one of my favorite towns.
Subjects of my favorite photographs: snow and animals, and what better than to combine the two! I certainly hope the delivery people are cautious on your property. --Holly in PA
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