Around The Farm In January

I brought out a new hay bale and set it inside the bale feeder. Then I removed the frozen outer layer and tossed it, good side up, on the ground to provide bedding and snacking:

The bale feeder has remained on the east side of the barn for most of the winter because it shelters the herd from harsh westerly winds. Alas, it can't help them if the winds come from other directions:

The cows and horses are like family now, and all get along well:

Each morning after a light snow, I check for footprints. This fox and bird, likely a Bluejay, crossed paths in front of my car during the night or early morning - at different times, as there was no blood:

The fox walked toward the barn and, I believe, went inside. I've chased them out of there on a few mornings. I don't like that but there seems to be little I can do about it:

The farm house has stood for over a century against brutal cold temperatures and harsh winds. It continues to provide warmth and shelter, though I have to crank the heat up when it's both cold and windy:

I move the bale feeder with each new hay bale and the animals love to clean up what is left of the old bale. Or sometimes they just sleep on it:

These two Easter Egger bantams are part of my little flock. One of the darker brown hens lays a surprisingly large egg every other day. All the other hens have quit for the winter:

The white fantail pigeons remain in pairs but they too have quit laying eggs for the winter:

Large flocks of wild turkeys frequent the corn fields on my road, and I often stop to watch them even though it makes them nervous:

I go out to do the morning chores just as the sun is coming up. I do the evening chores before it becomes too dark. There are lights in the barn, but I like to be able to see what I'm doing outside:

If I stop the tractor with a hay bale on the spear, Remy runs over to grab a mouthful. It's been stored outdoors, so the outer layer must not taste very good, but as it says in Proverbs, "Stolen water is sweet" Remy delights in grabbing something he thinks he isn't supposed to have:

Winter Arrives In The North Country

Our temperatures began dropping after a warm autumn, but the fantail pigeons seemed comfortable and warm enough. Any babies hatched now will have little chance of surviving, though:

 The chickens have been eating well because I had excess beans and rice, more than I could eat, and have been feeding them to the hens:

 Their egg production, however, has pretty much stopped for the winter:

 I caulked around the chickens' door, hoping to keep them extra comfortable this winter:

 One morning I found ice all over everything, including the grass, and temperatures as low as 8 F were predicted for the next several days (along with snow and ice):

 So I put the bale spear on the tractor and hauled the first of 88 bales out to the pasture:

 I unwrapped the bale and dropped it into the bale feeder:

 The only problem was that the herd had spent a week in the far field, not even coming in for water. I had to go rouse them and drive them back through the gate into the main south field:

 Blue stood his ground until all the other animals were gone. I wanted to close the gates for the winter, but first I had to go get Blue and convince him to move:

 All the animals were happy to see the hay bale and they dug into it with gusto:

And they wasted quite a bit too:

 The next day our temperatures dropped and we had a snowstorm, so I hung the bird feeders, much to Daisy's delight (that's her in the window):

The Further Adventures Of Blue And Remy

Remy always comes to greet me and see what mischief he can get into when I bring a new hay bale in for the herd:

Blue, being more shy, usually stands off to the side and waits:

Sometimes the big cows won't let them get to the new hay bale, so I toss some hay off for Blue and Remy:

The tractor and bale spear are necessities. I can't imagine having this many cattle and horses without them:

I do the morning chores as soon as it begins to get light, and it's often an occasion for pink skies. In this case, I was checking on Blue and Remy because they didn't come in for grain. I found them with the cows, ignoring me:

Both little guys have very thick winter coats and don't seem to mind the cold at all:

They got lucky on this day, for the cows were all on one side of the bale feeder, leaving the opposite side open for them to eat hay. Of course they can also get into the barn and eat hay at any time:

Why is this photo blurry? Because Remy walked into the barn and found the two calves eating his hay. He was chasing them out:

Who, me?

Remy's mane has developed some reddish highlights, though they look redder in photos than in real life:

It's a peaceful life for the little guys:

Blue was scratching away the snow, looking for edible plant material. Both horses spend much time doing that, even when they have plenty of good hay:

The Red Poll Ladies

Maggie and Tabitha are growing rapidly and play together often. Tabitha, the older, bigger calf, has become bolder and more friendly than any calf I've had yet. Of course she's not as friendly as a hand raised dairy calf, but for a field raised animal, she's developed quite a likeable personality:

The hay supply is dwindling rapidly despite my attempts to stretch it. These big girls need a lot of fuel to keep them going:

Tabitha is ear tag number 2, Maggie is number 12:

Tabitha comes into the calf feeder area for grain each morning but Maggie never quite figured it out. I now give Maggie grain alongside the big cows, but she has to eat rapidly because the big cows take her grain as soon as they finish their own. Since they're all on diets, I try to remove the food bowl before a big cow gets to it, but I'm not always successful:

The two lactating moms get four cups of grain per day and the others get two cups (the calves only get one cup). Little Maggie has begun eating at that empty space you see in this photo:

Scarlett with her own calf and her granddaughter. Scarlett always has a badly swollen teat which is too big for her calves at first. But as soon as they grow large enough, they drain all four teats:

Gracie is, I hope, pregnant but she's on a diet also. Her girth is from fat, not because she's carrying a calf:

A tender moment as Scarlett licks her calf, Maggie. Scarlett was one of my least favorite cows when they first arrived, but she's developed into my most productive animal and her personality has blossomed as well:

You can see the bale spear on the front of the tractor. I had just dropped a new hay bale into the feeder:

The hay bale feeder is not only a place to eat, it also makes a soft, dry place to nap - especially if you are a little calf who doesn't need too much room:

The horses are seldom seen at the bale feeder, but recently they've been giving it a try:

As I type these words, I am longing for the days when the pasture looked so green and welcoming. Since this photo was taken, we've had our first snowstorm - and it was a doozy! We are currently buried in snow and ice: