Wednesday 28 February 2018

It has snowed!


One little hen deciding that she is not going outside today. She has surveyed the white stuff, which is something she is unfamiliar with, and decided that it is too much to cope with. She is retreating from the world, that is what she is doing, but only for a moment....


.... because here she is again, having a look to see if the world as she knows it is back to normal. Meanwhile, a little bunch of hens and  their favourite cockerel have ventured outside, but have tucked themselves alongside the wall where there is no snow. 


They are not happy. I wish I could cheer them up by letting them know that the temperatures are going up to 14C in a couple of days, and that soon everything will be back to normal. 

Out in the sheep paddock.....


...they are asking to go across the lane to the Side Field. No point, I tell them, there is snow there as well. They are not fussed with having to eat hay, but at least we still have plenty of hay left to see us through.....




.... and the Front Field, so no grazing to be had there today. 


so indoors the cows and the new calf will 
have to stay.....


But at least Mazzie and Blue are enjoying the snow..


Two hours later, and more chickens have ventured forth....


but there were still some in the hut having a think about things....


These three have been standing as if rooted to the spot. I think they do'nt know what to do next.


What a pleasure it was to wake up and see the snow.


But it will not last long here, just for a few hours, and then it will be gone. 
I love the snow and the way in which a fresh snow fall gives a different look to things. 
I am not so keen on the wet muddiness it leaves behind.
Fortunately here in SW France we don't have much snow though, just enough to have a quick enjoyment of, and then it is gone. 

Am off to cook up a pot of good stuff for the chickens to eat, hoping it might cheer them up. 
They are doing excellent work for us by laying lots of eggs and digging over the veg plots. so I think they need a special treat. 

Saying bye for now,

Vx

14 comments:

tilly said...

How confusing it must be for them and a lovely post from you today, thank you.
Tilly

Vera said...

TILLY, i am glad you enjoyed the post, and I agree with you about the animals feeling confused... I could see by the looks on their faces that they were most thoroughly put out about the way in which the world had apparently changed overnight!

tilly said...

I always enjoy your posts and miss them when you don't. I am afraid I am usually just a reader lol I would love your way of life being brought up on a farm. (different to todays farms)
Tilly

rusty duck said...

If I was in southern France and it snowed I wouldn’t be happy either. Ours is due tomorrow. With a ‘feels like’ of -12. I propose to do as any self respecting hen would do and stay inside!

Coco said...

Just lovely! Our snow didn´t last either, now raining again. New calf! Lambs! Chickens! You will be busy.

Cheers

Unknown said...

Lovely to see the photos.Sounds like lucky chicken with the hot food. Best wishes

Vera said...

TILLY, thanks for your second comment. I, too, tend to read other people's blogs but do not stay to make a comment, but at least my visit will show up on their statistics! We are a mixed small farm and are non commercial, which is why we can have the animals that we do.

Vera said...

JESSICA, at least snow does not linger long here, so I hope your imminent snowfall is minimal as well. Looking forward to Spring. It has been a long, cold, winter here, which is most unusual for SW France.

COCO, having a small farm does keep us busy, but it keeps us fit and active as well, which is a good thing and stops us from drifting along into old age too quickly! Snow now gone, had a good dose of rain, now waiting for the forecasted drop of sunshine to appear.

SHIRLEY, those hens did suffer in the snow, but are back to normal today!

Jean said...

How I wish our snow would be gone by tomorrow!
I hope it's not making life more difficult for you.

northsider said...

Those two cows are really well looked after. Great photos!

Vera said...

JEAN, our snow is all gone now, and the temperatures have risen to 14C. We have a quirky weather pattern here, with the temperature going up and down like a yoyo each day.

Vera said...

DAVE, hope your pipes have stayed unfrozen.....ours have not frozen this winter despite the low temperatures we have had, although the water supplies to the animals have. It has been a hard winter for them this year, but the cows have been indoors for most of the time which is why they look plump and happy.

Rhodesia said...

You have had more than we have had. We have had three lots of snow but none that lasted for more than a couple of hours. It has been though icy cold and one day we were (with chill factor) down to -13C. far too cold for me I just cannot handle it.
Stay warm it will soon be spring (I hope) Diane

Vera said...

DIANE, oh crikey, -13C...now that's cold. Hope it warms up soon for you. We have had higher temperatures since the snow came and went, and like you, the snow was gone within hours, but then we had very high winds and rain before it all settled down. The has been a difficult winter for you, and for us as well. Like you say, Spring will come soon... hopefully!