The End of January in Farm Photos

It seemed cold and dreary this week at the farm.  Many of the animals stayed huddled together.  

Everyone in the chicken house getting ready for bed!

This little hen is a guest in the chicken hospital- a straw filled dog crate in my warm office.  She has been keeping to herself and not eating much so I want to keep an eye on her and make sure she gets some extra healthy food and lots of warm water.  Cute isn't she?

Waking up...

A close call with a goose beak..

Couldn't give this chicken a blond wig again if I tried.  What do you think of the look?

My shoulder makes a nice perch.

"It's cold out.  May I come inside?"

Whose print is this?  This belongs to Cherokee, our male (Tom) turkey.

With increased hours of sunlight each day, the hens start to lay more eggs!

"Do you have any food for me?" asks Traveler.

Good Morning Gandolf!

Our Morning Ritual

My daily morning conversation with Gandolf:

Me: "Good Morning Gandolf. How are you? Heard you barking all night. Did you chase away any bad guys?" 

I put down his food, fill his water. Grab him in a neck hold.

Me: "Who loves you, Gandy? Me, I love you. I love you so much!"

Kiss on head and I'm off.

A snowy, snowy day on the farm!

It is a snowy day here in Northern Virginia.  We don't get much snow so people get excited when we get an inch.  Everything shuts down.  Today, we have about three inches on the farm and it seems only the new batch of ducks is noticing.  They hatched this summer and this is their first snow experience.  They weren't real excited to step outside!

*** I know you'll ask about Gandolf, the Great Pyrenees.  We love this guy and he isn't always locked up.  However, he is an escape artist and a wandering Nelly so until we have fencing that he can't breech, he is locked up unless supervised.  Even then we have to be inside a fenced area of the farm- which is most anywhere- because he doesn't listen to commands.  In addition, he still thinks the chickens are play things.  Not a mean bone in his body but I don't think the birds like being tossed in the air like balls.  Love the guy, but he's an independent spirit.  Sometimes I feel bad for him but I would feel worse if we lost him or if he were run over by a car.  So know he is loved and that he has plenty of freedom.

Gandolf the Great Pyrenees of Ivandale Farms

This guy has the biggest heart.  Love him.