Cabin Fever

The mercury is on the rise.


Even though it is still below freezing, compared to a couple of days ago...
it feels like a heat wave!!


Everyone is enjoying the sun.
O'Malley and her son, Donald, were basking beneath the hay feeder...


It's always good to have a snack bar where you are sunbathing!


The chickens are out for a snack... a tray of kitchen scraps.


And Sammy is enjoying a chicken poop snack...
frozen poopcicles.

Last winter I modified the doors to our chicken coops...
so that there was just a tiny door at the bottom for the chickens.
This, paired with a heat lamp keeps the chicken houses toasty warm.


As for the new waterers...I'm sold!
The chickens had no difficulty switching over to this style,
and the water stays crystal clean.

Down at the duck pond, the ducks were also basking in the sun.


The sunlight put a smile on Jill's face...


but then, Jill always has a smile on her face thanks to her underbite!

While all of the other animals were out enjoying the afternoon,
the pigs were.....


sound asleep beneath their heat lamp!

Sammy went in to awaken them...


And shortly thereafter, Ginger followed him out the door...


with MaryAnn on her heels.


I was filling their water bucket, so MaryAnn came over...


asking for a drink.


She'd be quite happy if we'd install a water fountain for her!


Mmmmm, mmmmm...good to the last drop!


It doesn't take much to make these girls happy!

As for the weather (because we just cannot get enough talk about the weather!)
...it is supposed to continue with a warming trend.
40's this weekend.
Wahoooo!
Goodbye January...not sad to see you go.

(Chicken Florentine soup's on the stove, chewy Italian rolls 'r in the oven.)
PS:  I don't thank you enough for your wonderful comments. 
 Every day it feels like old friends stop for a visit.  
I truly look forward to our chats!

Comments

Anonymous said…
I am glad that you are having a reprieve from the freezing weather. A bit of sunshine always makes things seem more bearable. It is amazing how resilient the animals are though. Except for those spoilt piggies!
The chicken waterers look great. I will have to see if I can find something like that over here. I am always worried the water will run out during the hot weather.

Kathy from Tasmania

P.S I would love to swap houses for a week or two! What fun that would be!
Lynne said…
Love these pics and your delightful story about "the family" and the "heat wave!" Wishing you a sunnier warmer February!
Bee Haven Bev said…
Kathy...you could make the chicken waters yourself. The little valves are available online....as well as the heater (if you wanted them heated) The construction is simple....and cheap!
Bee Haven Bev said…
I am wishing a sunnier and warmer February for the whole country....ok...well, maybe some rain in California!!
Peter said…
I know how you feel. Yesterday, here in New England, it was up to 17 with sun and we were all acting like Spring had come. Enjoy it while it lasts!
Peter
colleen said…
Good morning. I should think a water fountain would be in the near future!! The only bad thing about today is...we have to wait until Monday to hear from you again...we drink coffee on Sat. and Sun. you know :) Take care and enjoy the weekend.
jaz@octoberfarm said…
i bet the critters are in for a good weekend. we are supposed to be in the 50's here tomorrow. horrible me is not ready for spring yet! i also heard we could be in for our biggest snowfall of the season next week. one can only hope!
Candice said…
It seems the weather has been crazy no matter where. Having the sun out makes such a difference, doesn't it? Cold days are more tolerable when it's sunny. Have a wonderful weekend, Bev.
Candice said…
It seems the weather has been crazy no matter where you are. A sunny day makes the cold so much more tolerable, don't you think? Have a wonderful weekend, Bev.
Bee Haven Bev said…
You are too sweet, Colleen. I need Saturday and Sunday to recharge my creative juices!!...and give my neck a break from the camera. Thanks...we are having a quiet weekend at home. You have a good weekend, too!
Bee Haven Bev said…
I am hearing a little ice is headed our way....tomorrow AM...YUCK! Don't mind the winter...but not keen on the ice.
Bee Haven Bev said…
Oh, I agree, Candice...the sun makes all the difference....lifts our spirits!
Anke said…
Where did you get the chicken waterers? I went to tractor supply and our local feed stores to find something to keep our chicken water from freezing and they either didn't have anything or were sold out. We didn't really have snow, but we did have record setting cold temperatures here. May have them and would love to be prepared.
Your knitting looks great, hope you get to enjoy more of it in front of that nice fire this weekend. :-)
You can frame a great shot, whether its the woods or a snout. Kudos.
Junebug said…
I'm beginning to feel like an old friend. I check in every morning, even on weekends, just in case to see what is happening. There are some mornings I feel like you are writing to me personally, don't tell the other blog friends. LOL! All I know is my morning coffee isn't the same with out tails!! Thank you for your creative juices!!! Hugs!
Bee Haven Bev said…
Thanks Anke...you have been my knitting inspiration for years!! I am slowly teaching myself to do more and more. Just tackled cabling.

As for the waterers....two suggestions. The ones that I got were online...look up "cheery chicken waterers"....but I think they are a little pricey. After examining them, I realized that I could make them for a whole heck of a lot less. You can actually buy the little valves online....and they are not easy to put into the bottom of the bucket....drilling a couple holes. The heater is something you can get online for animal water buckets...it doesn't get hot...just keeps the water from freezing.

Or, you can buy small heated water buckets...but the chickens like to poop in them, so it makes for a bit of work keeping them clean.
Bee Haven Bev said…
Why thank you.....photography is a favorite hobby....I still feel like I have so very much to learn. Thanks for the kudos.
Bee Haven Bev said…
June, you are an old friend....one that I wish were not the whole way across the country!! Because if you were closer, we could drop in ....in person and have a visit!!!
Hugs to you, friend!
Anonymous said…
Bev, Your blog is my favorite, and I save it for last before heading out for work each day. I hardly ever comment, but just know there are lots of us out there enjoying your adventures on the farm. -Kathy
Bee Haven Bev said…
Kathy...thank you so very much!!
This N That said…
Do I see leg warmers??? Looks like a color I tried to get but there was only one ball left..Lookin good..I love that Sammy wakes up the piggies..Quite an alarm clock..The only problem with this warming trend is that it could bring icy precipitation...I was enjoying the dry, cold..Oh well, Feb is historically the worst winter month..Guess we'll see..
Country Gal said…
Nice photos ! I dress for it all so I get out with my Miggs almost every day , today is 0°C or 32°F tropical compared to what it had been temp wise so Miggs and I had a nice long walk with out getting the slightest bit cold it was quite pleasant ! Oh and I have seen 5 Robins here this morning already , that brings hope for an early spring ! Thanks for sharing . Have a good weekend !
Ellen in Oregon said…
Nothing like a sunny Winter's day to brighten everyone spirits. Jill is the most photogenic goat I have seen. Her smile always make me laugh. The chicken watering buckets must save you a lot of work. So happy for you that they worked as advertised. Such a simple & clever idea. Ginger & Mary Ann are always so happy to see you. Sometime I would love to hear the story of how the girls came to live with you on the farm. The yarn you are using for your current project is has beautiful color hues. Is it going to be a sweater? Have a wonderful weekend.
Unknown said…
Have a wonderful weekend....got to love that Jill! Another heat wave through Northern California....60 degrees...we only had .19 inches of rain in 53 days! Yes, that is .19 not 19....HA HA.
happyone said…
The smile on Jill's face made me smile right back. : )
Warmed up here too. I even got to take my morning walk outside again. : ) It got all the way up to 34!!!
Bee Haven Bev said…
Ask and ye shall receive, Ellen!! I will post the story of Ginger and MaryAnn's arrival tomorrow. The knitting project was a cowl...for a friend. I am not yet ready to tackle a sweater. Someday....
daisy g said…
It looks so crisp and clear. So glad you are getting a bit of a reprieve. Sunny skies to you!