The Price of Winter

With the slightly warmer weather we've had this week,

I've been able to open the henhouse doors wide.

During the colder winter months,

I try to conserve a little warmth in the houses and either clip the doors open

at about 6 inches, or close them and open the tiny doors that I made in the bottoms

of the doors.

This helps to keep the precipitation out of the houses and

with the heat lamps on keeps the houses warmer.

Unfortunately, though, not only the chickens and guineas enjoy the protection from the elements...

but so do the starlings.

Starlings are quite the nuisance in the winter months...

eating me out of house and home 

and then leaving piles of guano all over the insides of the henhouses.

Normally, I fill the chicken feeders daily...

and on most days they eat half of the food.

However, when the starlings are visiting, the feeders need filled twice daily.

(I might as well tear up cash and feed it to the starlings!)

On those days, when 50 or 60 starlings are huddling in the henhouses,

afternoon chores end up looking like a scene from the birds,

as I open the doors and a flock of birds comes flying out at me!

So, for the past week, with warmer temps, the doors have remained open....

and no starlings!

Yesterday was one of those days that kept us all in the house.

First snow then rain...

not enough to accumulate, but enough to keep these gals inside...

and amazingly, these gals as well!

With time indoors,

I was able to finish another knitting project...

Two baby hats!

PS....look who's pretending to love her green veggies!
(she doesn't, really.)