I went out to the flock this morning and faced frozen water in the hen yard. I had gotten out of the habit of pouring out their water at night because the temps had gone above freezing. With my trusty screwdriver, I chipped at the ice which had frozen 1/2 inch thick in the middle and clear down to the bottom around the edges of the heavy roaster pan that I keep their water in. I've never encountered such a freeze before--probably because, I don't usually leave the water in the pan on such a cold night.
When I came out, I greeted them with. "Well, everyone, we made it to mid winter. Within a week, you'll start to notice the days lengthening!" It always makes my heart glad to see them scratching in their spacious yard under a thick cover of willow branches.
I've reinforced the cockerels' shelter, and their little space is heated by their warm feathered bodies and the composting pile below their perch. They were eager to get out of their coop and I think when it warms up a bit, I'll turn them into the larger yard to scratch and forage.
It's a beautiful day with the sun shining through a clear blue sky. Happy Solstice Day to one and all.
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