Winter is well and truly here.
Yesterday morning it was -6F (-21C) in the sun.
The goats are all well-dressed for Winter, but I saw both Betula (above) and LeShodu (below) hold up one hoof for a few moments when I was collecting the empty breakfast buckets. Cold feet, goats? But they were not interested in going back into the barns.
On days like this, buckets contain extra oats, for extra warming power. Speaking of buckets...on each of the goatcams, one of the preset directions points directly down into a big water bucket.
Being able to check the water levels from inside the house is a functional luxury for me. Is the water is clean? Are the de-icers are working? If either answer is "no" it means getting out there immediately, night or day.
And the water level in each bucket tells me how many gallon jugs of water I'll need to set outside the door at chore times. That way I don't have to keep coming back inside, pulling off my boots (cleats and floors don't mix) and going to the sink to fill another jug while leaving clumps of melting snow all over the kitchen.
The above picture was taken by a goatcam at about 1PM yesterday.
The goats choose to spend most of their time outside, so I throw hay down in several locations both in and out of the barns.
On such a bittercold day, that bright sun was very welcome.
Those looong Winter shadows at 1PM!
Today, it's doing this.
Has been since last night.
Tiny, tiny flakes.
The view from right here, right now:
The original prediction was that the snow would stop by morning.
Then, it was predicted to stop at noon.
Now, it's predicted to stop at 2:45.
Glad the propane delivery came yesterday.
Also glad I have a tiny house.
Hope everyone is having a lovely Saturday.
Stay warm - or cool - as appropriate for your hemisphere!
~~~~~
Oof to that cold and that price! I thought the 9F here was cold enough, but I see you were well colder than that!! Happy goats, happy birdies - you're a good mama.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sally - I try :) The birdfeeding provides hours of entertainment for three of us.
DeleteGosh, propane costs! is this the annual delivery? I hope.. And how funny that the goats prefer even in dead cold to be outside still. Their coats are certainly up to it. Your goatcam and water setups are brilliant. Yes, a one person operation needs all the techie help it can get. I expect the goatherder also needs more oats, or the human fuel equivalent, in this weather, too.
ReplyDeleteNot quite annual, but this tank should get me through to summer anyway. I use it to heat water, fuel the stovetop, and heat the house when I'm not burning wood.
DeleteWow, that's a hefty gas bill.
ReplyDeleteImagine if I was heating a "real" house instead of my tiny shack! Or turning the thermostat up to a "normal" temperature. Honestly, I don't know how people do it.
DeleteIt's been super-cold here too (-12 this morning); that should change tomorrow. That's quite a hefty bill! But I suppose it's a necessity when you live in a cold climate.
ReplyDeleteIt's fluctuating here from day to day, too...negative numbers then up to 20! It's the warm/cold/warm weather that makes the cold feel even colder, I think.
DeleteBrrr, it sounds cold! Glad those goats are dressed up warm! Good planning with the camera and water bucket.
ReplyDeleteSometimes my good planning looks a lot like being lazy, but we know the truth ;)
DeleteOh my - that propane bill must have been a shock! Try to stay warm and I guess you need to be grateful for having a small house.
ReplyDeleteI knew it would be more than 1K and hoped it would be less than 2K, so pretty much right on the nose ;)
DeleteI didn't know that goats got cold hooves. My dogs do that when it's very cold... hmm, are there goat boots?
ReplyDeleteI love your goat cams. Great idea so you can stay on top of things from the warmth of your house!
KB, I'm not sure about the cold hooves, really - never noticed then do that before! Maybe they had snowpack between their toes. Neither did it for more than a few seconds, and neither did it again or I would have taken a look.
DeleteAnd yes, the goatcams have been a huge gift to myself!
Holy Moly! How much is propane a gallon up there? Last I bought it was $1.99 and oil about the same. Quinn, is it possible to run a hose from the kitchen sink to the back door for a quick fill? Or is that too much trouble?
ReplyDeleteWe've having a warm spell...in the 40's today but with a nasty wind making it too cold to move hay. Boxing Day supposed to be close to 60 so outside chores will be done.
Merry Christmas Quinn; be safe!
Close to $4/gallon.
DeleteThe water was easier when I could carry bigger buckets, but as long as I carry a couple of gallons every time I go out the door, I can usually keep the buckets full enough. At least until a mouse leaps into one of the waterers and I have to empty the whole thing and bring the big bucket in to wash, and start over!
Wow, 60 degrees...enjoy the break!
Your place is lovely! And even if it didn't cost less to buy, furnish, heat and maintain, I much prefer a small house. Love the goatcams! Stay cozy!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jean - you too! :)
DeleteBaby it's cold outside! I hope things 'warmed' up a bit since you wrote this. We had a cold snap then too, but the temps have come back up to about -5C now. The goats look great in the cold all fluffed. It's kind of nice that they prefer to be outside despite the cold.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas Quinn!
Wendy
Look at all your snow! We're heading into the 60sF today, so no white stuff for us. Love the goat pix. :) Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteObviously not as cold here, but we have gotten down into the 40s which means it feels colder inside than out because of the concrete and no insulation. I finally had my husband bring down one of the radiators for our bedroom because I can't sleep if I'm too cold. Both my boys are here from the States (Colorado and NY) so they, of course, don't think it's cold at all, and honestly, it did get up to 75 yesterday, which is pretty darn warm. Yet because it's cold inside, I keep dressing in too many layers. :) That is a whopping gas bill. But definitely worth being warm and cozy. I think of all the people who don't have the means to live with warmth or even shelter. Your goats seem to like the white stuff. It's funny to see folks post pictures of their cats and dogs who love romping in the snow. I think Jingles would freak out. She's such a wimp. Of course, when it comes to cold weather, so am I. :) Happy holidays! Tammy
ReplyDelete