Embarrassing Chicken Attire

A couple days ago I found one of my two Jersey Giant hens pretty badly hurt.  Perhaps it began because she was molting and had lost feathers, or maybe Zinny had nabbed a mouthful of feathers off her back, I don't know, but the other chickens had been pecking at her back and she was in pretty bad shape.

I brought her inside, covered her injury with Neosporin and have kept her inside in a large dog crate since.  It was getting old for both of us - she was bored and I was not thrilled that the front entry was beginning to smell a bit like a chicken coop. So, today I sewed her a little protective apron (or sometimes it is called a saddle) out of some scraps of upholstery fabric. This is the side that goes next to her body - it is quite soft. The elastic criss-crosses over her chest and the edges of the apron tuck under her wings.  Before putting it on her, I sprayed her back with Blue-kote, a veterinary wound dressing that I always manage to get all over myself, so now I have inky blue hands.

She was not too  pleased with the  apron at first, trying to back out of it.  Her best girlfriend, the other black Jersey Giant hen came over to inspect her new attire.

Then she strutted away. I thought she was fairly happy, but I began to get worried when I could not find her all afternoon.  Finally, after chores tonight I found her hiding in the barn. I hope she is ok and not too embarrassed by her apron.  I gave her some food in the barn because she doesn't seem to want to return to the coop tonight. Maybe she doesn't realize that her apron is protective armor in case those mean chickens try to peck her, poor girl.

Wordless Wednesday: Vernal Equinox Sunrise

So Happy for Yet Another Snowstorm...Not!

Even though I really do like snow, I was dismayed to wake up to another snowstorm today.  We are so ready for spring!

In another another month or so, if we are lucky, the ground under these trees should be carpeted with blue violets and scilla, and soon after, Virginia bluebells.  So hard to imagine on a day like this.

Yesterday, Cadence, Rog and  trudged through the garden, wistfully noting where things will be planted, if the snow ever melts.

This morning I spent two hours snowblowing out the driveway, and in the afternoon, did it again because the wind had filled it back in.

Hairstyle after snow blowing (Not to mention the snow that blew in my face or went down my neck.) This is one reason I prefer the wovel!

Wordless Wednesday: Spring Fever is Epidemic

Squash Blossom Farm Gothic

The snow was so perfect this afternoon, I couldn't resist.

Freeze/Thaw

March is such an entertaining month for weather.
This morning we woke up to lovely hoarfrost. The animals had to wait for breakfast a bit while I took a few photos.

Sun rising over the frosty farm - what better way  to start the day?

It was that spiky kind of hoarfrost that looks soft and fuzzy from a distance.

It was a brisk morning, though, 4 degrees.

Ugly chain link fences are so much more appealing with hoarfrost.

The Norway spruce windbreak looked like a winter fairytale forest.

By the afternoon it had warmed up considerably and icicles were dripping.  Ice weaving through the gate.

Icicles on the  loafing shed.

Ice and snow sliding off the roofs tickles me, so please humor me while I share a few more crazy ice photos...

In a few weeks the maple sap will be running, buds will be swelling, dogs will be tracking in muddy footprints and icicle season will be a vague memory. Gotta enjoy it before it melts!

Wordless Wednesday: Spring Advances- One Step Forward, Two Steps Back