A Frosty Farm Morning: Canine Comfort, Goat Antics, and Winter Chores
"Good morning, Abby dog! Good morning, Toby dog! How are you guys doing this morning, huh? Good to see you guys!" The speaker's cheerful greeting set the tone for a frosty farm day, with the temperature hovering around a chilly four degrees Fahrenheit. The crunch of snow underfoot emphasized the cold.
A brief observation about the differing sounds of the farm at various temperatures led to a playful description of the recent snowfall, measured in terms of the amount of snow in Toby's bowl – approximately an inch. The speaker then turned their attention to the birds. "Morning Birds! How's everybody doing this morning?"
Toby's polite demeanor, his reluctance to pass through a closed door, was contrasted with his less-than-refined habit of urinating on fresh straw bales. The indoor temperature was a relatively warmer 22 degrees Fahrenheit, a significant difference from the outside chill.
"All right, Abby, are you ready to release the quacken? Come on, let's go everybody! Everybody with me! Come on, come on, let's go everybody!" Despite the cold, the birds were eventually enticed outside by the promise of food. The order of avian exodus was noted: geese and chickens first, followed by the ducks' distinctive quacking.
The birds' increased caloric and water needs in cold weather were emphasized. A quick repair was made to a water source. An interesting behavioral adaptation for warmth was observed: ducks and geese often lie down to cover their feet. Even chickens sometimes stand on one foot to conserve heat. "Hey Ralph the duck, what's going on, buddy?"
The speaker highlighted a particularly small chicken, a puzzling mix of American Bresse and other breeds, defying the expected size of a meat bird hybrid.
The task of spreading fresh straw commenced, a chore seemingly enjoyed by Abby. The ducks' paradoxical preference for swimming in cold weather was mentioned. A persistent leak in a hose, despite recent repairs, prompted a playful question to the audience about its likelihood of lasting the winter. The importance of draining hoses to prevent freezing was emphasized.
"All right, you guys, it's time to go do the goat chores! Let's go! Good morning, goat Otis's!" The goats were released, Lauren sporting a GoPro, with the hope that they wouldn't get into too much mischief. Their immediate pursuit of food and hay proved otherwise. "Hang on, you guys! Hang on, hang on, hang on!"
The goats' remarkable training to a bucket was contrasted with their occasional aggression towards the dogs, particularly Abby. The pen door was left open, anticipating a goat visit later. The speaker braced themselves for the inevitable task of ice-smashing for the cattle.
"All right, dogs, let's go inside! Come on, in you go with Abby! In you go with Toby!" The speaker then addressed Astred, noting her apparent complaint about the icy conditions. After ensuring Astred's safety, the speaker proceeded to break the ice.
The rapid formation of ice in cattle troughs, even within 16 hours, was explained. The feasibility of keeping cattle without heated water in cold climates, albeit with significant effort, was highlighted. Cattle's ability to break through thin ice was contrasted with the need for human intervention when the ice thickened. Removing ice chunks was crucial to prevent faster and more solid freezing. The impending week of sub-zero temperatures underscored the importance of staying ahead of the ice.
The speaker greeted Baby B and Belinda Carlile, admiring the latter's frosted "bangs" and natural blonde highlights. The dogs' peculiar habit of exploring and even licking cow pies was addressed. The potential health risk of lepto was mitigated by the dogs' vaccination.
The sweet and gentle nature of Toby, seeking quiet moments for affection, was contrasted with Abby's jealous behavior and playful tendencies. Abby's unsuitability for breeding, due to her lack of livestock guardian instincts, was explained. The speaker expressed a desire to find a suitable mate for Toby, seeking a male Maremma with strong instincts in the New England area.
Abby's special friendship with Buffy the Vampire Slayer, a friendly Charlotte heifer, was highlighted. While Charlotte cattle generally remained standoffish, Buffy had emerged as the most approachable. The separation of Charlotte and Highland cattle into distinct herds was also noted.
The growth of Betty White, a previously tiny calf, was remarked upon, noting her increasing size and her mother's large stature.
Toby's habit of sleeping in the goat hay prompted the speaker to prepare to apply musher's wax to his paws. This practice, performed a couple of times a week in cold weather, prevented ice buildup between the dogs' toes.
The speaker noted the goats' mischievous tendencies, observing Baracus and Lauren's activities. The goats' aggressive behavior towards those they disliked, including Abby, was mentioned. The goats were herded back into their enclosure to prevent further trouble.
While the audience was occupied with the goats, the speaker had begun pouring water for the cattle. The importance of draining hoses in winter to prevent freezing was reiterated. The speaker shared a recent realization about the complex interplay of water, gravity, and suction in causing frozen water lines. A newfound appreciation for physics in farming was expressed. "But this is why if you ever want to be a farmer kids definitely pay attention to your physics class because the problem that I'm dealing with here is clearly a physics problem." The broader role of various sciences in farm life was also acknowledged.
The speaker then attended to their hungry barn cats.
Finally, the promised "special surprise" for the dogs – the application of musher's secret – was delivered. Abby's enthusiastic cooperation contrasted with Toby's less-than-enthusiastic acceptance. The product's effectiveness in preventing ice clumps was explained.
The farm tour concluded with the speaker heading inside for warmth and coffee.