During the week it's dark when I leave and dark when I come home so I'll only see my birds awake on the weekends for the next 2 months at least.
Oh that is no fun....I love watching my birds and all their antics. But 2 months will be over and you will 10 more months left? That does not help now though, I am sure.
Get yourself a white heat lamp, go out there and cuddle with 'em as soon as you get home (or get up early). Then turn the light out when you've had your "fix". Enjoy them anyway you can.
I agree! I could not live without a hen fix every day. They make me smile no matter what . I have been leaving the heat lamp on just for soft light... nothing too bright. Just till 9:00 when I lock em up. If I tarry to long cleaning up the coop or something... they come off the roost and bawk and keep me company.... hens are the best friends.
I'm thinking of hooking up the baby monitor for a little CTV when my girls graduate from the brooder to the henhouse.
Unfortunately no power to my coop so it's just me and the flashlight to change water and fill feeders at night. Last ngiht in the driving rain. They really don't want anythign to do with me by then and just turn their backs to go back to sleep. Oh well, January is just 2 months away.
"OK... I'm out here in the dark, with a flashlight, in the pouring rain, giving you food and water! You better get your sorry a-s up to hang out with me!" (Tap chicken on behind with rake) "I said, GET UP!" (Pick up squawking hen hug tightly and smooch on head :aww) Sometimes chickens must be forced to conform!
But winter has SO Many positive things about it: No humidity (for those with hair, the no-frizz is an added plus) No mosquitoes No ticks Sledding The sight and feeling of freshly-falling snow A warm fire Cuddling under a blanket The smell of beef barley soup when you come in from shoveling snow Makes the holiday season more festive Sometimes you can't make it in to work You can be lazy because your yard looks as good as everyone else's And so many more. I love winter.
When I was working full-time I hated winter. Now I'm retired and I have hens and I'm getting *into* it. The chooks are 25 weeks old and we're giving eggs away!
