Another Winter Weather Advisory

 As we head into the weekend, we are looking at yet another winter weather advisory. Tonight around 5 p.m., we are to see our next snowfall which is predicted to give us between 2 and 5 inches of snow. Plus, another round to hit on Saturday late afternoon or evening and an Arctic cold front that is going to bring us below zero temperatures. 

Being here on the farm, this means that we need to do a bit of preparations for the extreme cold. Yesterday as I was out feeding in the afternoon, I put extra hay in the pen for the pigs inside the "house" they have. We used an old dumpster to make them a three-sided enclosure to keep them out of the wind, rain, and snow. It works, although it is not pretty. I also placed a crock pot in the chicken coop to be sure they had access to fresh water daily and it is not going to be frozen. 

It also means bringing extra water containers in so that we can simply go out and exchange the waters for the other pens that do not allow for us to put crock pots or heated dishes into. It means having to get straw for the other chicken houses as that will need the extra heat. Chickens do fairly good in the weather as long as they can stay dry and have good quality feed with protein. 

I am thankful that we don't have other larger animals to have to care for this winter. Although, I do miss the goats and especially, the horses, life is much easier. With the care I still need to give my left foot from surgery, it is harder for me to get around to do all of the work. I am thankful that our youngest lives next door and can handle some of the workload. 

For anyone in the path of this latest arctic weather, please stay safe. I worry about my brother as he is living in a van and this weather scares me, but I truly can't offer any more help. I pray that he will be safe and find a warm place to go.