With one straw- she won’t have to share and she can ‘chill out.’

The record setting cold means a big scramble to plan care for our animals. We started feeding them alfalfa hay and extra grain a few weeks ago. They have bedding in the barn up to their little knees; tank heaters in the water and buttoning up the barn to keep cold air out.

The big group of sheep has big round grass hay bales outside their door. They like to run in and out of the barn when the sun is shining. We don’t lock them inside, they are amazingly wise about getting through this weather. They each have their favorite place to stay warm. Many times they are in groups of three or four all sleeping by each other. Jammie party!! (They do tell me I worry too much. I don’t agree!)

This weather is specially hard on older animals. We lost our Cosmo and Theo sheep to pneumonia. I’m so sad about them. They tried but they were 17 years old. It was time for them to head to warmer pastures in the sky. Sigh. So far no more casualties. A majority of our flock is over the age of 8 so I guess we have quite an elderly flock again. And we only have 35 sheep? THAT feels weird too. But that’s a story for another day.

Jim and I keep a close watch on everyone outside. We take turns checking on them. We would be no use to ANYone if we managed to get frostbite. The coldest it got here included -50 degrees with the wind chill factored in. Today (1/31) we have a heat wave going on! It is currently only -9. The weather guessers say it will be 30-ish by Sunday. Accompanied by freezing rain. Argh.

The sheep will love it though. Between thawing of snow and freezing rain, this farm will be a right proper ice rink. I know they have their little skates hanging up in the barn for just such an occasion!

Stay safe and warm everyone!