Yesterday was down to 7 degrees. The water de-icers are working well :). I watered everything today with the hosepipe, bringing another small water trough out for the geese. Haven't seen them using it yet. Have this struggling duck. Had her in a crate in the garage for 2 days, force-feeding her green peas and extra vitamins, iron and molassas. Took her out today as she was getting soaked. Think she has a niacin deficiency, therefore the peas.
The water froze in the lower barn, even with the heat tape. So moved the Gila monster into the feed room until the water was running. Then moved it back into the milking parlour to warm things up for milking. The instant hot water heater was running hot and cold, but think I've found it's sweet spot as it is working well today. I have to schlepp the used water and tip it outside the lower barn door as it freezes on the concrete and blocks the drain if I tip it there. Doesn't stop the cows from pee'ing there though. Any poops they make there overnight freezes and I have to chip them out, with Anni and Lisa barking like demented beings, trying to bite the scraper and catch the poop I'm chucking out.
Dolly is looking better on the 2nd cutting hay, and their milk production has increased and I think there's more cream. This month, all their milk money will be going to buy 2nd cutting hay. Probably need to plan on that for next month too.
Made a creamy chicken and mushroom dish over yellow rice for supper, and Brussel sprouts. Herbie got home after 4, just before I came up from milking. It was good, he had seconds :). Was thinking about making pasties with the leftovers tomorrow, or a pie.
The sheep have made a hay mountain ! Sort of looks as if they're going to be able to just step over the fence. Last week I took a bucket of hot water and got the ice out of the upturned roof of their shelter which blew off in the wind. Then tipped it back into place. The fence tops were broken, think maybe I should just saw them all down evenly. Haven't lashed it back into place though, it's just too cold to work out there without gloves.
Herbie gets Lisa up onto his lap for lovings on the couch. She's such a big girl already. She hasn't piddled in the house recently. Progress !