John has been working hard to get the winter barn, our other barn across the creek that is really a ditch, up to code for the winter. We prefer this barn for the animals in the winter as it has a dirt floor. The concrete floor in the home barn, like our temperatures, gets SO cold. Dirt is better. John has made new gates, patched walls, replaced corners and installed new windows – the maintenance on these old barns is never ending. But if we want to use the original barns then we need to work to preserve them.
Of course not everyone can go over to the West barn for the winter. Lady Astor, Alex (the new Dexter heifer) and Naomi will stay close to home for lots of training. Plus Tima and Tane the old married kunekune couple. And Sheila of course. My barn would be a misery without Sheila.
We have built Manu (the Hereford Boar) his own apartment, with an adjoining apartment for Poppy (the Hereford Sow) though she will not move in until January when she will be ready to begin another round of piglets.
Queenies Bobby, and Aunty Del have their own space in the barn with a concrete pad that leads out to the fields.
And Carlos IV (the Dexter bull) will join them when he arrives in a week – though initially he will be staying in the corner pen to get used to the smells and sounds of his new home. He is going to look very small against these two.
Manu (the Herford Boar) and Carlos IV (The Dexter Bull) will live in the palatial Winter barn for ever. The girls will come and go but this is the Boys Home. There is less disruption on the home farm if the men have their own pad. And when the time is right the girls will be trucked across to the boys to stay a while.
And here is Hugo’s last job. Stacking 50 bales of straw and 50 bales of good alfalfa hay into the West Barn.
And as an interesting aside it appears that beavers have moved into the creek that is really a ditch.
They will go about their work of cleaning up the waterways of weed trees and so forth and building their dams for babies in the spring and the ducks in the summer. I love it when wild animals camp close by.
I don’t know much about beavers (other than they mate for life) so I look forward to researching them. I would not mind seeing one sometime either – hopefully with Camera House in my hand! Thank goodness there are not fur trappers around here (I hope).
I hope you have a good day.
Love celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
39 responses to “The winter barn”
Beavers are amazing engineers! Have a splendid day and week ahead!
Dad beaver does a lot of the baby care. The babies are precocious – they are born fully furred, unlike many other rodents, but they stay with mom and dad for a couple of years. A pair can level 400 trees per year.
well they are half a mile from here with about four trees in between – I am not sure why they have set up here.. there are no trees close by and to get to our trees they will have to go through the fences and the fields – and a lot of open ground – so we will see.
They may not stick around. Hard to build a house without the timbers. But I read that the ones in your area tend to dig burrows in the riverbank. Fascinating animals! And HUGE. Our female was about 70lbs. Also, they have a cloaca like a bird. That’s some food for thought.
Sorry to hear that Hugo is moving on, but it sounds as though he has been a huge asset to your operation. Can’t wait to see photos of the Dexters!
Interesting about the beavers. What a dam he (or the couple) has built, wow, and what a stable one. As some have already mentioned it to protect your own trees will be a must. They will choose yours when there are no others around. Where did you stand to get that shot? Did you go into the water for it? There’s no bridge over your creek/ditch… is it?
So many things to do and to think of before Winter. And so much work. You’ll be well prepared I think. – Hugo’s last work: When will be his departure? Please tell us for waving good bye… I wish you all the best, Hugo!
With love, Irmi
You’re an animal landlord! Years ago, I was riding along the West Fork of the Gila River in SW New Mexico and saw a beaver swimming under the clear water. It was dreamlike, the shape gliding. I didn’t get a picture, but to this day, it’s vivid in my mind. Question for you. The Kunekunes seem quite small in comparison with the herefords. Is that a correct impression? They look very cute, but I imagine they have personalities …
Oh, I’m so excited about the beavers! I don’t know much about their habitat, but we used to see them at the cabin lake in the spring. It was always special to hear them slapping their tails on the water! I hope there are no predators about, and that they manage to survive the harsh winters. I have never seen them set up housekeeping in a canal, but I guess they know what they’re doing! Isn’t it a bit exciting getting ready for winter? I love tapping into my inner squirrel and getting my stores built up and preparations made for the cold weather.
I love how you have both barns all arranged! What would you think of drawing out a floor plan so those of us who are visual processors could get an idea of how it all works together?? 🙂
It’s good that the winter barn has water that’s more readily available than on the farmy. You could never cart water for 2 barns filled with animals by yourself.
Beavers moved into our family property in Michigan a number of years ago. They only lasted a year or two before moving on. I don’t think the creek bed was suitable for them. Even so, they were the first beavers spotted in that area in 100 years.
I love beavers! 🙂 Such misunderstood creatures!
Hi Celi,
I recently photographed a beaver at work building a home at the Lincoln Marsh by my home. What fun animals to watch!!