And so it got colder. Cows always do the best in the cold. They carry a belly full of hay that behaves like a compost heap a hot compost heap. A healthy cow is warmed from the inside.
Unlike my white truck that was encased in ice yesterday morning and I could not even open the door. John had to pry the door open for me with a screw driver. In fact every door I encountered yesterday morning was frozen shut, I had to get an axe to bash the brick away from the chook house door, and shake and kick the barn doors until the ice relaeased them. In a blowing glacial wind this is not as much fun as it sounds.
But we got everything open and on the straight and narrow.
Pigs have less ability to regulate their own temperatures than the cows so my pigs have trained me to cover them up on the cold nights. I finished the chores last night and as dark fell I went in to help Sheila with her bed but she was behind schedule and still at the raking UP stage. To do this she paws at the ground like a bull pulling the straw up and up until she has a bed as high as a top bunk.
She told me quite clearly that it was going to be a cold night but she was not quite ready for the covers so I left her to it and went in to the kunekune pen. Earlier I had pulled all their fluffy straw up into one space and they had burrowed straight into the mountain of straw so all I could see was their bottoms. Listening to their little sighs of pleasure I covered their whole bodies up with straw. Tima seldom lets me cover her up whereas Tane literally relaxes down into his bed when he sees me coming at this time of night. Last night both stayed still while I pulled up their covers. When I was finished all you could see were the two little air holes. The straw rose and fell with their breaths.
Once I was done Sheila called me over with a grunt as she lowered her vast tired body into her newly made bed. The twins popped in and out as I covered her up. But she still refuses to let them sleep with her. One day I must record the conversations we have. Sheila mimics the sounds I make. Good night. Good night.
The twins are young – like Poppy they have no interest in a good bed. Though I had made theirs for them earlier – all they needed to do was wriggle down into it.
All the animals, cows and pigs, still have access to the outside. Yesterday they chose to stay inside. I just realised that I have seven cows and seven pigs. Good luck that is, I think!
Ton elected to stay in the house while Boo and I did the chores in the cold yesterday afternoon. I had to carry buckets and buckets of water across to the cows on the West side. (I have a logistical problem with the heating of their water when things freeze – that entire barn has only one power point – on the wrong side – it’s ok – I am thinking of an answer and in the meantime my arms need the exercise of carrying buckets.) But it was taking too long for TonTon. Even when I said they could ride in the cab due to the cold – BooBoo jumped in the truck – TonTon stayed in his pod on the verandah. Later I brought him inside – usually he does not like to be inside.
Boo cannot let me out of his sight though. He is wherever I am.
Last night we dipped down to around 4F (-15) but that’s ok it is winter.
Good morning.
I hope you have a lovely day.
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
67 responses to “Tucking in the piggies”
Boo needs a longer shirt to cover his little tail-less rump. Stay warm as you can.
I know, I think he has grown out of it?
Yes! 🙂 I bought a raincoat for Mirrhi, it’s made with working dogs in mind…..has gussets at shoulder and rump to allow for movement, and covers her very well. Boo could do with something like that.
Animals know when it is going to be a real cold night – all four of my cats (who usually fight and bicker if too close to one another) jump up on to the bed and snuggle against my body like little hot water bottles. Makes it a little difficult to turn over some times, but hey I’ll take the warmth!
Hope you can work out that water problem soon – carrying heavy buckets is not fun. Plus I find when it is this cold, the water you carry around ends up freezing within an hour anyway. Someone advised me to give the chickens warm porridge in the mornings. Huh before they have had time to eat it all it freezes!
I know! This weather has its challenges.
Blessed are the piggies 😉
YES!!
When one is sweltering and in and out of a pool it is unreal to read about such conditions! Tucking the pigs in for the night is ex-straw-dinary!
The world is so small yet so BIG – Enjoy the pool.. c
Those pigs are too wonderful in their beds. The two little breathing holes make me laugh out loud.
I could barely find Tima to cover her up – she had burrowed so far nto her mountain of straw.. c
clever New Zealand piggy
Me too. I loved the whole thing, but the breathing holes are special. So many delightful surprises come from your world to mine!
Brrrr! That does sound cold…..here the snow has gone and the sun is out , not a hot sun but a warm one, which is good enough. Stay warm Miss C and do not slide on the ice!
No sliding if i can help it! c
Much snorting of laughter as I read out the bedtime routine of the piggies. The Husband was doing his own burrowing and sighing with contentment – we read your post at early bedtime when he’s on day shift, preparing for a 3.30am start. Not as cold here of course, but still, burrowing and bed-arranging go on. I am, unlike the twins, allowed to share….
At least the twins have each other – Your husband and mine: getting up at 3.30.. poor fellows.. c
Not just the Husband… I get up too, to fix his lunch, make up his coffee thermos, make up his soup thermos, wave him off, and then… head back to bed to see if I can catch another hour or so.
I know I complain about our heat but I think I would be really unhappy with -15C brrrr. Laugh, no making some people happy. I am sure none of the pig farmers in your area are allowing their pigs to read the blog today – in case they demand to be tucked in too 🙂 Look after. Laura
Yes, though few other pigs are living in a big old drafty barn like this. Some have heated houses, or at least doors that close! c
Your piggies look so toasty warm in their little straw beds. What a loyal and lovely faithful friend Boo is . Stay warm my friend.
Boo is devoted. c
I was amazed by the cows, keeping themselves warm from the inside out. And I didn’t know about straw keeping animals warm, but of course — that’s the advice for many flower beds here. I’m all with the piggies. There’s nothing quite like burrowing down when it’s cold. Of course, we have nothing here like your -15C, but we did have our first dip below freezing last night, so everyone will be hatted and booted and such today, feeling like Arctic explorers. 🙂
It seems the cold is reaching all of us – one way or the other! c
Stunning portait of beautiful Auntie Del !
Cosy piggiy beds… – The range of you duties is a wide one, Celi ! But so comforting for each of the recipients… Love it: Seven cows, seven pigs. Beautiful Boo in his mantle.
For your icy doors problem I was thinking of a hairdryer or a emboss heater (crafting tool) but they seemingly do not exist in an accumulator mode (batterie operation)… That would be great, wouldn’t it?
Have a nice day!
Yes that would be a good idea – the doors are only iced shut when we have rain and then a freeze straight afterwards.. Needless to say we do not go through the car wash in the deep winter, by the time you have driven home you are iced INTO your own car! c
You’re so right. – The tool is also called heat gun. Maybe Our John knows whether there are existing some wireless ones. Otherwise there are the lock de-icer or de-froster in tiny bottles… – And I have something in mind like preparing all door locks with Glycerin (before the cold). And there’s anotherone it’s graphite grease. Dip you keys in and smear the locks… (before the cold though). Good luck!
Maybe those little blow torches they use for making creme brulee would do the trick! Might be a bit hard to reach the top of some of your doors though…
love all the pigs getting tucked in – lovely photos
I wish I had a composting/central heating stomach! And as for someone to come and bury me in straw… Mind you, it’s not that cold here yet. Can youy not use a giant extension lead in your West barn?
Wrap up warm, the Farmy needs your energy.
love,
ViV xox
Yes, Dolly, being a blue heeler, like Boo, must always have me in sight! And she is always by my side looking out for me, checking up on where I am, where I’m going and what I’m doing. I’ve never had a dog as loyal and wonderful as she is. I love her to pieces!!! 🙂
Dolly is a good lass. When I call BooBoo to me to SIT, He sits very close, (as trained) facing the same direction as me (as trained) then plants one of his big paws onto my foot Not trained to do this!!) But he does it every time.. Always. After a few years of it I feel a great comfort from his heavy foot on mine.
I know that Jack always tells me not to project my feelings onto our animals, but for sure Boo is telling you that he loves you. I know that for a fact!!! 🙂
OR – Stay Right Where You Are!
Hate to admit it, but when I had our dogs in training when they were pups (they were out of control and I was clueless as what to do about it!) the trainer said when they put their feet on yours that they are saying they are in charge, the dominant ones. Not sure which is it, but I prefer the ‘love story’ theory! 🙂
What lucky pigs! Made me laugh, the pigs have trained you to tuck them in! I would love to hear a recording of Sheila saying Night night 😉 Be careful in that cold.
Yes I must put the phone beside her while I am tucking her in.. it is very sute.