At last I am back on the farm! I have been out delivering hogs on the most awful roads. Usually this is a fifty minute drive in the big truck hauling the stock trailer. But this morning about twenty minutes into the dawn drive, with three hogs in the trailer and two dogs sitting ramrod straight in the back seat of the truck, the little bit of snow we had last night morphed into frozen roads and frozen fog. With the sun coming up behind us and the temperatures way below freezing. Even going as slow as I could safely travel the new old trailer was sliding out from behind me.
But we arrived safely. The pigs were delivered. And I am home again eating my fried eggs.
Here are yesterdays pictures.
The cats sleeping in the piglets creep.
I don’t know how they are going to feel when the piglets move in but it has happened many times so I am sure they have a plan. And they make dips in the straw – like nests in a perfect size for piglets.
Poppys udder is finally starting to fill – another couple of days I think. But who knows – Molly farrowed on April 11 last year – and gave me NO warning.
However, Poppy’s udder is not very full yet. I have seen her get a lot bigger. And she is more interested in eating not nesting. And is fine this morning.
It is 10.30 am. The day has finally warmed up to 32F, everyone is fed including me, so I had better get to work. Way behind already!
Have a lovely day.
WEATHER: A bit of sun. Nice. Then a bit of rain. Ah well.
Monday 04/02 20% / 0 in
Sunny to partly cloudy. Slight chance of a rain shower. High near 45F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph.
Monday Night 04/02 70% / 0.07 in
Showers this evening becoming a steady light rain overnight. Thunder possible. Low 39F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
Sun
6:34 am 7:18 pm
Moon
Waning Gibbous, 95% visible 9:46 pm 8:04 am
Poppy needs to have those babies soon so her hair will grow back! Glad you made the hog delivery without a horrible incident 🙂
Isn’t the hair loss interesting – and they both do it every time
Wow! What a treacherous start to your day driving on ice–black and otherwise–with precious cargo to boot!
and another thing–how do you get such great photos of Polly’s undercarriage? You have to be lying on the ground!
I was in a crouch-I have work fast when I crouch down because she immediately comes over to grunt into my face and possibly eat the camera
I’m glad you made it safely. Ice in the dark can be very treacherous. Love the pictures of Poppy and the kittens. Hope all goes well with Poppy. Have a lovely day and hope the warm shows up for you soon.
I know – I will worry until she safely delivers then we will worry for the piglets in the cold and after a week or so things will relax a bit – just how it is I suppose
Thank goodness we ladies only have two spigots to worry about! Really like the b & w of the kitties – the red one could be part of a scary show. Sure hope you had a nice day yesterday, but today must already have been exhausting! Off to the laundry room to finish what I started earlier. OH! Found a couple making a nest between the outer shade and the bedroom window this a.m. Raise the inside sash up enough and I can see them at their nest building. Busy pair AND entertainment for the Spring! Better than TV! Hugs…… .
You will have chicks in there?
Hee Hee! No, these are sparrows! The hens already have a house – should have been more specific – sorry!
I’m not sure why but that rooster in with the pigs really cracks me up!! Like he’s cooped up with these big guys and is wistfully looking out the window dreaming of being out of doors. So funny!
Yes! I thought so too. He has a somber demeanor like he is waiting for the rain to stop so he can go outside and play
I bet the dogs love going for a drive with you.
I saw an interesting article today on rice farming in France (adopted from the Chinese) where ducks are used for natural weed removal, so no pesticide required. I can’t think of a practical application for you, but I do like the symbiosis. Maybe ducks would weed your vegetables – they definitely like slugs!
They do say they are good at insect patrol after the plants are a good size. Two more weeks before they arrive! Then the trouble will begin!
They can be trained to be herded – Boo will love that when they are big enough not to be squashed. I’m looking forward to their arrival – I was very fond of my parents’ ducks.
I am looking forward to them too . It will be a learning experience .
Your cats know a good thing when they seethe cold outside! And they are making nice little nests for the babies…..
Yes. It is so cold outside today!
So very glad you managed the brutal roads without serious incident. Bet your body felt like you’d been run over by a bus at the end of that ‘gripping adventure’! Safely home, eating fried eggs and watching the brood do its nestle-in thing is much better. 🙂 Hugs!
Kath
I’m glad you’re home safe. Fried eggs from your own chickens are the best. 🙂
Fried eggs! My father always used to call that the Breakfast of Champions, and I agree. Much can be faced with a belly full of fried egg. Hope Poppy’s squeakers make a safe landing. Here, we’re waiting to be visited by the tail end of Tropical Cyclone Iris. Not cold, but by heck it’s wet and windy.