We did get the hay in – just before another two inches of rain. A good amount was dubious and the rest rejected. 
But this is going to be a bad year for hay so the dubious bunch is stacked loosely across the barn floors, salted and rolled twice already. John is probing for temperature often. 
The rejected batch is stacked loosely on pallets outside. The Cadet and I pulled these down and tested and restacked them yesterday. Done are pretty hot! The cats are delighted with their new warm castle.
We covered this with a big tarp when it rained and will continue to do so. I need to do everything I can to bring in something edible for the cold months. 
There will be a massive shortage of hay this year. But these bales are so heavy – I have low hopes. And throwing 80 – 90 pound bales wears a person down after a while.
The cows like it though. And as you can see it makes a warm bed! 
I think working in small cuts is sensible. Then I can tend to each bale to save them. Some I have cut open to dry in the barn that way. But the weight of them almost broke John’s son and I. We are missing our co-workers brute strength. And his hand ( that we cannot discuss) is a long way from healed.
Anyway this morning I hope to get away early to get some photos of the organic fields that have already sprouted. My own field is still weeds and sodden soil and is making me miserable. There is always time for cover crops though. 
Every evening when I come out to milk Del there are three eggs laid in her stanchion. They like the new hay too!
It looks like we have a clear sky this morning. Nice. It says it will not rain until about 2pm today. I can’t believe it is Friday already!
Talk soon.
Celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
40 responses to “PLAYGROUND FOR CATS”
How are the color-eggers doing? the farm looks like a baled-obstacle course!
P.s. Lake Michigan rose 6” within the last months. Wondering if a few of the boats in harbors unable to get under the bridges! 🌉
And Lake Michigan is the size of a small country. That is A LOT of water!!
And the Easter Eggers are still growing in their own enclosure. They are hard to catch with the camera though / very shy
I just learned about salting hay this past week. Our hay man is brand new to haying. Last year was wet here and the round bales are very moody. Dangerous for our donkeys. This year is looking just as wet. So I sent him some links to articles about salting hay bales. Seems some people have adapted their balers to include a salter. Have you salted your hay before this year? Would it work on big round bales?
Yes – I use a cow mineral salt. So the cows get their minerals in the winter too, I have always salted the heavy bales. I don’t know about big round bales – the theory is the salt pulls the moisture out – big bales are pretty big.
what fun for those kitties! Your gray kitty looks like my Cody!