After the Christmas flurry has settled down, it is time to get back to work. The first task was moving the last bunch of hay loft chicks out of their weasel-protected pen. Above is them on Christmas Eve before the move with their mom. It is hard to get a good photo of them as they are moving the whole time, but I do like the variations in their colors and patterns.
Yesterday we moved them into the general population. Their mother immediately left them on their own. They are a little freaked out in this photo, I think.
But this morning she was watching over them again.
For Christmas my mom and stepdad got us a rubber mat meant to go in front of the barn to limit the mud. We placed this quite heavy mat yesterday. The sheep, including Diddley, were nervous about walking on it at first. Today a few of them are trusting it. But hopefully it will limit the mud in their path from the barn to their pasture. There is a cement pad just in front of the door but it is not enough.
I hope your post-Christmas time is relaxing. Happy New Year!
Your young chickens are so beautiful!
That new mat in front of the barn door looks like a real blessing! Critters are funny, sometimes.
Thanks. They are getting used to the mat.
nice mat! I’m sure once the sheeps get used to it they’ll appreciate the firmer footing 🙂
Thanks Denise. It is 4 x 6 feet and 3/4 inch thick. How big is your rubber area? I hope they like it.
Our rubber flooring is not one piece, but rather 18″ square interlocking tiles. I’ve got them in the entryway to the shed (about 3’x7.5′) and just outside the entrance as well (about 3’x4.5′)
They are not as thick (maybe 1/4 inch?) but have been holding up well. I think this is the second winter they’ve been out there. Really helps those well-traveled areas from getting all churned up.