For years, decades actually, I wanted a small flock of chickens. I dreamed of them do their chicken thing – foraging, interacting with one another, hanging out in the backyard, producing beautiful eggs for my breakfast. It was another step towards producing my own food. I didn’t come into this unaware of the realities of farming. I had spent my childhood and teenage years surrounded by farm animals – horses, cows, goats, sheep and chickens. I was familiar with the smells and maintenance involved.
What I wasn’t prepared for was this –
Ice, practically having to move on my hands and knees to get to the coop.
Snow – every. single. day.
And chicken poop, the quantity can boggle the mind. Even better when it is frozen into the box and you have to use a putty knife to clean it.
But this is what it’s all about – fresh and delicious. Found in my backyard.
Soon enough things will look like this again and all of us will be much happier.
Fort Pelham Farm 
I’m smiling as I comment because I will then get up and go do my chores including feeding and watering the chickens because water doesn’t last long int the coop when it is -8. But, our chickens aren’ laying which really causes one to understand why my grandfather didn’t keep chickens in the winter. Enjoy your fresh eggs, and I haven’t taken my Yaktrax off my boots for weeks.. 🙂
You need Yaktrax for that icy barnyard! http://www.yaktrax.com/product/walk
Haha, I have them. Doesn’t make it any less scary.
Great photos! Poor chickens, hope they can be scratching in the yard soon.
There really is nothing like getting your own eggs, still a little warm on a winter morning! Lovely looking set up you have here! http://bit.ly/1A8mLB1
Thanks. And thanks for reading!