Weather Outside is Frightful!
The weather in our area since the first of the year has been crazy! Rain, snow, ice, high winds and brutally cold temps seem to have taken over. We have had a few nicer days in between so it hasn’t been all bad, but it has definitely been a wintery start to the year.
We always get asked how the animals are doing when the weather is extreme like this. The alpacas are in almost full fleece and don’t have an issue with the cold at all. They typically don’t have a problem with snow, but seem to prefer not to have to walk through it and won’t even try to graze with snow on the ground. They don’t seem to like the wind. They spend much of a cold, blustery winter day tucked away in their barns. But if the sun is out and some grass is peaking through the snow, they will venture out no matter the temperature.
Bella stays safe and warm in the barn with the female alpacas. Jeff worked this fall moving extra hay in the barns to keep some of the cold out. It is amazing how warm it stays in the barn with all the animals in it. Bella has re-arranged a bale or two of hay and made her bed tucked away in the corner of the barn.
The chickens stay close to the barns and roost in the rafters at night. I’m sure it is plenty warm up there for them. The cats live in the hay barn. They have tunnels in between the hay bales and they are probably the warmest of all!
There are always things that need to be done on the farm, so we have concentrated more so far this year on projects we can do inside. Since we both have full time jobs outside of the farm, we have to get as much done in our spare time as possible. Here is a little of what we have been working on when the weather outside is awful.
Dyeing fiber…..
Spinning Colorway Samples
Loading up Etsy with our new yarns and rovings…..
Doing a physical inventory of our products and preparing merchandise orders for the spring sales season…..
Keeping the driveway and pathways to the barns safe and clear of snow…..
Even with the weather, this is an exciting time of year. It’s a great time to get caught up on indoor projects, planning for the new year and watching that fiber grow!
Parsons' Prairie Farm 