Chilly Temperatures

A misty winter morning as viewed from our farm.

February's wintery weather--mostly in the form of cold temperatures--is manageable, even preferable, for the thick-coated animals. The Great Pyrenees dogs and the alpacas stand or play in the brisk air, or stretch out on the cold ground, all of the discomfort of hot summers long forgotten.

Kids beneath heat lamp; hen brooding overhead.

On chilly days the kids often congregate in their stall, gathering beneath the heat lamps for warmth. The larger Nubian kids, Metro and Erin, romp outside periodically. They are hale and hearty, and growing nicely. Soon, Marcie's new kids will be joining them outdoors.

Emmilye is hesitant to romp outside in the cold.

Since our Nubian dam's littlest, Emmilye, is lame she is often left behind when her littermates romp off to play. Sometimes she appears lonely; however, usually she is settled alone, like a content cat in sunlight, just watching the world from her warm nest.

Marcie's kids: Isabell in front, Kimberly in back.

The twin doelings, now almost two days old, stay in where it's warm, but lie separately from the triplets. Each little goat family is insular at this point; although stabled together, the young kids congregate separately when bedding down.

On days like this I find excuses to spend even more time around the goats. The kids are so dear.