Breaking the ice

When we have hard frosts, especially if they are protracted, as is the case with the current forecast, it impacts quite a bit on the daily routine on the smallholding. Last night temperatures fell to -6 degrees and rose to 1 degree during the day. However, the frost persisted on the grazing fields all day. This morning there were isolated green patches where each of the sheep had lain overnight. 

It was back to freezing fingers. All the water troughs, poultry drinkers and the pool for the ducks were frozen as were the outside taps and hoses. This meant breaking the ice and filling up watering cans indoors to top up where needed and to de-ice the drinkers. 

With the grass frosted all day the sheep eat through their hay much more quickly. I give the pigs extra feed as they need additional energy to keep warm. The livestock don't seem to be troubled by very cold weather so long as it is not windy as well. Chickens are extremely hardy and overnight they still generate a lot of heat when they are huddled together in their housing. The turkeys rarely venture into their housing and prefer to perch outside overnight whatever the weather. I have installed a long perch in their run for this very purpose.

A long hard frost is good for the vegetable plots. It helps kill off any annual weeds as well as soil pathogens. Some vegetables benefit from frost too. Brussel sprouts and parsnips are said to be sweeter if they have experienced some frost. Freezing also prompts garlic bulbs to begin dividing into cloves. 

The clear skies that accompany cold, frosty weather meant that their was another cracking full moon to see at dusk when it is low in the sky.

Frosty fields