Winter in Chicago really starts in October

I always think I’m more prepared than I am….we had some snow in October and we survived. Crispy is on the mend and back in the Coop with all the girls.

Then they predicted a blizzard. Those weather people always over react, right?

Not this time.

When we had 7 inches “before the worst had hit” I knew we were in trouble. The hubby is still on that crazy job and so it’s just the kids and animals here hanging in. Thank goodness for our wonderful neighbor who plowed our driveway…I didn’t know how the kids and I were going to shovel it all! School was canceled the next day…. but we still had work to do.

The baby chicks were hiding every day under a tarp near a bucket of sand. I had hoped the hubby would build something better on Thanksgiving, but that didn’t happen. Luckily I found inspiration in the dog run!

A little straw and bedding underneath and they were happy as can be. They did venture out to the main coop and to eat in the run, but they always had a safe place to hide if that bully Chickaletta came along…yes I think the mean one is the runt who used to get picked on by Soup!

The aftermath of our first blizzard of the year

We were saved from shoveling the driveway…but not the chicken coop! First I dumped the snow off the tarp and then I had a lot of shoveling to be able to open the door to the run. I also tried to make some paths because I knew the babies would want out and to go their hiding spot.

I enlisted the kids to help…but when they started rolling in the snow I reminded them of the chicken poop below and that ended fast!

Once the girls were out, we did have 3 eggs that day so they must be content!

We have had only ONE day with four eggs and then most days we have 2-3 eggs…no complaints here.

It’s going to be a long winter at this rate. I feel we are in a good place with the chickens….until the temperature drops below zero.

Other Updates: The cats are multiplying!

Oscar and Felix made the big move to the barn…their new home is in the bed of an old pick up truck. They sleep there and get the run of the barn during the day.

The kids loved having the cats, especially my daughter. She kept asking why we couldn’t have a house cat and reminded her of all the allergies in our friends and families. Then I saw mouse poop in the kitchen. I try to keep it very tidy BUT the Kitchen remodel is not complete and we live in the middle of nowhere.

Well, I always did want a black cat….meet Storm (The Purrfect Storm)…a little Black Friday shopping, Winter Storm and Giving Tuesday mixed in one. She is super shy, but warming up slowly to everyone.

She spent the first 24 hours IN my box spring. Today we were able to get her in the hall to eat and hopefully she will start to explore the rest of the house. She has a new bestie already.