Having a blizzard dump around two feet of snow, with drifts much higher, means there will be a lot of extra work when it comes to doing chores. All gates need to be shoveled out and a path that a wheel barrow can fit in needs to be cleared in order to clean up manure. That means a path to the manure pile also has to be cleared. Don't forget the path from the barn to the house either! We also clear the road that we drive in on to bring hay, grain, and supplies to the barn. When the snow is deep, we use the snow blower to make paths for the alpacas. They love to spend their time in the snow, but dislike walking in the deep stuff. This gives them more space to be outside and makes enough room to feed them their grain outside also. Sometimes snow collects on the overhangs of the barn and has to be cleared. In the case of this storm, it was necessary to shovel the roof and use a roof rake to get the large amount of heavy snow off the roof.
Buster, Mikey, Miko and JJ are enjoying some hay outside as the snow begins to fall.
Kimmy was out in the snow for awhile, getting a light dusting of snow.
Buddy enjoying some time alone under the tree.
This is the entrance to the shop the morning after the blizzard!
The side entrance to the shop was blocked by a high drift.
The barn was covered with snow! I removed snow from the front and right side of the
barn where there was the most accumulation of snow.
It's hard to even tell where the stairs are leading up to the shop! They're just to the left of the hand railing that's barely sticking out of the snow on the right side of the photo.
It seemed like there was no end in sight, trying to dig out the stairs. Almost there!
Out back, the snow is perfectly untouched.
Ambrosia is enjoying some time outside in the snow. Alpacas don't mind the snow
and are usually outside in it.
The boys are enjoying their hay outside.
Champ is licking snow that the snow blower threw at the tree.
Alpacas seem to like licking snow!
Here's a view of the boys in the snow. Their colors really stand out against the white.
Here's a view of the girls from up on the roof. Every shovel full that landed on the edge of the roof, landed with a "thunk". This was some heavy snow that could have caused damage to the barn if left for too long. It's always better to be safe than sorry and do the work to keep the animals safe.
The roof is cleaned and ready for more snow to come!
The alpacas are enjoying their new white surroundings. Winter is really here now
and we're ready for the next round of snow at the farm.
~Rose
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