The animals know what to do in the heat.
The sheep move as little as possible in the shade of the pole barn. The donkeys stand all day long under the apple tree. Minnine and Flo sleep on the back porch only getting up to eat. And the hens cool off in the mouth of the apple tree.
Jon has retreated to his airconditioned study with Zinnia and Bud. Fate is more easy in the heat and I’m off to Bellydancing.
We are fortunate to have air conditioning, enough water, cool nights and heat that is only expected to last a few days.
Hi Maria.
Once upon a time I had a lovely flock five of hens. I lived in Sonoma County, CA (and still do) in a small house tucked
in the Sonoma Valley. It can get awfully HOT there. One blisteringly hot and miserable day it appeared the girls were quite uncomfortable. They stood under a tree, their sad little wings drooping, their tiny beaks open as they panted. I could see their pinkish tongues. I had to do something. I got out the water hose, and heavily sprinkled water to dampen numerous spots in the parched soil. In mere seconds ka-bam! They shot off like feathered rockets, flopped in the damp soil and made glorious clucks as they enjoyed their damp “dust” baths. What fun. I really loved taking care of them. To me they are miracles: eating numerous bugs, weedy green stuff, cooked noodles ( a favorite), kitchen scraps and then producing eggs even without the boys around. Enjoy. And thank you for all your posts.
What a great story Debrah! I can just see it. I imagine the hens dancing in the damp dust. They really are amazing creatures doing all those useful things for us and bringing joy just by looking at them. Thanks for your story.