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What do you do with your animals when winter comes?  Well, some might say "make stew" and freeze them.  OK, that works when you're hungry.  Your chickens, cattle, sheep, goats, and whatever else you are raising need care just like you.  Smaller animals such as chickens freeze easily, so you might want to put jackets on them.  I'm kidding.  Investing in a couple of heat lamps for the coop is an inexpensive way to keep your hens cozy when it's cold, and they may even continue to lay eggs in the winter.  I've had hens lay eggs year round, but the production in the cold does slow down. 

Whatever animal you keep, you may even want to consider a solar heater for the barn or shelter you keep your animals.  Some have natural heavy coats, but the elements don't always keep the cold at bay.  A solar heater would work well if the power where you live went out.  I'd even stay in the barn with the animals if it was toasty there while the power was out! 

Another thing to do is to stock up on feed for your animals.  Keep the bags or alfalfa on pallets or tarps to keep the food dry and from getting moldy.  Food, such as dog or cat food, should be stored in tall trash cans so mice don't pillage the food and leave their droppings in it.  I like to use aluminum so they can't chew through it.  Don't forget, you also have vegetable and fruit scraps to feed your animals as well.  Give this to them as part of their daily diet. Keeps them healthy, and it's considered recycling!

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