Signs of Spring

Yesterday the Big Guy and Laura saw the first of the robins.  It must be spring.
Last week it was warm enough to clean the chicken coop for the first time since winter it.  It must be spring.

You're right--it doesn't necessarily look like spring, but it was 40 degrees outside!  The snow was melting and, as it turns out, it was a perfect day for cleaning the inside of the chicken coop.

Hoover was most helpful as I opened the trap door and laid out the tarp.  As I got into the project, I found that the mess itself was frozen enough to pick up and throw out the door easily.  Most of the chickens made their way outside.  There were a few, however, who chose chaos in familiar surroundings over having wet, cold "feet."

I hauled the full tarp out to the pasture, and couldn't pass up taking a picture to show you.  Off to the left is a 1900's baler that happened to be in the way when a Linden tree grew up through it.  The pile on the ground to the right is the load from the chicken coop that will provide great legume fertilizer for the sheep's grass. 

I had thrown down hay from the hay mow in the barn when the school bus arrived with Grace, Rachael, and Laura.  Grace came to give me hand, and the chore was quickly finished.  Hurray!  Spring is nearly here!