It was rather shocking how quickly our land became totally saturated and as the morning became afternoon, we began to realize that our words from just two days ago: ‘We wonder whether this time in a week the Cow Pad might be occupied!!!!’ were rather pertinent!! And so by 6pm, the cows were all snuggled down in 6 feet of straw inside their Winter Pad!!! They had actually stood outside the Pad at one point, backs into the wind and somewhat imploringly looking as though they wanted to come in!!
So as not to show favouritism, we put fresh straw in the field shelter for the sheep and alpacas too. The weather really has been so vile that even the alpacas ventured over to get under a bit of cover...
As far as the cows are concerned though, we are going to play it by ear: the additional gate we had put in that leads directly out to the field, was put there specifically so that if we want to let the cows back out at any time, we can do so. If we dry up and especially if the ground freezes, we may well consider letting them have a run around again. We don’t bring the cows in for their own good (they are actually quite hardy and they do have field shelter when out) but for the good of the land, so if we think the land can take it, they will go back out!!
For the next week or so though, they will be staying put – Storm Brian does disappear by the end of tomorrow but rain is still forecast for the rest of the week....