Farm Diary February 2026 Part One

Hoof & Feather Hollow By the Numbers

Goats: 12 (Welcome Still Meadow Rhythm & Oak Hill Kinders Rhapsody!)

Chickens: 9

Gallons of black walnut sap: 11

Tapped trees: 6

Temperature range: 14 - 70 degrees F

Mood: Hopeful

The arctic blast was supposed to blow out on February 1, instead got a few more inches of snow. The freeze must have popped off the cap of my water reservoir, so instead of it being frozen as I thought, it was empty! Fixed the cap and so thankful for water again!

After the freeze, a stretch of good sap running weather was on the menu, so I gathered the supplies and tapped a few trees.

There’s been some weather whiplash, but even so, I’m thankful, because it meant the snow and ice melted gradually instead of in a torrent of water.

Deep cleaning and reorganizing of the barn continues.

Rhythm and Rhapsody are both due in a couple weeks and are slowly acclimating to their new home. I am hopeful these lines will add some wonderful things to the udders in my herd. The girls have taken to me readily and have sweet and friendly personalities.