A Rooster Show Down (How do you handle the cold?) | VLOG

Hey ya'll, I'm Jess from Roots & Refuge Farm
Welcome to a place that feels like home. A small farm with a big family. We hope you'll pull up a chair, grab some coffee and visit awhile.
There was a time that all I wanted in the world was a little farm where I could raise my family and grow our food. Now, that is exactly what exists outside my door. In watching it unfold, a new dream was formed in my heart - to share this beautiful life with others and teach them the lessons we've learned along the way. Welcome to our journey, friend. I am so glad you're here.
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#rootsandrefuge

[@Sheila-hu6km]

Oh Jess, I couldn't walk past my sons bedroom without bursting into tears. I still miss his 3 year old grace over lunch. "Dear Jesus... thank you for the gorilla cheese sandwich... Hey man"! I miss feeding his friends, and listening to them jamming, and having to fill in if the drummer didn't show up😂 I miss guitar strings, and picks that made their way into the laundry. His trombone, and trumpet. The silence from that room was so loud! I am so proud of what an upstanding man he is, and I'm ok as long as he's ok.❤

[@BradfordHomestead]

My sons buddies from high school football( they’re 25 now) have been helping with the repairs at my fire damaged home! It’s been wonderful to hear them all together (6 young men now) cutting up while working. It does a mama’s heart good! I have been there twice with them; and they’re coming back Saturday for some final touches/and of course Mama is making dinner 😍 I understand what you’re feeling mama. It’s wonderful having these amazing young men around, but bittersweet to think of them as little guys.

[@BonnieJoan]

I live in one of those deathly cold places in the middle of Canada. 🇨🇦 Yes, we bury our waterlines, we keep our chickens in their coop, possibly with a heater on for just the coldest days. I do prefer the cold winters to your blistering hot summers! But I guess we just bloom where we’re planted, right? Lots of love to you!

[@ittybit922]

Same here! 🇨🇦 We have water heaters in all our animals waters and personally we carry water from the house. It’s the only place with thawed water lines!

[@cherylkrause9720]

Heat tape on exposed pipes

[@HarvestingFaithHomestead]

@@ittybit922we carry water from the house too.

[@africanrootsfarm-Christamor]

❤

[@deborahmcavena5055]

🇨🇦 Canadian here too, hoping the cold vortex didn't hit you and your pets/animals too hard, we bring wood for the fire for the wood burning furnace in before the cold snap and make sure to set up systems so chores are efficient

[@cindym4946]

All 3 of my kids are in their 40's and Im 73. i also mourn like you. I miss the littles they once were but am terribly proud of the people they have become.

[@mamabear968]

My 6th child just turned 18. I still have 2 littles, but the time is flying by so fast. Some parts of it feel so heavy and sad. It didn’t occur to me that it was grief that I was feeling, but you’re right. I’m feeling the loss of my tiny babies. That doesn’t mean that I’m not proud and excited for what comes next for all of them, I absolutely am! But it’s also important to acknowledge what has been lost to gain this new path. Thank you for sharing your garden, homestead and heart with us Jess. It’s always a privilege and a pleasure ❤

[@joelc9421]

I am in the same situation. Butter sweet

[@LittleHomesteadOnHinerPond]

That must be what gets me down sometimes, more so after the holidays. I’m grieving my little babies who are all adults with their own little ones.

[@queenizzy01]

I’m 25 (rounding the corner of 26), getting ready to get married in May and my sister is 22. My mom has said to me that she’s been having dreams of the two of us when we were babies (or dreams of us dying 😰😂 thanks mom). I think it’s her mind grieving us as helpless babies, needing her help/protection/etc with everything and anything, but now we’re flying the nest and don’t need her help as much as before (trust me I still need her)

[@aprilgarrahan3245]

My 27-year-old son just recently married and it was definitely a grief process, knowing he was no longer mine but now belonged to another.

[@desertfamilyhomestead3127]

@@aprilgarrahan3245he is still your son you are just sharing him now.

[@karenjohnson7355]

The grief is short. When your babies start giving you grand babies the joy fills you up again. Nothing better than grandbabies to love and spoil and teach and play with. All the fun of kids with none of the stress!

[@ellendunn559]

I hope I am so blessed someday. My dear mother didn’t live long enough to see her grands, and my poor dad had to wait until he was 77!

[@shirleyjoneswellman9946]

We live near Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Tonight will be minus 19 C and our 12 chickens and 10 ducks and one rooster are sheltering in structures without heat. They did this last winter as well when the temperature was minus 30 Celsius. They have heated water bowls, and the chickens still lay eggs, and the ducks and rooster still come outside for awhile everyday...although the rooster is cranky and grumbles about it a lot. The chickens stay inside. So....they adapt and its doable...lots of straw!

[@livmegargle5420]

We talk about the changes of the baby years, we talk about teenage years, we even talk about empty nesting but we don’t talk much about the awkward in between where the fledglings are starting to leave the nest one by one. You have to learn how to be a family again as the changes happen, a new smaller quieter family. You mourn the loss of control you have over their choices and have to navigate how much you should say or not say when their choices or values may be different than yours. They even seem to go through some of their twenties trying to prove the ways they are independent and not like you before I think the pendulum swings back again and they grasp the good and connection more tightly again. It’s quite a journey. I didn’t realize it would be as challenging as it is. But also, I look at these tall grown kids and see how beautiful they all are and marvel at their lovely ness and how I got the honor of nurturing them from their tiny beginnings and stand amazed at it all as well. I think we should definitely talk more about these transitions! I wrote a blog post about it when I was heavily processing all this not too long ago. My babies are 23, 20, 18 and 14 with a supple of significant others added to the mix and a first grand baby girl due in June😍 I’ll link to it if anyone needs a read brambleandposy.co/blogs/news/to-the-mothers

[@jamiereynolds9701]

I was born and raised in iowa and had 5 children most of my life was on farms and buckets of snow were carried inside to melt or just dumped into the water troughs. I can not count the hours of scooping snow drifts and breaking ice so animals could have water. I adore you for your resilancce. All my children are adults so yes i feel the grief of my children being grown. The children do not have any memory of the waters being frozen.they joked that i was an octopus mother because everything always got done. I never did chores before noon if it was bitter cold because i let the sun do it's job of thawing things first.

[@mostuniquemary]

My oldest (22) just moved out in October. I was so excited for him, especially since he was getting an apartment with my bestie/his uncle who just moved back to the states. We busted our butts all day and he chose to spend the night there. I came home and it really hit me. My baby boy doesn't live here any more. His apartment is literally 5 minutes away by car and yet it felt like 5000 miles in those moments. I became the Mom who makes sure he has plenty to eat and "here, take my leftovers." It's really true that the nights are long and the years are short. He went from this little boy to this Viking looking dude in the span of about 3 weeks. In truth, he's still my little boy. 🥰

[@marylinkrohn9185]

We live in Minnesota and are sub zero now, -18 last night. We put tank heaters in our cattle tanks that don't always keep running and switch out. Have a heated dog dish for chicken coop. Definitely more work caring for animals in winter. Keep enjoying your kids while they're still under your roof, truly precious time😊

[@jIlLiAnganz]

Anyone else find joy in that crunching sound of walking on gravel? Or is that just me? Haha

[@kariannecrysler640]

There’s heat “tape” you can run down the pipes. Many well setups are in ground, above ground have a pump house & you can heat it with underground lines out to your buildings. I don’t have a farm, but I grew up with them and many well houses are built with/beside the barn.

[@tys168]

Our location is central Michigan and our waterlines are buried 4 feet down. Our hydrants are “dressed” with winter hats or coats. This helps keep the handles from freezing. We tote 5 gallon buckets to water our small animals, miniature horse, donkey, and mule, goats, chickens, ducks. Bunnies are in a heated barn with milk gallons of water. Our chickens have heated bases for the metal waterer on top, then we use heaters for troughs for our horses. We praise God for these things to keep our animals safe and drinking. When the snow is too much for our side by side we use an ice fishing sled to haul all the feed, hay, and water around. We have a “short” hose to run water from the hydrants to our troughs that we connect and then disconnect to keep in our office. We have two horses (one is 39 years old) who need mashes due to tooth problems and those soak inside our office between feedings. Our staff and I are grateful for this warm space (a modular house) where we can thaw and enjoy hot coffee or cocoa! We praise God for our tractor and skid steer to move snow to create pathways. Our bad storm brought approximately 15 inches of snow which came over my knees. We bundle up and carry hand and toe warmers. We definitely are grateful when spring comes! It feels like it takes things much less time! 😊❤ God bless you Jess! I honestly can’t do high heat and humidity well. Have a beautiful day!!

[@tomdixon7264]

Large livestock in Saskatchewan for the most part all stay out in the field, nobody has barns for 100+ beef animals. Horses too. They grow hair enough to look like a bear, and as long as they can get behind trees to stop the wind they are fine even at -40. Water in the barnyard is by frost-free hydrant, and our lines must be buried a minimum 6 feet, but 8 is much better. Poultry is the hardest thing to keep comfortable in our winters.

[@homesteadlove]

👋 Northern Iowa here, we have barns that have plumbing. Yours are just outside ours are in the barn or shed. Also frost free hydrates are required.❤ I love that you pose these questions. 😊

[@WindyRidge3348]

Water lines to frost free hydrants are buried at least six feet. Some people have automatic heated waters similar to your automatic fillers in your livestock tanks, but they only fill with a small amount of water that a heater keeps warm enough to not freeze. My chickens won't leave the coop if their feet have to touch the snow. I use a "poop board" under the roost to catch all the droppings. They've been frozen into solid mountains of poo for over a week. Warm up is coming next week. Time to clean it all up and get the coop ready for the next subzero temperatures. We were about four days this week that didn't get above zero. Fun times! We're empty nesters and loving it! Got a couple of grandkids and enjoy watching our kids go after life with drive to succeed.

[@lisakenyon9429]

I grew up in Rhode Island. The North East. We had a hydrant in the barn. On cold days we had to use a hair drier to melt the ice in top of hydrant … I have carried water to my horses in buckets from the kitchen sink. We do what we gotta do! Rubber bowls fir the chickens. You can turn them over and stomp the ice out and then fill with warm water. We love our babies… we motor on!

[@ellendunn559]

The emptying nest stage is much harder than I expected. Missing them, learning to keep my mouth shut most of the time, learning a new relationship with each of them, living with knowing that as hard as I tried, I made mistakes, and realizing that this is the first time in my life that I haven’t known exactly what I’m supposed to do next. Makes me realize how utterly oblivious I was to how my parents felt when I - their only child - left home for college and beyond.

[@katherineb6102]

Working on a horse farm, I learned to carry a hammer to bust open the ice in the stock tanks and when the horses came in for the night we filled their buckets with very warm water and they knew to drink it before it got to cold. All the spigots were designed to totally drain out but sometimes they froze anyway. As bad as the cold was it didn't compare to the flies, heat and hayloft misery of summer. I loved that job, truly.

[@l.m.4014]

For sure...."Flies, Heat and Hayloft misery of summer." > I hate the heat. I can't even garden... if it's above 75 degrees. Morning and Evening only. (and even after dark) You can put more clothing on if you are cold... but if it's too hot...🥵 I would have to garden Naked! Sadly.... my naked gardening days are over. > The neighbors would surely complain. But even then you would need, an entire bottle of sunscreen and the insects would eat you alive. 🦟🪰 🪳🪰🦟

[@perlgerl]

I keep a sturdy stick and an old spatula in the coop to break up the ice if it's not too thick😂

[@christinatravman]

I had sheep in Idaho, and it frequently got below zero in the winter. We had frost free water trough for the sheep. And they also chose to eat snow. I would take that weather over hot and humid.

[@JetskiErin]

There are all sorts of reasons that I adore you but the Land Before Time tree star references are really tops on that list for me 🥰

[@samanthavolk4577]

This year, esp during this cold streak where it got to - 50 here in Alberta Canada, we hauled water multiple times a day, and animals were all kept indoors with lots and lots of bedding. We also use heated dog bowls during the winter for our chickens, and for our big flock, we have a heated plate that their waterer sits on.

[@wendyjonasen9746]

Goodness, my oldest is 43, but I still remember the grief that I felt when we took her to college. I remember feeling upset when people talked about being 'an empty nester' as if it was something good. It's definitely a process.

[@cherylveevers3768]

So nice to hear I'm not alone in missing my little ones at the same time being proud of the adults they've become.

[@missthang4770]

Hi Jess. Canadian gardener here. Our water lines are buried below the frost line. That could be anywhere from 18 inches to 6 feet, depending on the province/latitude. If water lines are buried at the appropriate depth we don't have a problem with freezing pipes as long as the building itself stays above freezing temperatures. Many of our neighbours are farmers and, yes, the animals do spend the severely cold days and nights inside a snug barn, but it's not at all unusual to see cows, donkeys, alpacas, goats and sheep out in a barnyard in the middle of winter. Most home gardeners in this climate just use the winter to pore over seed catalogues, buy more seeds than we can possibly ever use, plan the next season's garden and dream of warmer weather while feeding our habit by looking after house plants!

[@jodihiddenhillfarmvt1605]

I'm in Vermont. We do have water in our barn but it is fed from our house. So we have a turn on in the basement. In the winter, probably twice a week we turn it on, fill up troughs and extra buckets, clean buckets as well. Then it needs to be opened up and drained back into five gallon buckets in the basement. The other days I use recycled cat litter jugs that get filled with hot water in the bath tub and tote them up hill to the barn twice a day. Yup. It's work. But at this very moment, although I don't love winter, this year was so wet and muddy here I am happy to have solid ground instead of mud.

[@stephanieg5195]

I used to live on a ranch in ND (I was from very southern Florida!) the water lines were buried deep but still froze! An axe comes in handy to try to keep water accessible! A small propane tank is necessary for trying to thaw out the water tank pipes! You just have to keep on top of it all! Some days it would take hours to get one tank thawed out!

[@shannonwhitfield8407]

We water them with the tears we cry from our cold cold hearts as we dream about the far off summer

[@danaokay]

I’ve been watching your old garden tours and have been so curious what you’d say about them in hindsight! Have you ever thought about doing reaction videos to them to talk about what worked and what you’d do differently now? You’ve definitely inspired me to document my 2nd year garden, thank you for all the inspiration and encouragement!! 💚

[@sandyoklahomatransient8557]

Sweet Jess, I remember the days as a kid living in the U.P. of Michigan with the wind chills off of Lake Superior and the temperatures real low, negative numbers with all kinds of snow. Luckily for my sister, and I the only animals we had back then were dogs. When my mom was a kid living there they had pigs, and chickens to contend with in the winter. I know they were hauling water back in years 1945 through 1963 along with straw to keep the animals warm. It's been 45 year since I've been back to my home town of Marquette. I don't think I'll ever live there again, maybe just visit when it's warm (summer time). As I get older, extreme temperatures are too much to deal with. Cherish every moment your kiddos are young, they grow up fast, and go of to college, military, or want to be on their own to start their lives.

[@scofieldfarm]

I 100% relate to the parenting grief you are talking about, which is bittersweet because it definitely is sweet to see our kids grow up! I am doing the same thing, picking out the kid pics for my 2nd born, and he turns 18 in a week... my oldest turns 20 in just a couple weeks... and it is such a surreal feeling to look back at moments that don't feel that long ago and yet they are. Goodness, going to cry right now writing this. So proud and so missing the little boy stage.

[@Sarah-ki7sj]

I live in southwestern Ontario, Canada and we carry pails of water out daily from our basement to our chickens. We also put tons of straw in the coops to help keep the chickens warm (we don’t supplement with heat in the coops). We’ve got a couple of nights coming up where it’s supposed to be between -20°c to -25°C overnight, then it’s supposed to start getting a bit warmer from there. I’m definitely looking forward to spring here…we have winters where you can feel the cold right into your bones, no matter how warmly you’re dressed.

[@dancnluc1]

I have 4 grown kids (31, 34, 37, and 39). It was so hard seeing them leave home. I remember people saying they could not wait til their kids were grown and out of the house. I was opposite - I wanted to hang onto them. Then came along grandkids.

[@gardenstatesowandsew]

I was the same way. I absolutely loved snow days, holiday breaks and summer break. Mine are 31,32,34. I still have empty nest grief.

[@nancygrant6442]

I don’t think the empty nest grief ever goes away😢

[@gardenstatesowandsew]

@@nancygrant6442 I don’t think so either. Hugs

[@miephoex]

I have children that are 55-54-48. 10 Grandchildren that range from 8 to 32. Great Grandchildren that are four months, six months, two one year olds, one two year olds and one three year old. I got lost along the way. They are so busy growing their own circles. God is good. 🙏

[@DeniseRedinger-ep6gy]

I know what you mean about being melancholy when our kids grow up and leave home. My oldest granddaughter will be 18 next week and she’s graduating this year. I sit and wonder where have these past 18 years gone?!?! It is exciting to see our kids and grands build their own lives but it’s also a bit sad. I love how you speak from your heart!! 💜

[@thensley3624]

OMGoodness I love the animals!

[@raversmead]

The rooster showdown brings back such fond memories ❤ And the little bantam with the squeaky voice trying to join in with the big boys was adorable 😂😂

[@trinityrosales8699]

I just absolutely adore you Jess. Thank you so much for talking and sharing with us. You have inspired me so much to spiritually and physically harder clearing away the weeds and planting things that are beneficial. Please never stop being awesome. Much love!

[@heathernotzdaniels6350]

I'm still going through mom grief, and mine are 23 and 25. I never wanted more, mostly because of my body, but I did always want them to stay small longer, so I could just savor all of the hugs, kisses, moments, adoration naps, funny moments, love that we shared. If I could put my 6'7" son on my lap, I'd do it again in a heartbeat. If I could bake a cake with my little girl, showing and teaching her the whole way, I'd do it again without hesitation. I am indeed very fortunate that I have wonderfully made people that have grown into amazing people.

[@queenizzy01]

I’m 25 about to get married in May, my sister is 22. My mom is going through something very similar, she’s expressed to me that she’s been having dreams of us as babies (some pleasant and some not so much) and like you and many other commentors said: I think she’s grieving who we were as babies and children and transitioning to this next phase of life

[@heathernotzdaniels6350]

@@queenizzy01 Don't misunderstand, I absolutely love that my babies are grown ups, I am extremely proud of who they are as adults and I love love love them in ways that only a mom could, I guess. The amount of pride I have when I see them, or talk about them is completely evident to anyone. I'm not sad they have transitioned, and grown up before my eyes. Congratulations on your upcoming marriage :) That's exciting! Give you mom an extra hug on that day, just because. :)

[@Cara-he8qn]

We're in Canada and very small scale, just chickens and rabbits. They are in converted sheds, but waters still freeze when it gets to about -4C outside. We break ice out of the chicken waterer by thumping it on the ground, and for the rabbits we fill bowls and swap out their water bottles 2-3x times daily. The logistics of winter water is definitely one of the things holding me back from getting goats! We have to haul water from the house.

[@rhondaschenk5727]

It is bittersweet for moms. We raised 3 boys to be beautiful citizens of the world and that’s the goal. But i sure miss driving them to all of their practices and games, etc. etc. I tell my boys (and daughters-in-law] now, don’t blink. They will grow up too fast! Now they are giving us sweet & perfect grandchildren - #7 on the way. ❤️

[@dhansonranch]

I smiled Jess! As someone who lives where it can get 40 below or colder, water is a pain. Water lines are buried 8 foot down below the frost line. Even then though, my sewer lines have frozen solid before. For fresh water for the animals, I fill one trough with garden hoses from the house that I bring in right after. For the birds, I then pail it all to them out of that trough. The other troughs are filled from the the house as well but the hoses have to be fully drained to prevent freezing. Every trough has a floating tank heater in it to keep it liquid. Some folks have the same taps as you, just the drain line is just deeper. When I have to haul water, planning is requited so that ball valves don't freeze. And walking with frozen ski pants is a thing. Birds are in coops but animals live outside with bush for shelter. It is an adventure! But in summer when it gets to 30 C (86 F) plus it all becomes a memory as I sweat like crazy! Good video Jess!

[@gperillat]

👆 This for us as well. Our water lines lines are buried deep, and we haul garden hoses from the house everyday (sometimes twice a day) to water the animals. Chickens in a good insulated coop but still have access to outside, we just close them in at night and have heaters. Our cows stay outside the entire winter, we make straw bedding everyday for them to sleep and stay warm and they do fine. They only go in the barn if they calve out and it's too cold for the calf.

[@user-gh7ue2gr8i]

We have horses, so we blanket them, and they have their barn to protect them from the weather. It's 7 degrees Fahrenheit here today. Our pipes are buried 4 foot down, so our frost free spicket doesn't freeze usually. The horses' water is carried by bucket to their heated buckets in their stalls. We have heated water for the chickens, too. Its more work in the winter for sure!

[@kristinemagnien1]

Here in southern saskatchewan, we just got through the cold blast and it got down to -40C (-50C with the windchill) Our pigs stay outside in a three sided shelter (uninsulated) with the open end facing south. We fill it halfway full with dry straw and the pigs bury themselves in the straw. When they step out to eat, a huge cloud of steam comes out too. I also have a 50 galon drum wrapped with insulation and a heating element inside to keep the water from freezing. The heat from their mouths that the water nipples. Our chickens usually run free in the greenhouse portion of their coop in the winter but in this extra freeze, their body heat is all they need in their insulated side. And an electric heated chicken waterer is what we use. Everything gets filled with pails because you dont darr turn on an outside faucet in this cold😊

[@minifarmwife6753]

Frost tender flower from Ohio here. 😂 Starter "hobby farm" here. We lack the really good infrastructure so yep...we tote water to the chickens when it's too cold to run the hose. We do the trip a few times a day to make sure the chickens and ducks have fresh water that's not frozen. We used to use the heater base for the waterer but we found that that caused a different set of issues and just make the trip out a few extra times each day. It's always worse when it's a pig year because that's a lot of trips walking up the hill carrying the full 5 gallon bucket of water from the house to fill the 55 gallon drum. And yes, we do use a livestock water heater in that one to keep it from freezing. If you happen to be even more curious, we use the showerhead in the bath tub to fill the buckets bc it fills quicker that way. 😂

[@reneecasey5719]

we are in Middle TN and had extreme cold this week- we purchased Freeze Miser- brand- hose connector to prevent the faucets from breaking - they were awesome we still have temps near 0 --- we came from Northern Illinois- we toted water to the animals--- we didn't have gardens in winter- it was dangerous cold-- extreme snow- we canned everything before cold came to have food over the winter- we have our 10th child graduating this year( last one)-- ya-- WHEW-- so many memories-- so many joys and tears- I understand----- a million hugs to you

[@Romans828girl]

We are also in Middle TN. Howdy, neighbor!

[@jenniferrastley7337]

My baby was 14 when we announced we were expecting another baby. I turned 43 when i delivered him. There is 20 years youngest to oldest. He is such a blessing

[@nancycosta6204]

Yep, we break the water every day. Don’t put too much water in the trough. Just enough for all the cows and horses to get a good drink. Snuggle up to the milk cow because they give off great heat! And heated water dishes for the chickens in the coup. Plus we put a light in the chicken house in order to help warm the coop. Heated water bowls for the cats in the barn. It is a constant battle for the winter. Ran into a neighbor at the gas station today and we discussed how we wished it would get above freezing. And we are in Northern Idaho I am sure the people in Canada have a bigger struggle. But the view from the warm house across the snow covered fields while drinking a warm cup of tea is beautiful.

[@maryandroydeibert3221]

We live in the Black Hills of South Dakota and had -24 this past week with wind chills in the -40s or lower. Our water outside has been drained and disconnected since late Oct. we do reconnect if when we get an unusually warm spell to water trees and yes, fill all the jugs in our little greenhouse. The pets stay in except for short potty trips outside. You find indoor hobbies for winter months. Mine are watercolor painting, pottery, and reading. I enjoy your weather through your VLOGs, so thank you!

[@MsJatek]

Land Before Time!!! Little Foot💝

[@chasityellis3260]

Grown ups now stand where my preterm tiny babies used to be. We unfortunately don't get the grief warning. At times we can't wait for our children to become independent and when they do it crushed us. We long for the days of laughter and tiny feet running around, the mommy kiss my boo-boo and the just one more need time sorry. I'm so proud of my kids and the loves they are creating but man does coming home to a quiet empty house break my heart. Thank you Jess for sharing your family and your farm with all of us

[@chasityellis3260]

Some typos thanks to the tears

[@hestiasgardenhomestead7562]

Frost free hydrants, empty hoses every time, or tote it.

[@LorenMarieP]

I’m in Vermont, and we use a small pond with a pond heater for all of our birds. The ducks and geese still like to go for a dip, and the chickens drink straight from the pond. To keep the water clean and filled, we just shovel more snow into the pond 😂

[@hailey6504]

Illinois-Wisconsin border here; we do it all. Heat tape around exposed pipes, disconnect hose from spigot after use, heat producing lightbulb in the hose box, and bucket water when it's just easier than doing the hose. Rugs and sheets for the horses who don't puff up like teddy bears, heated water buckets for all! And deep bedding both for animals and the garden beds that have overwintering crops.

[@marniehulton1045]

How I handle the cold--it was -38/-40C last week--I hibernate inside and quilt. That’s what I do until it’s time to start sowing seeds . Live in Hinton Alberta Canada, and that record cold arctic blast was a surprise wake up. We had had above freezing temperatures until then, and unseasonably warm winter.

[@samblack4616]

We have an insulated inside coop with a heated waterer but we do tote fresh water in every day. -25 C plus windchill here Thanks for sharing your farm 💗

[@ambersimpson75]

That's a hard one, I'm still working on it. But after a while it gets better. He will always need me, he just wants me to focus my energy on something else too. I saw him laugh a little one day when he saw me talking to my spoutlings. Helping those little plants grow helped us both, and hear we go again this year. Thank you for all your help too💜💜💜💜

[@sandrasstitches6108]

One nice thing about having two different age groups in our children is that the mourning of “losing” our firstborns to adulthood, we still have younger ones to tamper that grief. By the time the younger ones are entering adulthood we’ve had more time to adapt to the reality of our new impending way of life ❤

[@pattygnuse8788]

Jess, you're so sweet! I live in Montana and just a few weeks ago the temperature dropped to -37° Fahrenheit! At least it wasn't -41° like last year. Our faucets are what is called a "frost free". The pipes go down below the frost line. The water comes up when turned on, then drops back down so it doesn't freeze. I keep a heated waterer inside the chicken coop, however the birds do go outside during the day in the run. I chose breeds that are more cold tolerant, Brahama's and Wyandotte. They love sitting out on the hay bales in the Sun...when we get to see it! 🌞 Thank you for bring a little Sunshine and greenery to my white winter❤ Patty

[@metalmartha2571]

I live in a deadly, cold climate lol northern Canada 🇨🇦 chickens stay in the coop with lots of deep bedding, water is towed out to them twice a day or in heated bowls. Grains are generally sprouted first in the house, and then brought out to the birds, as there are zero greens available other than kitchen scraps. Our summers are blistering hot for the most part lol by blistering hot I mean warm fall southern temperatures lol. We joke about how lucky you are but but much like we are prepared for our winters. You are more prepared for your summers. What I see on your farm mostly is suntanning conditions lol at least I feel like im in the garden with you as you get to start so much earlier than I do. Much love from your northern friends. ❤

[@katiez5660]

My first child is a preschool teacher. One of her students hugged her and said they loved her. Such sweet babies.

[@HillTopRooted]

So glad you touched on the grief that comes with becoming an empty nester. I can be hard. My daughter is spending a couple nights with me. We are having a massive sleepover and she is 33. 🥰. I know there will be tears when she leaves to go back to her place. So glad to know I am not alone. Thank you for mentioning that!!! Blessings! 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽💜

[@andrewlittlefield3425]

Jason from coghill farm uses a bracelet and put it on the wrist when they turn the water on to remember to turn the water off 😊

[@emilygardner]

This video had me crying while I got ready for the day. My 5.5 month old was motor boating in her crib happy as can be. She is growing so fast. I know what you mean by the grief already

[@galeharris6696]

My boy is now 35, almost 36 years old, and I still miss his littleboy self. Long ago, my partner gave me a goofy little wedding groom doll that looked just like my chubby-cheeked boy when he was young, to soothe my mother's heart when my son went to Chile for a semester of college. He seemed so far away and so grown up, I would just break down, and Mike would bring the "Clancy-man" doll over for me to hold in place of my boy. I still have the little doll on my bed, and he soothes me still, all these years later.

[@Ginger-sm5ed]

Im in southern Ontario our waterlines are 4 foot minimum. Dairy on the prarie was setting up waterlines for her goats. Waterlines Saskatchewan 12 feet deep. Baffles my little brain

[@jessicajenkins8033]

Instant tears! You briefly mention about Jackson graduating and the emotions it brings up. I feel like I have uncontrolled tears weekly thinking about my Junior and the “lasts” we are experiencing. It’s hard to put into words the feelings but you somehow do. Thank you

[@AngelaSissySnyder]

The rooster showdown is hilarious! Love it!

[@lyndseyrosha9480]

I cherish your daily talks of gardening dreams and real life truths!! 🫶🏻🫶🏻

[@driftingsoulsisters]

Good morning from Australia. I hope you have a glorious day😊

[@gailmcdonald1946]

Morning fellow Aussie, And how wet and weird has our weather been for summer time.... its crazy

[@carissalizotte8977]

Maine here… I own/ operate a horse farm with 15 on property. We have ways with water. We are fortunate to have Nelson automatic waterers in each pasture. They help A ton! In the barn the buckets so freeze when it’s real cold so it’s just managing going out to check a lot, breaking ice, refreshing the water and bringing out hot water from the house if need be. Heat tape is great also.

[@aliciaschwartz3]

Yes!!! Grief of your growing kids... 😢 so wonderful and sad all at once.

[@bonitahunter8905]

Jess simple living Alaska just posted a video on their chicken coop setup.. I love following them

[@hannahrosefl]

Land before time, every single time 😭😭🙌🙌

[@Joe-xu6pe]

Land before time for sure! Tree star vibes 1000%

[@BadWordsAreMyLoveLanguage]

Oh my...my sweet 27-y/o baby is a 6'3" firefighter (fixin to promote to Engineer) with a whole mustache and everything. I still see him as a baby when i look in his eyes. 👨🏽‍🚒❤️

[@elizabethbrown8155]

Live in Utah. We got hot dry summers and cokd winters. Currently ive two feet of snow and monday night it got down to 10. Chickens are in the coop. Horses and cows are out but have access to shelter. We actually bury our water troughs in the ground a couple feet. This works well enough that we dont have to fiddle around with heaters like most here. We do have to bust ice in the morning off the top. Water line is deep. Love everything you share and teach.

[@dlsdyer9071]

Garden answer has their cut off valves below the ground in boxes with a lid. They put air through the lines to flush them out before winter. Their actual lines are a determined depth to stay below frozen ground depth. Sandi Brock (sheep breeder in CA) they have heat wires that run along the water lines. The veggie boys use an empty high tunnel for individual calf pens with a generous portion of bedding hay that produces enough heat to keep the water pails from freezing. The chickens have heated water systems. Sometimes if it doesn’t work they have to carry water from upstairs water spout down through the building to the chickens. They also sell the two year old group of chickens in small batches (to keep the price up and so that they are sold as layers to homesteaders) as they are getting to the point of being less productive and not as good for their profit margin. This means that they only have one group to worry about watering during the winter. The open chicken area in the barn is then converted into more cattle shelter where the water stays warmer.

[@jemmamomma]

Michigander here and I do tote 5 gallon buckets of warm water out for our goats, chickens,ducks and turkeys on an ATV 😊

[@Bjorksons]

I live in Sweden, and here all farm animals are kept inside their stables and barns in the nighttime, and some of them all the time, and have water sometimes in electrically heated automatic water cups, that does not freeze, in their, stalls, other times the water is carried from an indoor water spigot in buckets, out to them. When I worked at a riding school many years ago, and it got down to minus 30 degrees celsius, one winter, the horses only got to go out in the fields for a few hours , because the were needed back in the stable so the waterline in the stable would not freeze.

[@suehill6194]

I love bittersweet and looking back with a new POV. We can handle more than we think! ..and I loved your pause at the end! ❤️

[@christinaward161]

Thankyou for todays video Jess. You have your garden spark back now that your are busy in the garden again. Noone can prepare you for that sense of loss when the children no longer need you in the same way. I have six children and it hurt bad with each one, just like a loss, Eventually you and your grown up child find a new relationship ,as they follow their own journey. I have spend many a day wondering what on earth my purpose is now that the last one is just about to follow her dreams. Thankfully i have the little patch of growing to keep me busy. I am so looking forward to the Spring and getting seeds started (i already have a few on the window sill!) xx

[@tammyshepherd1152]

Hi Jess! Right now in CT, it's 15 degrees. It's cold! I have a stream in my backyard that I fill buckets of water with to give to my chickens and ducks. It's not fun but it's what I have. Stay warm.❤

[@alannahvankoughnett2369]

Hey. We just had a 10 day cold snap in Alberta. Our house got to -55°c. We always, even in the summer, manually tote water out to animals and garden everyday. It's our "reason" so to speak to be out there with the animals and plants and get that extra time with everything. I find it makes our relationships stronger with out homestead. And we find joy in seeing the growth that happens seemingly over night in some cases. It's also helped us to not miss the births of our livestock. And when it gets extra cold out we go out more often to make sure all is still good. I sometimes wish we lived in a warmer climate, but then I think if we did then maybe we wouldn't be outside as often because automating things would be so much easier. So yeah, we have winter more than any other season, but for now it works for us. I love watching your channel. I feel like if it wasn't for you and how optimistic you are, I might not have seen homesteading the way I do. Thank you😊

[@BooksandButterfliesBookstagram]

All my kids are grown (the oldest 30 now) and you don't ever stop feeling the bittersweet...and the sad hits harder on some days. It's the only job where you give all and do it just to feel that loss...and would do it again... It's hard... Prayers will head your way

[@WilderPathFarm]

I am a Canadian homesteader. we frequently get -30C /-22F. There are frost free hydrants that are pulling water from the well that’s deeper than the frost line. We’ll be putting in hydrants this year. But this winter we have large water totes in our heated garage that we fill every week. And use to water animals daily. We defrost our outdoor spigot to refill it every week. I’m putting out fresh water for all animals daily that’s warm. Our animals still go out. 2 horses go out no issues, 2 Nubian goats love to be out and although our chickens hate the 2ft of snow we have they come out as well. Everyone goes inside at night or bad weather because it can get nasty when the storms roll in. Water freezes daily so you need to replace or get water heaters for everything and run it 24/7. I was actually about to film a video tomorrow about what I wear in -30C to do farm chores and what we do differently for the animals to help them adjust to the cold temps.

[@lindaandstevejensen2002]

We had hydrants that were insulated and designed to work in the cold. It had a float system so as the cattle drank,it automatically refilled to a given depth. Make no mistake, it was always at -20 F that something went wrong and we would be out there with an arm down in the water to fix it! Gotta love farming with livestock!

[@sharithompson1672]

My first went off to college last year and I did the same with the photos that you did, Jess. I made a video of them with all the songs that represented his childhood, including a couple of absolutely beautiful country songs I found about watching that tiny beautiful baby boy grow into a wonderful young man. The pride and, yes pain, I went through making that video…. 😢 Im getting all choked up even now just remembering the feelings I had while making it. Parenthood is certainly the most amazing, though bittersweet in how fleeting childhood really is, experience in the world. Bless you for the terrific mom you are to all your “little ones”, even though youre now eye-level with the shoulders of some of them! 💕

[@adelechlebeck1587]

We have a tiny homestead so we probably jury right more than most. We haul water for chickens and rabbits. Chickens have a heated waterer in their permanent coop, but it's always empty by morning because the ducks are in there too. Rabbits get hot water bottles which gradually freeze through the day. Our cow and sheep have a single large trough which we fill every couple of days and haul the hose from inside, fill the trough, empty the hose and return it inside. The trough has a heater when it's under 0, otherwise we just break the ice. It was -16 earlier this week and -40 wind-chill. Milking is the hard part.

[@samanthahoos9827]

We keep empty jugs with good handles from cranberry juice filled with water in the pantry sink to haul outside for fresh water for the animals/plants when it’s too cold to run a hose (November to March). It’s 4 jugs for the goat’s bucket, 6 jugs to fill flat bowls for flock and pig, then 2 five gallon buckets of warm water for the duck pool once to three times a day depending on winter weather. Warmer weather we have a pond, brook, and hose hooked up to the house for easy filling. 😊 My greenhouse doesn’t get it’s door open unless it’s over 35’F, but it’s my first winter having plants in it so everything’s an experiment

[@jesshalen]

Hey Jess! Love watching you, you have taught me and inspired me for years. I live in Alberta Canada. Last weekend we went to -45 and -55c with the wind chill. Soo so so cold. Yes, buried lines and they are drained in the fall after we water in our fruit trees for the last time of the year. We depend on large dumps of snow to melt in the spring and water everything. We don't haul water or grow anything outside here until april/may. My chickens are hardy to this weather and stay huddled in their coop with no heat. We won't get eggs but they survive. There are native wild chickens here that also live through these winters. My dogs live outside also. Farm animals have shelters but can use them or not. If our homes lose heat it can damage our waterlines and that is a big problem.. even further north in the territories the communities rely on water trucks and have far less infrastructure. Bless you Jess. Can't wait to follow you through this year's garden ❤

[@eurthavandijk2790]

God bless you.

[@trishiatripp8871]

My babies moved out a few years ago. Last week one of them told me that she is expecting her own baby. I was starting to really miss her. Then she tells me that I will be back in the baby stage all over again. I am so proud of her. My kids are The first Tripp's to graduate. And the first Tripp to wait until they have a have everything a baby needs before having a baby.

[@vj563]

I'm not a mother, but I could see myself getting very depressed over how quickly children grow. I have two nephews and can't believe that they're teenagers now. The last time I saw them they were babies. Watching kids grow shows you how fast time flies. Cherish every moment.

[@karapeterson8530]

Minnesota here- we just stay inside! Haven’t been on a walk in a week or two. We have people who do high tunnels but nothings growing this time of year. My houseplants get extra love this time of year. For myself, lots of blankets, tea, candles, slippers and stuff to get through it. Makes spring very exciting :)

[@candicecullengrowcooknourish]

I agree, no one really mentions the grief of that transition from being a parent of little kids to grown adults. My youngest is a senior and I am going through so many emotions about it. I think because he is the last it's all the more bittersweet.

[@karissastewart2611]

I have been awake since 3:00 a.m. with my 2 month old, and decided to watch your channel. I know this season of life will be a distant memory sooner than I will want. I remind myself to savor these moments with my littles.❤ YES! Land Before Time and FernGully, also Thumbelina! I love watching the way water pools on leaves, especially on elephant ears😊

[@MK-ti2oo]

Frost free spigots. Unhook all hoses, Sprayers and splitters and make sure they're fully drained then hook them back up to water my greenhouses then drain them fully again. The light weight fabric hoses that the forest service uses are great for this time of year.

[@debbiewhite3601]

I am 65 yrs old and live alone completely off-grid in the high desert of Northern NM, elevation ~7000'. With no running water or storage, other than a 50 gallon rain barrel (which is full but frozen solid atm), I have to haul every bit of water I use. Through the winter I have to store my water inside my tiny house and carry it by hand up to my chickens. I had to let my goats go as it was becoming too much to carry enough water up for them too 🥺 If only I could have the inconvenience of having to turn on a hydrant! Lol 😉 Much Love and Blessings All~Ways to you All 🙏🌀💗🌀🙏🏾

[@petrafarms]

NE Washington and we’re just at -27 with wind chill for about a week! We haul water from the house in buckets for goats, sheep, ducks and chickens. when the frost free water freezes that is. Heated buckets help a lot and when it snows or rains the animals prefer that to drink. Chickens are in the high tunnels. And Pyrenese love the coldest weather and snow! Cheers on winter! 🤍🕊️💚

[@perlgerl]

We are in New Hampshire, so not the coldest of your listeners. We've been in the lower single digits for a week and are expecting it to get a little bit warmer this week. We haul our water up the hill to the coop in milk jugs A big game changer for us this year was getting a 3 gallon but fairly shallow rubber container with handles from Tractor Supply, so when the water freezes in it we can flip it over and pop out the ice. Much better than banging metal dishes against a tree to try to get the ice out. We have about 20 chickens.

[@candyolson5082]

We live in NW Illinois & we 15 chickens that have heated waterer plates for our two 5 gallon galvanized waterers. We fill up 5 gallon buckets in the tub, put a lid on it and carry them out every 3-4 days.