Protectionism

A miserable day which developed just as the weather forecast had predicted. A day to light the fire and stay indoors. But first I had to get something off my conscience - additional rain/sleet/snow protection for the geese.

Some may remember my spring shenanigans to provide them with a luxury home, complete with automatic opening and closing electrical door. As such it was fine but the geese woud never go in without being herded, a time consuming job that needed to be done at exactly the right time, causing us to having to be home. It was however very necessary so long as they were goslings and didn't have their full weather protecting flight gear. Then by summer, we simply left it open and also supplied a second simple smaller hut should there be any squabbling. Both structures were never used!

So today tried to make a temporary shelter which may help. Using large steel panels normally for cattle or horse pens, constructed two bays and using old wood framed glass doors, a roof. Managed to persuade them to try it out by placing some food under the roof. Eventually they gave it a  go but only long enough to eat the food.

Posting this several days later and after a night of snowfall,  I can report the effort was a waste of time. They still feel safer spending the whole outside or at night in the pond. Have to see what happens when the pond freezes over and it then snows heavily.

By the way the steel panels are original US imports from the 1970's, I guess a time when states like Pennsylvania were booming. PA one of the forming immigrant states is dominated by people of German background and is mainly catholic and has now become a blue democratic "bank" state. The US has the Brit William Penn to thank, who studied in France and after he discovered the Quaker movement and was subjected to religious persecution, was locked up behind bars in the Tower of London several times, he travelled to Germany to find others to join him in fleeing to the US. He wanted to call he state "New Wales" but the UK government refused this.

Oh boy does history reveal a lot and it seemingly goes back a few years. Shame we don't seem to learn, just like my geese.