Chickie Taj Mahal

No longer do we worry about escapee hens OR uninvited deer and foxes. Mr. Fox still has us on his list but he just runs by as he checks out the neighborhood. Word has it he asked Santa for wire cutters. Tom and Camille built this incredible fortress. The corner posts are set deep in the ground. Two opposing walls were made as kennel walls for very tall dogs. The other 2 walls are made of cattle corral wall wire covered with chicken wire. The roof is yet to be complete but will be a continuation of the cattle wire. The base of all walls have an apron of chicken wire, one foot up the wall and one foot out pinned to the ground. This will thwart any predator digging.

The birds and squirrels think it was all built for their perching pleasure. It has already served one squirrel escaping from the cat. The pen was closer than the tree! The hens love it. They can run around, even fly (a bit), in safety. I love the people door. It is very secure, yet easy to get in and out.

Tune in again for how to keep chickens warm, happy and laying in freezing weather.

Big Ears in the Backyard

This lovely deer is one of three who frequent the yard. The mom brought her two fawns through earlier this year when they still had white spots like Bambi. Now in just a few months they are gray/brown like the mom. They still have the curiosity of youngsters, consequently, this young one turned back to look at me as they were leisurely exiting the backyard. As charming as they look, they still do damage to plants. They have munched on the new apricot tree branches and the new cherry tree branches. Who knows how much they will enjoy the fruit in the spring! I camp out during the day to watch over the chickens, from Mr. Fox. I might as well be shooing the deer away from the fruit trees too.