One way to give your chooks cover is to give them a hideout they can run to and duck for cover that only their size has access to, and one good Protective Rooster will always be on the lookout for danger and alerts the hens to hide. Even when you are at home Natural Predators can take a chance at collecting a free meal. Here in Australia the occasional loss of a bird to a Wedge Tailed Eagle is fair game, they are doing what they are programmed to do on their turf. We don’t mind when they help clean up the introduced rabbits that don’t belong here! But when it comes to Foxes that we’re also introduced and don’t belong here, when they break in to the pen and massacre the whole flock just for the hell of it, is heartbreaking and calls for the shotgun to come out 💥
I totally agree. It's amazing the chicken instinct when a flyer attacks. We have really tall grass this time of year, and the whole flock can disappear from view in seconds, only to emerge slowly over the next 10-15 minutes. Chicks, in particular, are impossible to find.
We have LOTS of stuff for the girls to hide under and two roosters who are very alert gentlemen, but the big open fields...well, those are dangerous, especially from coyotes. I tend to give snacks throughout the day, keeping the girls a bit closer to home, but I also want them roaming so a lot of the time, I'm just happy to have property chores to do so I have an excuse to be out and about as a predator deterrent.
We mostly deal with raccoons and the newly invasive coyotes (no foxes, thank goodness), but there are also Mink on the island (there used to be a Mink fur farm long, long ago) and when they get into a coop, they murder everything in sight, but eat hardly nothing. That's a terrible experience I've avoided thus far...
I totally get that! I'm currently trying to hold onto the family property while I go through a divorce, because there's a good chance that my boys will actively want to inherit it and actually live here in the future. But, if they weren't interested then within a few years I would probably downsize also!.It takes a lot of energy to take care of animals and plants and property.
I do love my animals and I highly value giving them the best possible lifestyle. I've often said I'd love to come back (reincarnate in the past) as any number of my own animals, LOL!
Yes, the land is the result of 20 years of effort, learning, hard work and tender creative generative care...it is my hope that I will be able to keep it (I'm going through a divorce) and pass it on to our kids who grew up here.
When my Mom was diagnosed with terminal cancer and came home to die, I asked for Grace.
When I made the decision to end my marriage, I asked for Grace.
That's all I ever really ask for...
And the goal is to be more than happy -- I'm aiming for what makes me healthy, because the constant stress of all-day mixed forms of abuse takes a toll...
And the kids said, "We care about you more than the house. Please take care of you - we'll be fine."
That changed everything because I was staying for their future inheritance -- no other reason.
Life is an adventure! And sometimes it's the right choice to say, "I'm done."
It's been a learning experience, for sure, and while I absolutely will be better off divorced - it will be tragic if I have to lose everything in the process. Worth it to be free - but tragic nonetheless.
For now, treasuring every moment and asking for Grace as I face whatever comes my way...
You sound really strong and determined. You must have great inner resources. I can’t imagine how difficult a divorce must be. I’ve read all your posts about your lovely farm and share your fears about losing it. But you have to do what makes you happy!
I have a nesting pair of red shouldered hawks right next to my house and my chickens free range in the same area. So I know your concerns quite well and I try to spend as much time out here as I can and when the hawks are circling I get them under the bushes. It is an ecosystem but I only have six hens and I've had them for many years.
Yes, my whole family is well trained. When our chickens let out an alarm call, I'm not even sure we stop to think, "Is that an alarm call?" We just know and we all react! Humans fly out of every door (Dobby the Boston Terrier zooms out as well) and we're all shouting, yelling, and looking around and upward for the threat.
I also have a few high pitched, travel well, calls that I make throughout the day, just to remind the local coyote pack that our property is well attended by defenders of the flock AND defenders of our two farm cats who keep the property rodent free...
One way to give your chooks cover is to give them a hideout they can run to and duck for cover that only their size has access to, and one good Protective Rooster will always be on the lookout for danger and alerts the hens to hide. Even when you are at home Natural Predators can take a chance at collecting a free meal. Here in Australia the occasional loss of a bird to a Wedge Tailed Eagle is fair game, they are doing what they are programmed to do on their turf. We don’t mind when they help clean up the introduced rabbits that don’t belong here! But when it comes to Foxes that we’re also introduced and don’t belong here, when they break in to the pen and massacre the whole flock just for the hell of it, is heartbreaking and calls for the shotgun to come out 💥
I totally agree. It's amazing the chicken instinct when a flyer attacks. We have really tall grass this time of year, and the whole flock can disappear from view in seconds, only to emerge slowly over the next 10-15 minutes. Chicks, in particular, are impossible to find.
We have LOTS of stuff for the girls to hide under and two roosters who are very alert gentlemen, but the big open fields...well, those are dangerous, especially from coyotes. I tend to give snacks throughout the day, keeping the girls a bit closer to home, but I also want them roaming so a lot of the time, I'm just happy to have property chores to do so I have an excuse to be out and about as a predator deterrent.
We mostly deal with raccoons and the newly invasive coyotes (no foxes, thank goodness), but there are also Mink on the island (there used to be a Mink fur farm long, long ago) and when they get into a coop, they murder everything in sight, but eat hardly nothing. That's a terrible experience I've avoided thus far...
Paul! I'm curious - do you also garden? I was having fun with my son last night planting strawberry starts with flashlights! 🤣
Here's how the afternoon began..
Here’s an example of “returning to” community based lifestyles that are in touch with nature and bring health and peace to each day…
https://open.substack.com/pub/marchtwisdale/p/homemaking-is-the-art-of-patient?r=15g459&utm_medium=ios
Hi👋 I‘ve downsized, living in a small cabin, in caravan park. Only have room for my herb garden now.
Cheers
I totally get that! I'm currently trying to hold onto the family property while I go through a divorce, because there's a good chance that my boys will actively want to inherit it and actually live here in the future. But, if they weren't interested then within a few years I would probably downsize also!.It takes a lot of energy to take care of animals and plants and property.
It does indeed. All the best 👍
Wish I were one of your chickens. What a lovely home they have.
I do love my animals and I highly value giving them the best possible lifestyle. I've often said I'd love to come back (reincarnate in the past) as any number of my own animals, LOL!
Yes, the land is the result of 20 years of effort, learning, hard work and tender creative generative care...it is my hope that I will be able to keep it (I'm going through a divorce) and pass it on to our kids who grew up here.
No better legacy. Love of the land yields immeasurable returns. I do hope you achieve your goal. 🌲🌲🌲
Thank you.
When my Dad died suddenly, I asked for Grace.
When my Mom was diagnosed with terminal cancer and came home to die, I asked for Grace.
When I made the decision to end my marriage, I asked for Grace.
That's all I ever really ask for...
And the goal is to be more than happy -- I'm aiming for what makes me healthy, because the constant stress of all-day mixed forms of abuse takes a toll...
And the kids said, "We care about you more than the house. Please take care of you - we'll be fine."
That changed everything because I was staying for their future inheritance -- no other reason.
Life is an adventure! And sometimes it's the right choice to say, "I'm done."
It's been a learning experience, for sure, and while I absolutely will be better off divorced - it will be tragic if I have to lose everything in the process. Worth it to be free - but tragic nonetheless.
For now, treasuring every moment and asking for Grace as I face whatever comes my way...
You sound really strong and determined. You must have great inner resources. I can’t imagine how difficult a divorce must be. I’ve read all your posts about your lovely farm and share your fears about losing it. But you have to do what makes you happy!
Deep faith such as yours makes everything possible. As does the support of children who care about you. Love shows you the way through the storms.
We have red hawks coming around I had to put out a fake owl to shooo them away!
I have Red Tailed Hawks, some sort of smaller raptor, Bald Eagles and Osprey in the region...does the fake owl work well?
I have a nesting pair of red shouldered hawks right next to my house and my chickens free range in the same area. So I know your concerns quite well and I try to spend as much time out here as I can and when the hawks are circling I get them under the bushes. It is an ecosystem but I only have six hens and I've had them for many years.
They are dear friends.
If you know, you know! LOL
Yes, my whole family is well trained. When our chickens let out an alarm call, I'm not even sure we stop to think, "Is that an alarm call?" We just know and we all react! Humans fly out of every door (Dobby the Boston Terrier zooms out as well) and we're all shouting, yelling, and looking around and upward for the threat.
I also have a few high pitched, travel well, calls that I make throughout the day, just to remind the local coyote pack that our property is well attended by defenders of the flock AND defenders of our two farm cats who keep the property rodent free...
It's an ecosystem AND a lifestyle!
If you liked this .... check out this one:
https://open.substack.com/pub/marchtwisdale/p/homemaking-tips-to-help-you-bloom?r=15g459&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
It is a small world...! But, what do you mean exactly?