Alas, I find myself posting an entry that is none too happy. We had a hard week here at Bee Haven Acres.
I am sorry to say that our final Muscovy duck, Dorky,has gone missing....and enough time has passed now that I can say with confidence that he met his demise. I am not sure about the details, but I am wondering if it might not have been the work of a snapping turtle that has been spotted in our pond.
But, even sadder than losing one over-sexed duck is last evening's happenings. It seems that some land predator got into Helen and The Maudes' chicken pen last night. This particular predator somehow fit through the wire fence and ate them all....leaving behind their eggs. The problem with their pen, and what is different than our other chicken pen, is that this pen was built for turkeys and has larger openings in the wire mesh. We will be reinforcing this pen with smaller gauge wire with haste!
But, even sadder than losing one over-sexed duck is last evening's happenings. It seems that some land predator got into Helen and The Maudes' chicken pen last night. This particular predator somehow fit through the wire fence and ate them all....leaving behind their eggs. The problem with their pen, and what is different than our other chicken pen, is that this pen was built for turkeys and has larger openings in the wire mesh. We will be reinforcing this pen with smaller gauge wire with haste!Our guinea troupe is down to 6 survivors. I have ordered another brood of 30 mixed guineas. And on a happier note, our 26 new fancy chickens are growing like weeds.
Such is farm life....the losses come with life on the edge of the woods. Some weeks are just a bit harder than others. This week will be better for sure!
Comments
I'm so sad....Helen was my special hen too. :0( And you are so right...nature's food chain can be so harsh at times especially when it involves our domesticated friends.
Hope this week is better for the critters.
Hugs, Steph
Kelly