It seems that farm life teaches us lessons every time we turn around.
Some days we are lucky enough to find someone else's experiences to help guide us,
and some days (more than not) we resort to trial and error.
Over the years we have made many improvements to our chicken yards...
in an attempt to solve problems as they arise.
The metal mesh roof on the chicken yard was the answer to preying hawks.
Then, in an attempt to keep out unwanted sparrows, swallows, and grackles,
we added a finer chicken wire to the roof.
However, realizing that a heavy snow would end up collapsing our entire yard,
we then removed said chicken wire as a preventative measure.
Which brought us right back to the same problem...
how to keep unwanted wild birds from roosting in our henhouses?
We thought and pondered and came up with this solution....
a garden owl to scare the birds away!
This is a great owl.
It attached to the upright pole with a couple of screws.
It has a clear fin on the back of its head to catch the gentle breezes,
thus making its head turn just like a real owl.
(Except for the fact that real owls sleep during the daytime,
and not usually out in plain sight.)
But then we were counting on the tiny birds not being able to reason through
this thought process.
As you can see.......
the birds are smarter than we think.
The owl did not affect their roosting habit at all.
In fact, I have witnessed those little birds chuckling at the owl
as they sit right under his nose.
Any suggestions????
There are some things around the farm that I have definitely learned not to leave to chance.
Horseback riding is one of those things.
Lessons are are a must.
And lessons with as gifted a teacher as the one that Becky and I have
are priceless.
Cindy is the most amazing teacher.
Unbelievably well versed in every discipline,
she can spot a problem a mile away and always has the best advice for correcting it.
Safety is he number one goal....
and for that I am thankful.
(and of course during my lesson, the camera was in my pocket!)
In spite of no pictorial proof, I have to tell you...
we had a great lesson.
And the difference in Moonbeam from beginning to end was astonishing.
I have committed to continuing our training....so I promise, I will produce pictures!!
I did have to show you....
no matter where we go or what we do around the farm,
these silly turkeys are always with us!
Perhaps I should teach them to work my camera!!
(I cannot wait for Spring...so that we can plant some grass around the arena.
For now, it is a bit of a swamp!)
I did have to show you....
no matter where we go or what we do around the farm,
these silly turkeys are always with us!
Perhaps I should teach them to work my camera!!
(I cannot wait for Spring...so that we can plant some grass around the arena.
For now, it is a bit of a swamp!)
Comments
Love your arena. We haven't ridden in more than a month because of soggy ground.
What about electrifying the fence?
Lisa in Maine
Maura :)
Sid is a very handsome fellow..
So glad that you and Moon Beam are together again.enjoy your lessons..
Love your turkeys.
Love the turkeys!