Monday, June 3, 2013

Flock Fencing to Save the Potatoes


The flock has been enjoying scratching up the garden since it was rototilled.

They have unearthed lots of worms and tasty bugs.


I love seeing them hard at work, but I need to start planting.  We had 3 frosts 2 weeks ago and a snow storm 8 days ago, so I feel like the cold front has passed and its time to get seeds and seedlings into the ground.  But I need to put up some fencing to separate the hens from the seeds.
So far they have not bothered the rhubarb, garlic or scallions, but I know darn well that they will scratch up my lettuce seeds and everything else if given a chance.  Today is fencing day.


The two pullets have stayed pullets (so far) and are now out of the chicken tractor and learning how to be real chickens.  Ester is on the left. I named her after a beloved volunteer at our local church thrift store who died last month. Mystery is on the right and I have no idea what breed of bird she is. She was suppose to be a Blue Laced Red Wyandotte, just like Ester.
Apparently she isn't.
Got any ideas of what she could be ?


They are a real odd couple.  Usually they hang around with the ducks. They seem to be a bit bonded to the boys.

They learned how to be still and sit in the sun today.


Ester's coloring is so pretty.


Today I got my poultry netting out and asked a dear friend to help me put it up.

She thought it would take an hour or more to fence in the garden.  Ha!

Mev came dressed to work!

When I rolled the fencing out of the box she was shocked.  She thought we would be using post hole diggers, cedar poles and a roll of wire.

No way, I said.   I know a better method and we won't get injured while putting it up either!

Mev got very excited that we would not get bloodied or bruised before lunch.


One roll of netting was 100 feet long with posts every 6 feet.


This was the area I wanted to fence. I had a feeling it would not go all around my squash patch, so we modified the plan a little.


In less than 8 minutes we had the fence up, the garden protected and we even made a little pen for the hormonal ducks!


I then went and dug a long trench to plant my 4 kinds of potatoes.


I laid out all the spuds and turned around to see the hens pecking at and flinging the seed potatoes out of the trench.

I chased them away (why did I put up the fence?) and hurried up and buried the row before they all came back.


I piled the soil and compost high.

I then left the garden and closed the fence gate so the flock would not come dig all my future Irish meals up.



Tomorrow I will continue with my cold crops...just incase we get another frost.

How is your garden doing ?

19 comments:

  1. Pretty birds!! They would so love to dig up those potatoes!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. that was some quick fencing! for having had almost no rain this spring, my garden is growing very well. i have lots of green tomatoes, set peppers, ripe cherry tomatoes, green beans, rhubarb, lettuce, herbs and tomatillas. no okra yet. so far so good!

    ReplyDelete
  3. You have the neatest blog!! I will be back often to see what is going on up there in on your place!

    ReplyDelete
  4. When I ordered BLR Wyandottes last year from McMurray, I expected them to look like the dark one:

    http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/blue_laced_red_wyandotte.html

    I was very disappointed to have them look like the light colored one. I've avoided light colors except Buff as they are predator attractants.

    One of the Wyandottes got out of the pen this spring, and a hawk promptly got her. This hasn't happened to the darker colored birds, no matter how long they are out.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I wish I had a garden but one day I hope to have one! And a yard full of chickens. These photos look like my ideal life.

    Feel free to link up your WW at http://savingwithsaveone.blogspot.com/2013/06/wordless-wednesday-chloes-baby-wlinky.html

    ReplyDelete
  6. Nice post and photos glad you got the potatoes planted I hope the ducks didn't drive you quackers :-)

    Have a fantabulosa week ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  7. I use that fencing to keep my birds in but I haven't electrified it. I plan on using the one designed for goats to let my Nigerian wethers clean up the understory of my woods.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I like how you explain step by step. Very interesting.

    we would love to have you come share/link via our WWHop: http://www.craftyspices.com/hops/wwhop
    Happy Wordless Wednesday!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi Janis, I came to visit your little neck of the woods, I love seeing the animals you have wandering, those chickens are like the quail I have that come to visit, they ate all my lettuce starts, having to start over, now have netting around my garden box to keep them out. They just cant help it, their nature! Thanks for stopping by Oh My Heartsie this week, hope to see your again!!
    Enjoy your day!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. That looks like a lot of hard work, bet you look forward to the benefits. for what it's worth

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love that calf. I found you on Wordless Wednesday. New follower on GF. Lenore Butler

    ReplyDelete
  12. I dont have a garden and want to plant potatoes, so I have been researching and will try to grow them in bags. Thanks for stopping by Oh My Heartsie today to link up each week, I appreciate it.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Curious chickens! I wish I could talk my husband into getting some but he is just not very interested. Sigh. I loved having chickens when I was younger, except for the mean rooster who tried to attack you.

    Thanks so much for sharing on our Healthy Tuesdays Blog Hop. Hope you will join us again next week.
    Kerry from Country Living On A Hill

    ReplyDelete
  14. You've got a gorgeous property! Wish I was there.

    Thanks for posting to Green Living Thursdays! at www.dudesustainable.com.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Love the patterns on the chickens! Great colors!

    ReplyDelete
  16. You are one busy lady! Love your garden and those silly girls bothering you looking for snacks! What a delightful property you have there. Lots of hard work but a nice pay off with all the garden treats and beautiful friends you share this with. Thank you for taking me on your tour.

    ReplyDelete
  17. the chicken must have been watching you, to arrive back in the garden so fast. What did you use for digging trenches? {:-Deb

    ReplyDelete
  18. Your chickens are so pretty and your garden is looking great! Ours is SLOWLY growing...I hope we get some veggies soon!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Gardening is so much fun... They are definitely a lot of work but the finished product is worth it!

    Fabulous post for the letter "F"...

    Thanks for linking.

    A+

    ReplyDelete