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 ?