I have seen a weasel (almost certain it was a weasel rather than a stoat) watching my chickens but if one headed towards it the weasel ran the other way. That was at least two years ago and I have never yet lost a chicken to one but my next door neighbour had 6 rescue hens and 4 bantams killed in on...

Hi Mushy Pea Totally agree with all Perchy's wise words. Just want to add my bit about mixing animals. Throughout my childhood we always had dogs and chickens together with no problem, although we did have plenty of space and endless areas and places to hide. The chickens free ranged over a large ar...

Afternoon at the Spa The ladies have been having a busy summer, what with chasing the dog and helping in the veg garden, so they decided on a spa day. After a healthy lunch of bugs and salad they spent some time in the grooming parlour https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5589/15089340662_ae7ccf5e33.jpg ...

No idea about the culprit but you have my sympathy. It's so frustrating when crops look promising and then get munched by some little beast. Good luck with the sleuthing.

Thanks for the advice, and particularly for the smelly link Richard. I shall experiment with a few potions and let you know if any work. I counted 25 strawberries yesterday evening, about 5 of which were starting to ripen. This morning there was just one small green one left. Grrrr! I'm going to try...

Anyone any ideas how I can dissuade my thriving mouse population from eating my strawberries? They look quite charming sitting on their haunches with a strawberry between their paws but I really would like a few for myself. Florence, the ace mouser chicken would probably make short work of them, but...

If you're using pallets its a good idea to check that they are safe. Some are impregnated with chemicals. Just look for the stamp on them.

We were advised not to burn laurel leaves/logs because of cyanide being given off. When I looked it up it seems that burning various biomass produces cyanide. The general opinion seemed to be that it was ok in a properly vented woodburner. I don't know about elder, but I know its hard to burn and gi...

Beautiful photographs. Your chicks are having an idyllic 'childhood'.

Expensive madness? I have no idea what you mean! My chickens were meant to be a sort of frugal thing and we did initially adapt a donated shed. Been downhill all the way since. I gave in and bought (expensive) woodchip for the run and have found it much better than all previous attempts. Sometimes L...

Whoa you chair looks like it comes from The Shire! LOvely photos did the girls eat any gooseberries? My dad bought the chair at a market somewhere near Leeds. He thought it was very 'me'. Not too sure what that means! The girls approve anyway. No, I don't think they did eat the gooseberries. Just p...

Sandy, you are a true chicken champion. I think you should wear a cloak!

What a narrow squeak! Evidently it takes more than a huge piece of stone to beat a super speed song bird. I bet you'll be counting your grey hairs and still worrying about what might have been for weeks to come. Blondie, on the other hand, will just be concentrating on bug hunting and singing.

Started with 5 ex batt Warrens - the fabulous Pearl (pic on right), Titch, Iris, Flora and Olga. Later they were joined by 6 ex colony cage Goldlines - Arabella, Coral, Jenny Jones, Torah, Nemo and Portia. So I was up to 11. Sad, sad, sadly the older ladies all left us one by one, as did Arabella an...

Lovely piccies of lovely girlies Thank you Sandy. You know, I never used to think of chickens as beautiful. Now I delight in the gorgeous pictures posted on here. A slow start but I've finally seen the light! Today I moved one of my chicken watching chairs. The younger girls were thrilled and spent...