Yesterday was cold and icy on top of the small amount of snow that sat around all day. However the cold weather did not deter the daffodils. Bless their beautiful nodding heads. Bowed down under the ice but still smiling like crazy. They are universally joyful.
I drained the yoghurt to make Labneh. Daisy and I are still struggling with her mastitis. This may take a while. So once a day I milk her good quarters separately for the house so we have clean milk and cream.
Yesterday I found two more dead partially eaten chickens so I repaired the holes in the chook house. Put a radio on for the night. Left Ton out to roam and put Boo in the barn to ensure the piglets are protected too. He is on a long chain right next to Tima’s pen with the big dog over by the Plonkers. I have no idea what this predator is yet but after reading yesterdays comments it seems we are thinking raccoon. I am looking for a trap.
I will find a trap tomorrow and bait it with marshmallows (thank you sundog) and see if we can relocate him. I am not sure how much of the commercial radio all night long the chickens can take! But I do know that wild animals do not like the sound of the human voice. Not until they are used to it anyway. So it might buy us a few days while it looks for a new way in.
I hope you all have a lovely day.
Love your friend on the farmy,
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
62 responses to “Battening down the Hatches”
Hello Celi .. not good news about your chooks. If it was here in NZ I would think rat for sure. Hope you find out what critter is causing it.
do you know anyone with a game camera that you could borrow?
they are not that expensive to buy if nessary.
the camera is motion activated, and will tell the time each photo is snapped, that way you can plan your attack accordingly, usually critters feed about same time each nite.
unfortunately, when my neighbor finds mine, there is pic of him mooning cam, or making rude gestures.its .all in fun,as he is still trying to get even for my ballet performance by his deer blind. on his cam,250# old fat bald me, in artistic poses is quite memorable
Oh how I wish we could get a copy of that.. you two must be hilarious together, i am on the trail of such a camera, and should have it borrowed in the next few days.. definitely a good idea.. c
Check your state laws. In Tennessee, for example, it is illegal to relocate a rabies vector like a raccoon, possum (though I don’t know of ANY documented rabid possums, go figure), and skunks. Here they have to be humanely euthanized.
I will thank you. mnever thought of that. c
What is so great about mystery stories? They are the number one kinds of books and movies people love, but they’re not terribly entertaining when the mystery happens to YOU!
exactly!!.. c
Can you borrow someone’s game camera or some type of camera where you could monitor the night activity? I’m at a loss on this one… there are too many possible culprits!
Good idea.. i shall look for one.. c
The Daffodil is a day brightener. Sorry to hear the varmint is still visiting.