We have been having some crazy weather here at our homestead, but nothing like the storms in the midwest! Last week we had snow as you can see from the pictures below, but today... must have reached 72 degrees with sunny skies. It actually felt like spring! Must'n get too excited though. We could be back to snow before you can say Jack Frost!
Captain Buff took the girls out for a little snow stroll...
However, this is what you don't want to see in the snow around your chicken coop... bobcat tracks! The snow provided an opportunity for me to look around the coop and garden to see what animals had been visiting. I believe I found a few small critters, rabbits and such, but it's the raccoons, bobcats, and all that are not welcome!
Not a chance.
He was back on Sunday and terrorized a Buff Orpington a bit before the dogs could get to the area barking. He left without a chicken dinner, but the poor bird lost quite a few feathers and was in a bit of shock. She acts like she'll make it though. My husband waited an hour near dusk to see if he could get him, but the bobcat must be wise to our ways as he didn't come back for now.
I'm sure he will try again, so I've got to solve this issue once and for all. Looks like I'll be buying some electric fencing this week. Sighhhh... I'd be grateful for a simpler solution should anyone have something to offer.
Some good news... Kendra's blog is officially back on line! Woo hoo!!! I'm so happy for her. After being hacked, she nearly wasn't able to recover all her past posts, but a new host and some tech help from an expert and she's back in business. Thanks to everyone who followed her on facebook in the meantime. I'm sure she'd love to have you come visit.
Join The Barn Hop!
Kendra @ New Life on a Homestead
Kelly @ The Morris Tribe
1. Write a blog post about what's going on at your homestead or a post on something you're learning or an item of interest that will benefit the homesteading community. Be sure to add the red barn button and link back here so others can join in the fun.
2. Come back here and enter your information in the Linky. Please be sure to link to your actual post (click your title and then copy the URL above) and not your home page so those participating later in the week can find your post easily.
3. If you don't have a blog, leave a comment and tell us what's going on at your homestead!
Please Note: As hostesses of the Homestead Barn Hop, please understand that we reserve the right to remove any links that are not family friendly. While this may be subjective, we will err on the side of caution in order to keep our blogs appropriate for all readers. Thank you for your understanding!
Amy, thanks so much for this linkup each week. I don't get to participate every week, but I enjoy reading other's posts. Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteLove the shots of your Golden Retrievers! They are so pretty.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your chicken coop raider--hope you figure something out. We had a lot of trouble last year and never completely solved it. I hate that our coop is on our fence line by the wood line, but the other choice is smack in the middle of our yard right now. Hopefully the electric will work!
ReplyDeleteHi Amy....
ReplyDeleteStarted my covering process in my garden! How is yours going? I submit a picture to the contest in FB with BTE page..first one entering so far.! You should enter, maybe this way more people can learn this Eden way and get inspired since you have so many followers. Blessings in this new week!
Enid
Enid, good for you!! That's great that you have your garden started with wood chips. I'm STILL on 2 waiting lists to get some here. I've started chipping oak leaves in my chipper, but I need to head to the green waste area and get some stuff there to chip. I've been dealing with goat stuff and haven't had a chance to do so. Must make it a priority SOON!
DeleteLove these shots! they have a great feel to them. We have spotted bobcat around our farm too. Thanks for hosting the hop! :)
ReplyDeleteHave a great week!
Allison
Hi Amy,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the news about Kendra's blog being back on-line!!1 That's great news :) : Love and hugs from the ocean shores of California, Heather :)
Love the barn hop! Thanks for hosting. There were so many interesting things to read about!
ReplyDelete-farmlife chick
thechickncoop.blogspot.com
Wow. 256 entries and still climbing! Good job girls! The best "hop" in the blogosphere!
ReplyDeleteOne thing that works for us is traps. We have trapped several possums and several raccoons. One thing you must do is put a black garbage bag on the end of the trap so the critter has to go in the door to get the bait(or if you can figure out how to put a more permanent cover over the end). If I don't put a black garbage bag on the trap, the critters get the bait through the side! Hope you get that bobcat before it gets your chickens!
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