Luvmypets Journal: A New Season

[Bruce]

But again if the fox problem isn't resolved they won't last long. If anyone has any suggestion on how to make their run more secure please don't hesitate to add them.

No sense getting more items for the fox's menu if you haven't got the run secure! I would think 2x4 "no climb" woven fence would a be a good choice for the walls, strong enough the larger predators can't break through it, small enough most smaller predators won't fit and not as expensive as 1/2" hardware cloth. Foxes and coons can climb so if they are going over the fence, you would need fencing over the top as well unless you have hot wire.

Chicks can go through that and coons can reach through so you would want a foot or two of 1/2" hardware cloth along the bottom. And you need to skirt out about 18" so the digging predators can't get under the fence, again woven fence should be adequate here.

Now, if you have a problem with small weasels, they can probably get through the woven wire so 1/2" hardware cloth would be necessary. But I THINK they are night hunters so as long as your coop is weasel proof the run doesn't have to be.

Good luck!!

Oh man why do the mangalitsas have to grow so slowly...They are SO GOOD

Good things come to those who wait

 

[luvmypets]

Thanks for the advice @Bruce . So far the fox has been coming midday and she digs in and has a free for all. Our birds are in the secure barn at night, its just between 4-6 when the fox hunts. We found her den and we have a friend who hunts over scouting and watching for her. The fox is very smart however so getting her is going to be tough.I will talk to my dad about the woven wire and such!

 

[Bruce]

The fox will keep coming back until the cupboard is bare. If you have any spare field fencing around I would lay it down outside the run (and tie it up the side a bit) ASAP, don't even bother burying it until you have time for a permanent solution.

 

[luvmypets]

After I fed Lucy I went outside to give the pigs more bedding. And it turns out priss nurses standing up now, makes sense as her babies are getting big! Terrible quality but I wanted to post it anyways

 

[Baymule]

Those piggies know where the milk bar is!

 

[luvmypets]

Seems it has been some time since I last posted. The foxes have been MIA for a good three weeks and we haven't seen a trace of them. I personally don't think they are dead, they most likely have been caring for their kits. That being said we also put out some poison so they may have picked that up too. Its really hard to say as it seems they are just gone without any indication of where they went. We are down to a rooster, a hen, and three ducks. However I have 28 leghorn peeps in the brooder. They will be staying on lockdown in the barn until the chicken run is fully secure. I have a couple different plans in order to fox proof our run.

In happier news my annual Barnyard Days went wonderfully. I got to educate local kids about Ag and spend the whole day with my piggies at school. What is better than that! We had a few hiccups like Ras jumping out of the trailer and making a line to the woods. Thankfully my dad caught him. The alpacas were very nervous the first day and were humming quite a bit but once they got to relax in the ag lab overnight they were calm. The piglets were quite shy, all except Lucy. She was an angel and was so tolerant of letting the kids pet her. By the end of the event the piggies were SO done with everyone. Especially Lucy, oh my goodness she was so so cranky. Also Opal our retained gilt started the event terrified of people and by the end she was rolling over for belly rubs. I was exhausted by the end of the whole thing but it was awesome.

ETA: I forgot to mention that we had a scare with Emmy. Should got heat stress and we were afraid we were going to lose her. Thankfully it cooled off that night and she has since made a full recovery

Shadow inspecting the new recruits

Here is the heifer calf from my freshman year, now she has a heifer of her own

Here was everyone tucked in the ag lab for the night

Oh and my little Lucy laying in my lap

 

[Wehner Homestead]

Glad everything turned out okay and you enjoyed yourself!! Brings back some great memories.

 

[Bruce]

I bet people loved those striped piggies. They are very unusual.
Sounds like you are doing great service to your community.

 

[luvmypets]

I bet people loved those striped piggies. They are very unusual.
Sounds like you are doing great service to your community.

I kept getting asked "Why aren't they pink" lol. I love barnyard days, our whole FFA chapter plans it.

 

[Baymule]

What a great experience. I was in FFA in high school. My best friend and I were the first girls in Ag in our school. Formerly, only boys were allowed.

I know you had a lot of fun and maybe you sparked an interest in some of the other kids.