For as much as the kid drives me bonkers, tonight she did good. Came home from dance a little late, rushed home so we could lock up the birds; it's getting dark earlier and its colder out...so critters are looking for warm places. My chicken coop is NOT that place. She went to lock up the babies and found a skunk inside the coop with them. She came running out to me panicked, but listened to my instructions (which NEVER happens, she's 12, knows everything lol) and we got the baby skunk out of the coop without incident (he actually seemed pretty chill). All the birds are fine, lost a few eggs, but that's better than the alternative. My hand hurts like a bugger from smashing the shovel against the side of the coop to scare it out, but the birds are all fine, the kid is scared but relieved, and I'm sure with all the growling and yelling from me, the neighbours are more assured that we're completely nuts. I'm thankful everyone is okay (even the stupid little skunk), that my daughter has a better appreciation for what I will do to protect our farm, and that perhaps, listening to your parents is a good thing, because sometimes we do actually know better. Tomorrow....time to reinforce the pen and lock up earlier!
The actual coop is predator proof (we don't have bears, so we're clear there at least), but the little bugger climbed under the gate and walked in the open coop. I'm sure the chickens practically invited him in. We checked them all out, everyone is fine, seemed more bothered by the flashlights than anything else. Of course, I'll have a look again in the morning, looked pretty good tonight, but I like being thorough. Tomorrow we'll be redesigning the gate and making sure everyone gets locked up a little earlier. If my husband happens to be sitting on the deck with the gun, it would be purely coincidence
Pet quality wheaten/blue wheaten ameraucanas, welsummers, barred rocks, light brown leghorns; Projects on the go: rhodebars, welbars
My NEW Life Motto for 2020 "DREAM BIG ~ SET GOALS ~ TAKE ACTION" 
