With a tinge of sadness I started to dismantle the chicken house and run today. If I ever keep hens again I will have an area with a walk in cage so they have lots of space to move about and are kept safe from predators. Ideally I will have an eglu cube (need a mortgage for one of these) as I have found the wooden hen houses difficult to maintain and keep clean. My dream of having free range hens became a nightmare when in the middle of the day one was attacked by a fox a few years back She died shortly after.
For now, I am going to turn the area currently taken up by the chicken run, into a raised bed for growing vegetables. No use letting the ground go to waste! Not sure what to grow there just yet - but I will get the area prepared ready for planting. Watch this space!
I think it's wise of you to commit only to those things which bring you pleasure and will not diminish your energy or interest. If that means no chickens in your garden just now, then be at peace with this. Your decision doesn't mean you're giving up their keeping forever. We should be brutally honest with ourselves regarding what we are capable of as stewards of this earth. I applaud you. And good luck with the new raised beds. Should be pretty fertile ground where the chickens lived, yes???
ReplyDeleteYes I remember when you had hens, it is such a shame it did not work out. Still, you have plans and I look forward to seeing it bloom!
ReplyDeletexxx
Poor chicken, I do love foxes but I hate what they do!!
ReplyDeleteA raised bed will be great though for veg.
V xxx
A raised bed sounds a great idea - and the area shouldbe well fertilised from the chooks! X
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your garden this year, Simone. I always feel rather useless when I read about so many bloggers' gardens, as I've never had much luck with plants. I will have to draw some flowers instead!xx
ReplyDeleteExcellent thinking, turning something into a new opportunity.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your plans.
Lisa x
I remember you losing your lovely chicken to the fox, Simone. We grow most of our vegetables and fruit in raised beds. I hope you enjoy planning and planting yours:)
ReplyDeleteI'm sure what ever you grow there will grow really well :o)
ReplyDeleteI hope you will have highly productive raised beds. I'm sure you will make a good job of it.
ReplyDeleteI am hoping to make a veg patch this year at the cottage - I won't be able to start until Easter though. I look forward to seeing what you do with your new space I think it is a good idea.
ReplyDeleteA raised bed is a great idea, Simone. I love hearing about your positive garden plans and look forward to seeing what you do next.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a happy weekend.
Helen xox
Simone... re eglus and eglu cubes...
ReplyDeleteif you want to- email me via by blog with your email address and I'll write more fully, here really isnt the place but you might find my experiences helpful...
leanne x