Holes and Bare Spots

[3KillerBs]

I had to rake pine straw out of a place where we're going to widen the driveway so I took the opportunity to fill in some holes the chickens had dug and cover some of the bare areas they'd trampled.

Most of one cart went into the coop to mix with the shavings. Three more carts didn't quite do the job, but I'm tired and will get a couple more later this week on my day off.

After the initial terror of seeing pinestraw falling from the sky as I tossed it over the fence, the girls are, of course, ecstatic to have new material to dig in.

 

[RainbowHen]

Woo! Party time!

 

[RainbowHen]

Also, your coop is adorable. I love it

 

[3KillerBs]

Also, your coop is adorable. I love it

Thank you.

You can see more about my coop here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/renovating-the-little-monitor-roof-coop.1382615/

 

[aart]

fill in some holes the chickens had dug

They'll dig them back out within days.
I've given up trying to fill holes, unless in critical spot then I use pavers.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/excavation-by-birds-a-word-of-warning.1086535/

 

[3KillerBs]

They'll dig them back out within days.
I've given up trying to fill holes, unless in critical spot then I use pavers.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/excavation-by-birds-a-word-of-warning.1086535/

Yes. They're enjoying the opportunity to re-excavate.

I've noticed that all the *serious* digging is in places where there are mole tunnels but have not noticed any chickens running about with a mole/vole in it's beak trying to evade the flockmates long enough to eat it.

I don't intend to stop them from digging with the pine straw. I'm actually using their digging to improve the ground by incorporating organic material into the sand.

 

[aart]

I've noticed that all the *serious* digging is in places where there are mole tunnels but have not noticed any chickens running about with a mole/vole in it's beak trying to evade the flockmates long enough to eat it.

Have noticed the same..and have found dead moles/voles.
Some voles(?) have a toxicity aspect, why they don't eat them.... I think.
But they definitely take advantage of the softer soil and may detect movement there.

 

[3KillerBs]

Have noticed the same..and have found dead moles/voles.
Some voles(?) have a toxicity aspect, why they don't eat them.... I think.
But they definitely take advantage of the softer soil and may detect movement there.

I would be absolutely delighted if the chickens de-moled the yard.

 

[3KillerBs]

Between Sunday and today I've moved 5.5 to 6 Gorilla carts of pine straw and other organic debris into the chicken pen.

Free bedding is the best bedding -- though my fitness app does not recognize the labor of forking pine straw as contributing to "heart minutes" since I'm almost standing in one place digging and lifting.

 

[RainbowHen]

Between Sunday and today I've moved 5.5 to 6 Gorilla carts of pine straw and other organic debris into the chicken pen.

Free bedding is the best bedding -- though my fitness app does not recognize the labor of forking pine straw as contributing to "heart minutes" since I'm almost standing in one place digging and lifting.

Heck yea! I've been adding leaves to my coop and run for some fluffy bedding for winter. Generally have pine pellets in the coop and sand in the run. The chickens are ecstatic