Things are never quiet for long. Sue has finished several projects (that we’ve already discussed) and is lining up several more. Most recently, because we’re contemplating graduating the Delawares to the Biggies side, she built an “escape hatch” for them.  A place they can get into, if they need to escape from the Biggies and still get food and water. There’s a door on the left side that we can use to put the water and food in there for them. The teens can get in, but not the Biggies – well Maeve might be able to fit, but – in general – she doesn’t really bother the littles. Sue made it really sturdy because we’ll be using it off and on for a while yet… and she connected it to the footer wall so it won’t simply blow away the next big wind storm (tomorrow and Sunday and Monday). I think it’ll work really well. When we do move the Delawares, we’re not sure how Roman is going to like it. He’s sort of found his tribe with the chickens AND the ducks. They’ve become a big family, they still squabble a bit, but – hey – what family doesn’t. At least there hasn’t been any blood lately.  The second photo here is last night, just before they were all ready to bed down. Roman sometimes protects the chickens when the ducks want to run after them, and sometimes he runs after them himself, when they get too much into his personal space. The ducks seem to think of him as an annoying younger brother. We may end up moving the family as one; Delawares, Ducks, and Roman.  Continue reading →