CHICKENS
For some odd reason I've been afraid to add chickens to the mix. I guess I felt that they, among all the animals, were most vulnerable to predators and I hate losing animals. But once we created the "pig yard" which encompassed the chicken coop as well as the new pig house, I felt more comfortable with the idea of a few chickens. In addition to adding chicken wire along the fence adjoining the sheep pasture, we strung electric wire around the top and bottom of the entire enclosure.
I ordered 16 Faverolle hens (they are a French breed known for good egg production and calmness). Day old chicks arrived at the end of June. One chick died almost immediately and I sold 3 to a friend - that left me with 12. Once the chicks were fully feathered I let them into the yard. Within a week I lost 3 and suspected the barn cats. We added additional hot wire across the gate and in a couple of other open spots and wrapped tin around any tree close enough to the yard that the cats could jump in. Our 9 chickens have been happily living with the pigs ever since.
The pigs love chicken feed and the chickens love pig food - it is a match made in heaven! Also both love scraps of all kinds and the chickens have a fondness for scratching through pig manure. What could be better? I have begun to suspect that one of my hens is, in fact, a rooster. I'll need to keep my eye on that one! No eggs yet - may not see any until Spring. But they are a hoot to watch.
