The raised beds are made from metal siding and are
2 feet tall. The closest raised bed, the problem area, is 16x4.
They have wire in the bottom, then about 8-10 inches of rocks, then
decaying sticks and wood, then waste hay and compost on the top. All
have the wire and rocks, some only have waste hay with no wood and some are not top dressed with composted soil (yet).
you suggest, I will most like make the moat 4 feet wide at the ground
and lean the fence in towards the 8 ft fence.
out to free range several times a week as I can. We have a renting
neighbor's unleashed dog to contend with. Last year, that dog killed 4
of my geese, 8 of my ducks, and various assorted chickens, so I have to
now limit my birds freedom to keep them alive.
My ideal flock size is about 15-20
hens. That provides enough eggs for us and enough to sell to pay for
any feed or replacement layers if need be.
here, I have never had a hen go broody and stay broody long enough to
raise her own chicks until this year.
I did not count on that, but it
is happening, so that adds to the flock population, too. (BTW, if I have
observed correctly, those eggs should hatch tomorrow or the next day)
As for garden expansion, yes, I could actually expand it.
But, back to the moat thing....one problem I have had in the past with
the perimeter fence is having honeysuckle and various vines grow up onto
the fence, especially on the south side (long 100 foot section), and I
think the chickens will stay busy clearing that. Thankfully,
honeysuckle is not kudzu, but there are enough vines to keep the girls
busier than you might think.
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