Welcome to this weeks addition of learn from my mistakes.

As I’ve mentioned, probably a million times, I’m eagerly awaiting the completion of my bunny barn. As construction began in earnest, I had to disassemble the existing chicken run, and erect more temporary housing.

This was mistake number one.

Chickens, when removed from their enclosed run (yes, even the top was wired, to protect from predators), will take every opportunity to run amuck. And trust me, they certainly did.

Yes, the garden suffered, but I was willing to overlook it, because I was sure that I’d be able to move them out of the temporary, easily escapable run any day.

That didn’t happen.

And as a result, half the flock paid with their lives, when a fox found where they were roosting, and took them away.

I am gutted. This was one hundred percent preventable. All my fault.

Please, learn from me.

The remaining ladies; Clio, Pickles, Mika and Grace Kelly, have been confined to a small, but very secure run. And at night, they are locked inside the coop.

From here and out, I will have to be vigilant- the fox knows where to find them. This will be an issue forever.