I’m utterly baffled by these new chickens.

You’ll note, there to the left of those two girls, is what looks rather like a hole.

Here…let me highlight it.

These four have apparently spent days digging around back there, and have built a system of tunnels beneath this tall grass.

Which, at first blush, seems like it would be fine. I mean, they’re certainly safer from aerial predators hidden in there.

However it does make them an easy and surreptitious snack for any foxes or fisher cats that might be prowling around. Not to mention I really don’t want them getting too comfortable outside of the coop. Before you know it they’ll be moving out and into their burrow…

So not only would they be exposed to nighttime predators like minks and raccoons, I’d also have to sift through the tall grass when/if they decide to actually start laying eggs.

Which I’d rather not do.

Still, outside of weed whacking the whole thing, I’m not entirely sure how to dissuade them from clambering around in there.

And if I am going to mow it all down, then I’d better get moving on that. Because once the winter freeze hits there’s a near-zero chance of clearing out all that brush.

Okay I think this has gotten weird enough for one week.

See you Monday.

j.s.