newbie here with three chicks and a duckling. two Comets, a Delaware and a runner duck. I am petrified of predators and am researching everything. :( I am so sorry for all of your losses. I cannot stand the thought and before they go out I am going to focus on the most secure barriers I can come up with. We live on 32 acres in Western NY and have it all out here. we have 5 dogs, horses, cats and a 5 year old son. I am a SAHM so will be around a lot. We have approximately 1/4 of an acre with a falling down 6 ft. stockade fence around it that we are going to gradually replace. There is a large area within that fence next to the house where we will put the coop ( the rambler from www.chickensaloon.com and then secure a pen area. Part will be the house, two sides the re-enforced fence and a new part will have to be put up to make the rectangle. We want to put the black plastic shrubbery barrier down ( 6") and then pour cement around the fence. I will get the night time predator lights to move around and do whatever else I can do. If anyone is still reading this thread I am open to suggestions. we also will put bird netting along the top of the run. The problem is that there are no trees in the back. I need to get some put in and also find some things for them to hide under for when they spend time free ranging. In the winter I plan on letting them have a stall with a dutch door and making an enclosure for them but that is a ways away.

We live in an area with similar wild animals and it's only the squirrels and a few birds that ever bother with the compost. We have a 4 sided pallet bin. Twice in 12 years it's been thrown apart by a bear. The palllets were not damaged, DH just tied them together again. It was interesting to see the big bear paw print in the finished compost! I've never seen a crow or raven or any other animal near it. I've recently put a pile of fine wood shavings beside the bin to scatter over each layer but that's because I hope to get faster decomposition. It will I expect also change the odor of the bin so you might think about using sawdust, shredded paper or shredded leaves to do the same.

Kim, There was a big package of seeds waiting for me when I got back into town today!!! I was out of town for a few days so I'm not sure what day it came, but WOW! I can hardly believe all of the wonderful seeds that I received. I've been looking through them and there are lot of things that I wanted and some that I didn't know that I wanted (but I want them now that I see them.) For example, I received Mexican Sage 'Limelight' for my blue and green garden. It has blue flowers with lime green calyxes. How cool is that!! So thank you everyone for sending in so many great seeds. I'm thrilled with what I got back! And a special thank you to our hostess. When I was putting together seeds to send in for this swap, I kept thinking how much work this swap would be to host. Honestly, Kim, I don't know how you did it. My brain would have turned to mush trying to keep all of those themes straight. You did an amazing job! Penny

Whoa grapefruit, you did good. At first I thought, I got robbed, but I just measured mine and, at 25x31, it's actually 4 times larger than yours. Not that bigger is better. :) Still you got a great deal as mine was about $180 with everything included. I'm really glad my crow/raven post inspired you! I put my print in the spot I originally intended it to go, but I'm not sure it will remain there. There are a couple of other places I think I'd prefer better. But I'll leave it where it is for now. You know what that means...it will take root in that spot and it will never get moved. Overall, I like the print. The frame is okay. As I was trying it out in different locations, struggling to get the hanging wires over my wall hooks, the top of the frame rubbed off black on my walls. I just touched up everything with paint and no lasting problem. But when Art.com emailed a feedback form to me, I told them they should put those felt circles not just on the bottom but on all corners of the frame.