You might want to combine a chicken tractor with sheet mulching of all your yard wastes and food scraps, as described in this article. I think if they have enough organic matter to scratch through they might not dig such big holes, as happened to NHGardener? http://www.themodernhomestead.us/article/Composter+Chickens.html The Lazy GardenerÂs Compost Heap (From a reader): Connected to our six-hen flockÂs coop is an 8x4-ft run completely surrounded by 2x4-inch welded wire. (This includes the floor of the run, to exclude digging predators.) In this run we put everything that gets weeded from the garden, thinnings, some leaves, ears of corn that have been molested by raccoons, grass clippings, kitchen wastesÂyou get the idea. After each layer, I scatter oyster shell. Our hens stay very entertained digging through their sometimes three-foot-deep pile of goodies. The worms and bugs come naturallyÂAbout once every month we transfer our new fertile soil to the regular compost pile. Our garden loves it. I love not stirring or messing with the compost pile. Our yolks are school-bus orange-yellow and delicious. ~Nancy Muller, Dalton, Pennsylvania Here is a link that might be useful: The Lazy Gardener's Compost Heap

Enjoying all of these posts...thanks so much for sharing them with us!! I feed a number of squirrels and have a bird feeding table and suet hangers,etc. I have one very fat squirrel who fusses at me when the seed gets low or gone. One morning I was about to step through the garden gate when for some reason I stopped. Not 6 inches from my face on the gate post was this squirrel...not moving a muscle...I stared in to his face and as luck would have it I had my camera. Now..I'll have to go and find out how to post the picture. I admit I was scared...one never knows what these fellas will do. He just sat there and then suddenly jumped down and ran to the tree where the feeders are. It was a little close for comfort..but..he's here all of the time and a lot of mornings he's on the fence outside the back door...just waiting for me. He will come on the patio and get seed but I don't try it often...it's best if he continues on in his own world...too close to mine might make him a little too tame. He actually let me move my hand up and snap a photo...glad to have it of him..he's really a part of the garden and back yard...now I can remember him! :)))))

Antichinus are carnivores and quite helpful in the garden. The males will start to die off now as only the pregnant females make it through winter... These can be quite a problem if they come into houses because they make nests for their youngs in secure places such as wardrobes, clothes drawers etc, etc shredding items in the process or using these places as toilets... Rose-Marie

Our mothers' war : American women at home and at the Front during World War II --Emily Yellin