I've been slowly getting garden beds planted. The early birth of little Stormy shifted our focus from the garden infrastructure to the cattle infrastructure, but I'm planting seeds, mulching, and cloching with deer netting as needed. (Currently the garden is unfenced since we were laying in more garden beds.)
Anyway, the newly planted beds were neatly mulched with straw, looking very pretty and organized.
Then yesterday I went into the garden and saw a whole bunch of straw scattered on the ground outside one of the beds. This isn't the first time this has happened.
It's not wind. We haven't had any; and besides, this disorder wasn't affecting every bed, as a high wind would.
The culprits, as it turns out, are the quail. These miniature chickens love to scratch around, looking for good things to eat, and during this industrious behavior they're scratching the straw off the beds and onto the ground.
Last year I noticed they were using one of the strawberry beds for dust baths, which also is behavior shared by chickens.
So far it hasn't been a big deal. They haven't damaged anything or prevented anything from growing. Miniature chickens are just a way of life around here.
"Miniature chickens." LOL.
ReplyDeleteThe beds are looking good. How wonderful it will be for you at harvest time to "reap" what you've invested in "sowing." Jenny
Speaking of Stormy, did you decide on a Calf Pen design, just curious is all.
ReplyDeleteYep. Stand by for a blog post on the issue shortly.
Delete- Patrice
Quail are just the most delightful birds ever. I enjoyed having them and hope to do so again someday.
ReplyDeleteAlso very edible I understand.
ReplyDeleteOff topic here: Patrice, I just read your last column with WND. I understand it's time to hang up your hat there, I've always made it a point to read your articles, and I will miss your weekly words. But there's still this blog, hope that won't go away. I am and always will be a fan of you and your husband.
ReplyDeleteAw shucks. Thank you sincerely!
Delete- Patrice