This old grey mare sure ain't what she used to be!

Yesterday afternoon we noticed that the far side of our little barn had started to rot, partly because of my flowers crowding too close and partly because of Bob's banking the sides with snow, I guess.

Anyway, we noticed that "something" has been digging into the side of the barn, pulling out insulation, and making a hole into where the chickens are!! Probably something BAD!

Bob's thinking weasel, which would be the worst case scenario. I'm hoping something medium bad, like a rat or a squirrel.

We realized that if we waited and "it" is a weasel, we could wake up to all dead chickens this morning, so the project began.

I went around cutting back and pulling up plants (we're talking the length and front side of the barn, so 28' altogether) and Bob dug up all the sod/roots and the cedar logs, wheelbarrowed all the stuff across the road, and hauled rocks, etc. Then I helped him put small chicken wire around the two sides.

Those are the basics, but it was a three hour project, and we're both whipped! Bob could hardly move this morning, but at least he didn't have a heart attack, and nothing got in the barn during the night.

Whoo-eeee. The hardest part was not letting Bob see how tired I was getting!

Ya'll take it easy, B2Y. Is there anyone that could help you?

B2U - you and Bob need to start asking for some help! Glad nothing happened to the chickens but gosh girl! ask for help!!

Could be a mole too. One got into my parent's wall of their house, and they're destructive little buggers.

Sorry to hear you have a pest and about the exhaustion. Least you can set your mind at ease that the chickens are ok

I know how you feel, B2Y !!

Goodness! That sure is a big job but glad you got the little critter under control. How dare he/she tear out insulation. Hopefully it was the glass kind and it wont come back. lol

We had a family of raccoons that managed to get a hold of some of our chickens years ago - uugghh what a mess - now we over build for protection of our "girls".

We were very surprised our outside dogs didn't raise a fuss that nite

glad you were able to address the problem and take care of it. glad your birds are doing well, you becareful of you over doing it, yeah I know it had to be done, just try to take care of you

I'm thinking raccoons ... and they are mean when you sneak up on 'em ... they like tall grasses to hide out in ... or oppussums ...

be careful ... VERY careful ...

sorta like teenagers asking un-approved boys (or girls) over for a late-night party!! silly, silly chickens!

I don't think we have possums up here, do we? Whatever it was chewed a hole in the wood. My nature type friends tell me weasels don't chew through wood, but if a squirrel made a hole, a weasel can get in a hole about as big as a grape. And they're mean, mean, mean!

We're also near the river, and mink also like chicken.

I'm thinking sit out in the lawn all night with a shotgun and a flashlight. Nah.