Last Saturday afternoon, I was picking up tools after a long day in the garden when some odd new chicken noises caught my attention. I walked over to the grove of trees beside the workshop and saw all three of our chickens close together in an aggressive posture. Out of the corner of my eye I noticed a beige colored blob moving behind a tree. As I rounded the tree I saw a full sized adult woodchuck being pursued by the three chickens. It ducked into the compost bin.
The chickens continued their pursuit, indicating to Mr. Woodchuck that he was trespassing in their compost bin, “thank you very much”. The woodchuck did not appear to be interested in a confrontation with three lean, mean Buff Orpington chickens and retreated to parts unknown.
Three days later, there has been no sign of Mr. Woodchuck’s return to our property. Had I not seen it with my own eyes, I would not think it possible for chickens to scare off such a large creature. However, I have observed our chickens’ disdain of any and all rodents; an attitude with which I am in complete agreement. As always, I rewarded their valor with some “Party Mix” for chickens – their favorite – Cracked Corn and Mealy Worms.
Reporting from the farm,
Greg Garnache
