We got the puppy because friends and neighbours had recommended a dog as being the best way to keep a fox away. Apparently the dog does not need to chase the fox, just be around. The scent is enough. A couple of weeks earlier we had lost some poultry to a fox. Two turkeys, a hen and our cockerel had been chased away from the house and killed.
Using an internet forum for the area we advertised for a dog or a puppy that would be good with animals. We should have added ‘good with humans’ and ‘not prone to ankle chewing’ but you cannot have everything.
At the same time we noticed a couple of postings about other animals, but more of those later.
We acquired the puppy, subsequently named Bungle, from a rescue centre a couple of hours away – bouncing and full of joy he behaved himself all the way home. He now enjoys himself chewing anything provided, whether it be stationary or moving and chasing everything; cat, human and poultry. We think it is just playing.
One of the other postings had been for someone disposing of two geese. They had lost their gander, did not like goose eggs and did not want to eat them. As these geese were a year older than our two they were more likely to produce goslings. And the younger ones would be more tender and tasty for Christmas. We arranged to swap them for a couple of our chickens. Sunday morning disappeared collecting them and adding them to our small flock. As our original females barked angrily at the newcomers it was clear there were some relationship issues to be settled.
The other posting had been about someone selling a couple of sheep – either to keep or for the freezer. The latter suited us admirably. All we had to do was pick them up and take them to the abattoir. We were just setting off when we noticed one of the ducks with something odd in its mouth.
We realised it was a chick! One of our hens, just after the fox had been and gone had settled eleven eggs on a pile of leaves in a windy corner. And now some had hatched. One egg had disappeared, three had not hatched and two had died. One of the dead was in the duck’s mouth and as we watched it as it was swallowed whole. But, we had five chicks and a mother hen protecting them. A cardboard box and straw were rustled up and the chicks popped inside. Mother followed shortly afterwards. We had talked about a broody coop for them but it had yet to be built – something to fill that evening.
We set off to collect the sheep. We had guessed we could get two sheep in the hatchback, a VW Golf, and you can, just. It was a tight squeeze and smelly. We also got a few odd looks as we drove to the abattoir. Probably the English number plate.
On Friday we collected the carcasses and hung them in the barn. In the evening a local Frenchman and his brother, another local Frenchman, butchered them. A glass of red wine and some cash completed the evening.
The lamb kidneys were delicious, the five chicks seem to be thriving, the geese are settling in and the puppy is rubbing its dirty feet on the settee.
I wonder what next week will bring.