Mike : First time I have written and may I say that your newsletters are always very interesting. I started keeping hens 4 years ago, just with 5 RIR's for egg purposes, and boy, until one has tried fresh laid eggs, you don't know how awful store bought ones are! These hens intrigued me with their individual characters and of course I became attached to them. Wanted more! Now I have 15 hens of all different breeds, one magnificent Blue Cochin rooster, 5 Embden geese, 10 guinea fowl and 4 Muscovey ducks! The rooster, a huge boy, has taken a dislike to me now, and even though I am always out there, cleaning, watering, feeding, I have to keep an eye on him as he will take any opportunity to attack me from behind! He does not back down either, but he doesn't hurt me so I forgive him as he is only protecting his girls - or does he really hate me? Hhmmmm! The male goose and I have a good understanding and he has never tried anything, we respect each other and have no problems.

May I reply to an article written by Ed Coll in the recent newsletter, May 2013 Vol. 2 - I like this idea of a simple feeder, but I am wondering about rain - would it be an idea to fix this inside a box that is big enough to take the hens and then will keep the food dry? I bought one of those expensive metal "treadle feeders" which to be honest, is most disappointing. Either it keeps blowing over in the high winds we have here in the mountains, or it leaks at the seams and rain gets in and then the food gets wet and clogs up the whole system, regularly. I have tried to waterproof the joints with silicone sealant but the blooming geese pull it off! I like Ed's idea! Best wishes, Mike

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