Community garden founders devastated after loss of chickens
The couple behind a popular community garden near Prince Albert are devastated after losing a number of young chickens over the weekend.
Bonny and Mel Sanderson lost 40 chickens in two separate attacks at their farm east of Prince Albert. The couple has been operating Jessy’s Garden as a community space for nearly 10 years, and added chickens a few years ago.
The Sandersons guess a mink got into the chicken coop on their property, killing 17 birds in the first attack Saturday night and another 23 Sunday night. Bonny Sanderson said they worked to fill the coop with fresh straw and plug any holes, but the animal was still able to get inside a second time.
Sanderson said the birds were young, having just come to the farm last spring. One of the dead birds, Tiny, was a favourite amongst young kids and families who visited the gardens over the summer, she said.