77Herford Farm Zoo Journal Moving

[Royd Wood]

http://www.backyardherds.com/forum/uploads/3569_77s_hand.jpg

Not much cow muck on those hands 77 Let me know what hand scrub you use

Have a good day and keep me posted on your Galloway calves as they arrive

 

[77Herford]

http://www.backyardherds.com/forum/uploads/3569_77s_hand.jpg

Not much cow muck on those hands 77 Let me know what hand scrub you use

Have a good day and keep me posted on your Galloway calves as they arrive

I'm actually a bit of a Germ-a-phob, so when I come in I scrub till sparkling clean. I wear nicely beat in cow hide farm gloves too. Only my Dogs get my actual hands for petting, lol. I know its hard to imagine a Germ freak as a farmer but it can happen.

My Dad is living his mild dream of farming through me as well.

On the Farm front I swear I heard some chicks peeping under my Buff Orpington today but I didn't bother her as I just wait for her to come out with them to show us.

I decided on Pekin Ducks. They are expensive in my opinion at 6.30 a duckling. I guess its a bit cheaper getting 59 at a time but I don't want nor can I house that many. So I will be getting two hens and four drakes just in case I want to keep a pair and for my OCD must have evens for numbers, lol.

Think how that "Even" thing gets with the Cow's.

 

[77Herford]

Since I'm bored and have ample time on my hands, I will post the breeds of Cow I want some day.

British White
Aubrac
Dexter "Long Legged"
Shorthorn
Devon
Sussex
Texas Longhorn
Spanish Fighting Bull
Buffalo
Braunvieh
Gascon
Gloucester
Murray Grey

 

[daisychick]

When I had my little batch of ducks I had 2 pekins and they out grew all the others. Pekins grow fast! Are you going to use them for meat? I have never ate duck except for wild duck my grandpa used to hunt and bring home.

 

[77Herford]

When I had my little batch of ducks I had 2 pekins and they out grew all the others. Pekins grow fast! Are you going to use them for meat? I have never ate duck except for wild duck my grandpa used to hunt and bring home.

Yes, I will be using them for meat. I had some of my brothers Duck meat as he hunts every year and is an avid Duck hunter. He makes some awesome Duck meals as well and I was impressed. I have only had Duck a few times in my life and two times it was awesome. I like it baked and done not half rare like many gourmet chefs do.
These Peking are a Hybrid that grows fast and has a good carcass weight after slaughter. Grimauld Pekin are the type I think. I'm looking forward to raising them. They should be ready at 49 day, which doesn't seem right and I will read up more on that.

 

[daisychick]

Yes, I like my duck cooked well done and crispy. NO Way will I eat it rare. I have heard that Saxony duck is gourmet in flavor and they get big too.

 

[Royd Wood]

Around 200 Muscovey ducks here by the fall and the best duck you will ever eat are free ranged not fed comm duck feed but forget the 49 days
Good luck with your ducklings

 

[77Herford]

200 Ducks...

I would go crazy or crazier.

One nice thing about this weather is I haven't had to feed any hay for awhile. Guess I could go and get the bulls and bring them home.

 

[77Herford]

Oh yeah I never did say how many Black Baldies I purchased...20 cows. Its gonna get a little hectic with all these calves, lambs, kids, chicks, ducklings and whatever else decideds to birth on my property.

 

[marlowmanor]

We were thinking about getting a couple ducks to add to our flock for the kids but with the price of them we decided against it for now. Plus we would have to figure out a "pond" spot for them and that would be a challenge. We are planning on getting an incubator though so we can hatch some chicks. We figured out our eggs are fertile so we will be hatching a few of those just to practice with the incubator and getting some fertile mixed breed eggs from our chick guy. Now if we could just get people to buy the eggs we are getting we would be fine. I have almost 5 dozen eggs in my fridge right now. My DH will not eat our home grown eggs, nor will his parents (both DH and FIL will not eat eggs that aren't white ).
I'm thinking about using some of our eggs for our Easter dying.