C&D Farming..oh what a life!

[Duckfarmerpa1]

Our farm started with rabbits. Chris thought it would be good for me to get outside during my PT and have something to do. So we built hutches together and bought rabbits. At first he said he was going to eat them, so I said no to the idea, but then he backed down, and said he’d eat one if it had on brown ear and a white foot with a limp every third Tuesday of the month. . So, he’s only eaten about 4. Mostly I give them away. I love to breed them and see what type of crosses I can get! At one point we had 43, but right now we have 26m with two does due this week!! Watch for updates...

Thats when I became the crazy duck lady as many in my family and friends call me. I always wanted ducks. We bought 4. Which quickly became 8. And on and on. Then I found people in our area getting rid of their ducks because their kids were tired of them after Easter!! So, I took them..that pattern continued. Soon, my local feed store was calling me to rescue ducks! At one point we had 51 ducks and a goose. Even I, admit, that was too many. I have a friend with a petting zoo...he took a bunch.

 

[Duckfarmerpa1]

The rabbits started out by just getting 3 from the Amish around here Chris didn’t know if I’d enjoy them, etc. once I got into them. We quickly branched out into more, ummm healthy rabbits. Those, are still around...just, umm, separated. I don’t know what to do with them...oh, Chris did eat one of those. I liked the colors of New Zealand, he liked the size of Californias...so, we breed both..sometimes cross, just depends. A lot of kids like spotted bunnies. We have a big sign on our farm market that says Bunnies for sale $10! We donated a bunch to our local park for their festival as prizes In the Chinese auction. We like to build the hutches together...actually, we like to build everything together..lol. Our hutches all look very similar, wood stain with green tin roof..our neighbor calls them condos...lol.
Right now I have 6 kits—3eks old and 2 does this week...very exciting!

I have a favorite duck...Little Lou...we he came to us I thought he was a she...he was so tiny, and they came sexed from Metzer farm, so I thought he had to be the she..because the other had much more colors. This breed is Saxony. Anyway. Lou was very tiny but had a big attitude and just was right up in front. He was hysterical. No one pushed him around. Over the next six months..he never grew. He stay about 1lb,maybe? Still had no quack..just a peep. And he couldn’t keep up anymore. It turned out he was the runt. I had to give him a lot of special care all the time, and special food, and phys therapy for his joints. He was doing ok. He finally got full feather after 8months!! I was so proud! The following week he was steeped on my big drake and lig got broke. We don’t have avian vets around here...so no one treats ducks. So, I did it. I was tube feeding him parrot food for baby parrots..for four weeks, four times a day. he got stonger. he stil used his knee to get around,,,it’s awkward, but he’s alive,and he’s my Little Lou!!

 

[Duckfarmerpa1]

It's been 2 years....other parts of my foot have taken over and stabilized the whole area. I consulted several docs. One said 'do it' - the podiatrist of course. The orthopedic surgeon said - nope. I went with the 'nope' because I'm a wuss!

Sounds like yours was the peroneus longus tendon...much bigger area. The peroneus brevis tendon is smaller and the surgery is much more difficult. And of course it's kinda unusual to tear the brevis - but I sure managed it, lol.

Yes, mine was the big, long one...I’ve got the lovely scar too...went to see a specialist who is a podiatrist/sports injury surgeon. He was super good..also super far away. But...I’m soooo happy I did it. BUT, if you had a guy that cuts..al day, every day...and told you not to, then I’d go with that...I did also consult a PT to see their thinking, they said sometimes you do therapy ahead and still need surgery and therapy after. Just..take care so it doesn’t get worse. You know..you’re like the only person who actually knew what I meant about my tendon...most people have no clue because it’s a rare injure altogether...take care down there!!

 

[Baymule]

Your duck is adorable. You really have a soft touch for the underdog and just look at him now! He is happy, healthy and he loves you. I have a EE hen, 4 years old. She got her toes caught in the wire of the brooder, then the other chicks ganged up on her. She was very weak when I found her. My oldest grand daughter spent the whole weekend holding and cuddling her. The tiny chick pulled through, named Rose and is missing toes on one foot. I usually slaughter older layers because they slow down on their laying, but Rose stays.

 

[Senile_Texas_Aggie]

Miss @Duckfarmerpa1,

Just found your journal and am now following along!

Senile Texas Aggie

 

[Duckfarmerpa1]

Your duck is adorable. You really have a soft touch for the underdog and just look at him now! He is happy, healthy and he loves you. I have a EE hen, 4 years old. She got her toes caught in the wire of the brooder, then the other chicks ganged up on her. She was very weak when I found her. My oldest grand daughter spent the whole weekend holding and cuddling her. The tiny chick pulled through, named Rose and is missing toes on one foot. I usually slaughter older layers because they slow down on their laying, but Rose stays.

That’s sooo nice! Everyone teases me that Little Lou should go..but he’ll go when he’s ready..and not if I can help it! He’s a sweetie..and you pegged it..I do love the runts the best...my hubby doesn’t get it...he has the typical attitude that you wean out the weak...I’m glad Rose is well..I’d love to see pictures...wait till you read about our goose..Stubs!!

 

[Duckfarmerpa1]

We got our first blue egg today from one of our EE!! Exciting for us!! Plus, the ducks are ramping up their production so, I made fliers to sell the eggs locally. I’m asking $4.50 a dozen. Many people on BYC sell them for more, but, in this area...people just don’t have the money. I mean, if they sell really well and I can’t keep up, I could gradually increase, over time....but, maybe no one will buy them..ugh. I also made bunny fliers. They aren’t ready to go yet, but I got them ready. And of course chicken eggs fliers.

 

[Duckfarmerpa1]

Soooo, Busty is limping again today. I can’t say anything to Chris, because that’s why he got upset at me for going to the barn at 11 on Monday...thinking it was toxemia. Can’t..or won’t dare go back to the goat forum...they’ll put negative thoughts in ,y head and make bonkers again.....it’s probably because it 3* outside and she’s a little stiff.... I think I’ll make a new thread here

 

[Duckfarmerpa1]

Busty is fine..out running around..causing mischief..I sware ..those goats try to get into the ducks’ stuff every chance they can...they try to get through the back door of the barn when I’m cleaning out the duck barn..so they can try to find any duck nibbles...which I’m careful to make sure there’s very few...but they jump up those steps! But now they at least listen when I tell them out. It used to be a big ordeal when I first got them!

oh...my hubby used to chew snuff. I think it’s a regional thing. He quite 4 months ago!! I didn’t say anything until 2 nights ago..because I didn’t want to jinx it...but I’m very proud of him!! Now he chews gum! And I don’t have to worry about lip cancer! Yeah!

 

[Baymule]

Good for him! I know you want to keep him around and cancer is nothing to fool with.