Devonviolet Acres

[Baymule]

In the beginning of the alpaca craze, a breeding trio went for $40,000 and up. I looked into Kune Kune pigs and was quoted $1500 for a boar. Ummm... not wanting to hurt anybody's feelings, but that's just stupid. it's a freakin' pig--and not a very big one either. They are also lard hogs, think pot belly with a cuter snout. It takes almost a year for one to get to slaughter size. If you run out of pasture, they root and roll it up just like any other hog. A neighbor has some, they were given to him and he said unless you have a lot of pasture to rotate them on, they will root.

If anybody was dead set on a smaller hog, I would get Idaho Pasture Pigs which are a cross of Kune Kune, Berkshire and I think Duroc. They are smaller than regular hogs, but bigger and have better meat than a Kune Kune. From what I have seen on the net, they are more reasonably priced.

 

[babsbag]

The Costco tarps come in pkgs of 2, only one size and I want to say it is 16x20 or maybe 12x16. They aren't expensive, they are blue and brown, super heavy and last for ever. I don't think I have ever had one shred. They are a seasonal item. I can tell a Costco tarp just by looking at them.

 

[Devonviolet]

I checked the Costco website and neither size tarp comes up. Do you remember how much they cost there in California? I know pricing is regional. Considering that the cost of living is higher in CA, than East TX, the tarps likely cost more there.

 

[Devonviolet]

Well, @CntryBoy777, two of our Khaki Campbell's finally went in the pool!!! It's kinda hard to tell, in the pic below. But, there are two birds in the pool.

DH looked out the window & saw one of them on the ramp (inside the pool edge). He called me to the window & as I watched, it walked down the ramp into the pool. At first, it stood in the water, dunking its head. Then it sat down, to bathe properly.

I ran to get my camera & when I came back, there was another duck on th ramp. Pretty soon it went into the water.

The others just hung out around the pool, reaching over the rim, to drink the water.

Before I knew it, the two "swimmers" were out of the water flapping their wings, to dry them off.

 

[Bruce]

They'll get it figured out eventually!

 

[Devonviolet]

I'm just thrilled a couple of them figured it out!!! I know if they are going in the pool, The others will eventually follow suit.

 

[CntryBoy777]

They'll pick up the action as time progresses....they find it irresistable when there is splashing going on....especially once they get mature, because water plays a big part in mating....tho, they will mate with or without water, but water is preferred.....I love those little wings....

 

[goatgurl]

don't you just love how the brave ones show out, look at me I get to flap my wings and preen and dry myself off and you are to chicken to try to go in the pool. boy your babies are growing fast pretty soon you are going to have more duck eggs than you know what to do with. I saw cntryboy77's bag of rocks for his step into the pool. I just use a couple of big rocks on the outside for the babies to jump up on and into the pool. it didn't take them long to figure it out. I do however love the ramp into and out of your pool, your critters are so spoiled...

 

[Devonviolet]

I love 6 little wings....

Yeah, some of the wings are so small. But that doesn't stop them from flapping them.

The smallest birds do seem to be growing. However, they are by no means catching up with the biggest girls. They still get rolled when the ducklings panic & run into a corner. But, MAN! can those little ones run!!!
DH has been putting them back in their pen at night, and it seems that one or two has not cooperated. Tonight he was thrilled, because they all immediately put themselves away when he went out to feed them.

 

[Baymule]

Your baby duckies are growing up! Taking a bath all by themselves!