rachels.haven's Journal

[CntryBoy777]

I learned alot with ours....we had 10 hens and 2 drakes....6 KC and 6 Rouens.....we had a bit more than 2 acres fenced for them to free range on and they shared it with the goats....we closed them up at night, because of predators.....but they were out everyday.....I have penned them and they are messy, but out in the fields it is instant fertilizer......tho, I surely don't want ya to get in a disagreement with DH.....it ain't worth it....what about guineas?....

 

[Bruce]

Is the "no ducks" because he fears another population explosion? Maybe you could get a few females OR males. Seems like you need something to control the parasite carrying mollusks. And the ticks seem to be horrendous there.

 

[B&B Happy goats]

We have only three females, they are with the goats, so not a poopin issue here ....

 

[Senile_Texas_Aggie]

Learned the right way to use safegaurd recently

Huh? I thought that you would just wash and lather and rinse just like any other deodorant soap.

Regarding the ducks, I can't advise, but it sounds like the others may be onto something if DH is simply concerned about the population explosion.

Senile Texas Aggie

 

[rachels.haven]

My husband does not like duck poop, and poop soup, and the fact we have to be back slightly before dark to herd them in and lock them up or ducks die and I stress out. The chickens-we just shut the door-no onry spaghetti ducks if the sacred routine is not followed. We may even make a small fort knox run at some point so lessen the pressure around lockup with our chickens. He also does not like duck eggs (but does like the muscovy beef and moist, fatty khaki and pekin meat). The noise is also a factor with the non-muscovy ducks. Ducks also eat A LOT if you let them. That's pricey here.
The population would probably not explode here. Too many coyotes.

DH actually expressed interest in getting Guineas. It is I who does not want them. The guineas I've met seem hard to care for. They seem wild and not so bright and LOUD, which would be a bad combo here. But maybe some spring we'll try.

Safeguard is a goat wormer. I didn't know you're supposed to use it at least 3 days in a row. I wound up with two unexpired bottles of it somehow, so next time they are wormy, I'm going to use that.

You guys got me thinking-muscovy would be great here, but a promise is a promise. DH will not come home to a trio of muscovies-and two hens that are rearing to find 21 eggs each to sit on and turn them into 19-21 babies each, then rinse and repeat in 2 months. Maybe someday I'll try saxonies. They seem pretty. I also love khakis and the layer hybrids dehybridize into fun colors. Geese would help with the hawks, but would not be husband and child or landscaping compatible (or chicken).
Dreams are fun though.

I ordered some bare bones cheese making equipment last night in a moment of bad judgement. I guess I'm going to play with that. There's a fun dream. I also have a spare fridge to see if I can get to run at 50 degrees for a cheese aging space (extra fridge came with house, we have only been using the freezer portion except for the occasional soda hiding/chilling and soap making).

I also have strep throat again-a light case this time, not an "I'm dying" case like the last time two times. I must really have no immunity to it in this area. Previous to the last few months I think it's been about 15 years since my last case. MOAR DRUGS FOR ME. I'm just an antibiotic junkie now apparently. Glad I don't feel too sick this time. There's laundry to do (um, or neglect) and stalls to shovel, not to mention kids to referee for.

Now that that hawk can't get in life is pretty nice.
AND the three original chickens I ordered back in March are nearing lay. Excited for their first blue or green egg.

 

[B&B Happy goats]

Hope you have a fast recovery with the strep....the laundry can wait, go relax ...

 

[Bruce]

Well we tried! I gather DH doesn't go out into the slug and tick world. Given the prevalence of Lyme Disease, I think I'd try most anything to keep them at bay.

 

[Baymule]

And that's the only thing my husband has put his foot down on in 7 years of marriage. No duckers.

QUACK-quack-quackquackquack.

what about guineas?

 

[rachels.haven]

I'm afraid they won't last here, but we may try them eventually. We may also someday reduck. We're just trying to enjoy being duck free for now. Right now I can't even let the chickens free range without them being killed. Not sure ducks would be able to do proper "work" under confinement for their own protection. My concerns are the same for guineas.

I've considered a LDG to help on the hawk/coyte/weasel/fisher/bear/potential unverified mountain lions front, which would let de-bugging animals like chickens, ducks, and guineas work uneaten. I'm willing to bet just having a big dog walking or laying around the yard will make attacking things wary, but I can't afford to put up a perimeter fence, so I'm going to guess they're a bad idea. I've only got the 100 foot pen, the barn pens, and the chicken pen enclosed, and I get the impression that putting in real posts here is going to take heavy machinery, experience, and probably a tractor. I'd probably find someone who does it for a living here and hire out, but not right now. Maybe when the house is paid off in a few years. Then I'll REALLY never want to move again.

So yeah, that's why I'm okay with no ducks or guineas. The ducks can't roam, we can't keep protection for them at this point, so no ducks.

 

[CntryBoy777]

How many sides of your place is vulnerable for attack?....a fence is just a "barrier" of protection.....the number of sides that are vulnerable would need to be reinforced for the amount of pressure that it will likely face....if birds are to be protected from ground and air....then make extra sure that there aren't any trees in their pen, yard area....this helps to eliminate "routes" that can be travelled to gain access....coons and possums will climb one tree and take the "squirrel hiway" to get to their "goal"....an added level of protection would be electric wires that can really help....even the electronet can be an answer for ya....ya may want to check it out.... @Mike CHS uses it quite a bit with his sheep....and it could protect the birds too......