Be Ye Separate

A New Adventure

Blessings!

   Well, our new adventure this year is to add these sweet ducklings:) We've had most other birds but ducks are new to us. Well, fairly new.

   Our very first duck was an orphan. We had no idea what it was because it had been given to us by someone who also had no idea. They were just sure it wasn't a Muskovey like they raise. As it turned out several months later we discovered that not only was "it" a "she" but it was also a White Campbell!:) We were excited because we had been doing a lot of research on ducks and had decided that we wanted to have Campbells and Muskoveys.

   Anyway, Adelaide, started laying two months ago and we are so happy with her production and the taste of the eggs that we were sold and decided it was time to order ducklings.

   We have never ordered from a hatchery before. We looked at many different hatcheries and spoke to them before settling on a particular one. Most of them would only send us straight run ducklings. Two of them would only send us pairs. And one would send us what we wanted.

   We didn't want to take chances on ending up with all drakes and we certainly didn't need a dozen drakes just to get a dozen ducks:) So we ordered 15 ducks and 3 drakes. The ducklings were finally delivered a week ago. They had sent us one extra but it died in shipping. The rest of the ducklings were in fine, healthy shape. We couldn't be more pleased:)

   Today we banded the drakes so we wouldn't loose track of them. They do all look alike you know:) Thankfully the outside brooder had been cleaned and fixed before they arrived. It is quite handy being attached to the side of the henhouse. This way we can feed the babies and still deal with the chickens at the same time:)

   After we moved here back in November, our old neighbor phoned and asked if the girls would like to have a few of her Muskovey's. Of course!:) We had planned on raising them for meat anyway so this was a good start:) God is so good!:)

   The one with the black on his head is Johnny B Good:) Then there's Dotty who is the one in the back with a tiny black spot on her head. The other one standing is Delta Dawn. The one hunkered down in front was Danny Boy. He became suddenly ill and we had to separate him out. He couldn't stand up and we watched and cared for him for several weeks. He seemed to recover except that he never did walk right again. When the others began to avoid him we figured it was time to cull him out.

   Just this past week they began to lay and as of today we officially have a broody momma:) Yep, Delta Dawn is going to be a mother...we hope:s You see, we aren't entirely sure that Johnny ever really figured out which end was up:S After watching them for several weeks while he practiced, we were certain that those girls are very very VERY patient gals:P So in about 35 days we'll know for sure:) We just can't wait.

   As we have continued on this path the Father has led us to, we are ever grateful and always amazed and humbled by His provisions for us. Even though we are only able to rent here, He brought us to this place with more land, buildings and pens already built, and landlords that don't mind our expansion in the least:) He brought us free animals, discounted animals, and a wonderful supplier for our feed needs. What did we do to deserve such attention from our Heavenly Father? I'll tell you what...NOTHING! It wasn't what WE did, it's what HE did.

   Thank you Lord for sending Your Son to die for me. A free give of salvation. Such a high price You paid so we could become Your children.

   Have a blessed evening!

God be with thee!

Sister Lori

Hi!

{ 19:16, Tuesday, May 8, 2007 } { Posted by LivingSimple }

I too love duck, right now we only have one and it is a mixed breed...We too only rent where we are, we used to own, but moved for various reasons...we have also been so blessed in our move and our landlords have been so good to us and allowed us to have all of our critters with us..God is so good and His goodness never ends...I am blest to be able to have such an awesome father!
Much Love in Christ-
~Kris

Untitled Comment

{ 15:56, Wednesday, May 9, 2007 } { Posted by Kitty }

I have raised many ducks while living on this homestead, but each and every time they get a little older something gets them and kills them. Most times all I find is a few feathers. I'm pretty sure it's a gator (south Louisiana had its down falls, lol). I would love to get a few more, I just love watching them waddle all about.
PS, thanks for adding my blog to your list of friends, it really does mean so much to me.
Have a blessed day
Kitty