The Dogmother Posted June 8, 2006 Share Posted June 8, 2006 Sssshh Mel - don't give my secrets away Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel (& Paul) Posted June 8, 2006 Share Posted June 8, 2006 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One Man Banned Posted June 9, 2006 Share Posted June 9, 2006 I wear latex gloves whenever I clean the chooks out, work on the car, cleaning anything oily or greasy or painting. I have terrible skin that would "absorb" the dirt and as my skin is so dry I can't get it out for ages! Not good to serve a customer with half a field trapped in my skin! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 9, 2006 Share Posted June 9, 2006 I keep loads at home as I get really bad eczema on my hands if they are in contact with detergents and some other chemicals, hence I either wear marigolds or latex gloves when cleaning at home. Andrew - that explains your lovely soft hands Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted June 13, 2006 Author Share Posted June 13, 2006 Mindy has decided to make a nest and sit on her eggs. We were told that she would probably get bored after a few days and abandon them but we've decided to wait and see what happens. Matthew is going to be making the new chicken run today - that might put her off sitting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted June 13, 2006 Share Posted June 13, 2006 Now I really can't wait to come . Mikey loves ducks and will make a bee line for them...or is it a dcuk line How lovely, I want some ducks have to wait a wee while though BBxx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 13, 2006 Share Posted June 13, 2006 Lesley - I've got a broody if you want to borrow her... Buffie - they are gorgeous ducks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted June 13, 2006 Share Posted June 13, 2006 Lesley, if I have a bad day, I know where to go. Could stare for ages at your photos. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted June 13, 2006 Share Posted June 13, 2006 Great Photos! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motherhen Posted June 13, 2006 Share Posted June 13, 2006 Worth a try Lesley - some ducks are good brooders and mums. If she does get bored but the eggs are still warmish, then try finishing them off in an incubator or borrow a broody - I'm sure there are plenty around this time of year within travelling distance. I've hatched ducks under hens and it's no problem - but it would be lovely if Mindy could do it herself Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted June 14, 2006 Share Posted June 14, 2006 How exciting! BBx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted June 14, 2006 Share Posted June 14, 2006 Lesley,is that an electric fence you have around the ducks? It looks fantastic,having them in that large open clover grass field with the eglu just sitting there. Happy little Duckies Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 14, 2006 Share Posted June 14, 2006 They are gorgeous ducks and very happy in their field enclosure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted June 14, 2006 Share Posted June 14, 2006 This thread is irresistible, I do love catching up with Lesley and her livestock, and the photo's are gorgeous. But it's really not good for me, giving me ideas above my station ...... I want some ducks now, Mork & Mindy are adorable, and as for those pigs Lesley, thank you for the updates, you are a true inspiration Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clare* Posted June 14, 2006 Share Posted June 14, 2006 Lesley I have just shown Ben your duck photo. You can guess what he said. My answer was No No No!! One day Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted June 14, 2006 Author Share Posted June 14, 2006 Oh! - go on Clare* - you know you want to Yes, Sarah - there is electric fence. We made temprorary areas with the Omlet netting - 4 areas about 5m x 7m each. The electric fence is two strands of polywire on plastic posts. The permanent runs are being built at the moment - 6 areas, each measuring 5m x 20m, with a gate. No more clambering over Omlet netting Jane - do you need to take the broody duck off her nest once a day to make sure she eats and poos? I hope your bantam is still broody Clare - we may need to borrow her! New additions to the family due tomorrow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motherhen Posted June 14, 2006 Share Posted June 14, 2006 It is much better if Mindy comes off herself to eat, drink and poop, but you may need to keep a close watch to check if she is doing it. If not, but she looks too well in the photo not to be looking after herself, then you'll have to intervene but once a day will do. If at all possible then just leave her to brood with as little intervention as possible for the 28ish days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted June 14, 2006 Author Share Posted June 14, 2006 Thank you Jane - we just opened the egg port and she came out. She had a lovely few minutes in the pond and ate some food. She soon went back in. She has made a wonderful nest of straw and feathers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted June 14, 2006 Share Posted June 14, 2006 .....New additions to the family due tomorrow Oooooh, what?what? I can't wait to find out! Camels? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted June 14, 2006 Author Share Posted June 14, 2006 I thought we already had those somewhere? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted June 14, 2006 Share Posted June 14, 2006 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted June 16, 2006 Share Posted June 16, 2006 New additions to the family due tomorrow ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted June 16, 2006 Author Share Posted June 16, 2006 Just checking to see if you were listening Martin We collected two beautiful Berkshire piglets. Two gilts, 10 weeks old. One will be for bacon - the other we may keep until she is older and breed from her. The farm is only a 15 minute drive away and we took Lauren and Jake after school to collect the new additions. We went round all the stalls with new piglets in - cute tiny little ones - unlike their enormous mothers - then we went to choose our two. They have gone into the temporary staw bale house at the moment. The chicken runs are nearly finished. Photos tomorrow - when I'm more awake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted June 16, 2006 Share Posted June 16, 2006 Oooh, more pigs, that's great news, Lesley. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted June 17, 2006 Share Posted June 17, 2006 Ooooooooooooh lovely Lesley I always melt when I see baby piglets then I look at mum to remind myself how big they actually get and that puts me right off Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
