Today we hit a new egg record -- eight Muscovy/Pekin/Runner eggs!
But we have a ways to go yet before reaching peak production -- we have around 19 female ducks, and so the off-season average should be around 15 per day.
In-season we will get more. There are 2 female geese and somewhere around 6 female Guineas. So, what's that, about 2 dozen per day? Yikes! I hope you all will visit often and take away some of the harvest!
2005/12/30
2005/12/22
Goodbye Lefty
Lefty is one of the six Muscovies Kerrie and I collected early this year from a guy named Hans in Redwood City. He was the biggest, baddest of them all, to be used as breeding stock for the Muscovy/Pekin crosses.
Here he is having a playful bath:
Today he became coyote food.
!@#$
Here he is having a playful bath:
Today he became coyote food.
!@#$
2005/12/21
ALC Boot Camp
We at Alpine Learning Center are eager to share our newly found knowledge and experience by sponsoring an Alpine Learning Center Boot Camp! You'll learn all sorts of interesting things, such as:
These questions, and many more will be answered if you attend! We will provide snacks and beverages while you listen and learn. Door prizes include a dozen eggs, while supplies last!
There's also a Grand Prize Drawing! You get: a 9-day stay at the Alpine Learning Center, from February 11th through 19th, all expenses paid! Live the life of a rural farmer; care for and feed the ALC flock. Be the guest blogger! Tell all, first hand, what it's like to have 50+ birds to care for. It'll be an experience you'll never forget!
Boot Camp Dates: January 14, 21, and 28; time TBD. Alternate dates available upon request.
Sign up now!
- What do they eat?
- How often are they fed?
- Do they lay eggs?
- How do the eggs taste?
- Why are Foie and Gras beating up on the Pekins?
- What is Pate doing to that poor Runner Duck?
- Why are the Guineas screaming at me?
- Why are the birds so fascinated with airplanes?
- Do ducks need a pond to swim in?
- Do the geese bite? Hard?
These questions, and many more will be answered if you attend! We will provide snacks and beverages while you listen and learn. Door prizes include a dozen eggs, while supplies last!
There's also a Grand Prize Drawing! You get: a 9-day stay at the Alpine Learning Center, from February 11th through 19th, all expenses paid! Live the life of a rural farmer; care for and feed the ALC flock. Be the guest blogger! Tell all, first hand, what it's like to have 50+ birds to care for. It'll be an experience you'll never forget!
Boot Camp Dates: January 14, 21, and 28; time TBD. Alternate dates available upon request.
Sign up now!
2005/12/06
Pate, I want to have your baby!
As promised, here's an example of the Pate love-fest the Pekins put on.
Directly behind Pate is the "I'm so cute, how can you resist?" head-bob/pose. The next two have outstretched necks, another classic pose. The keen eye will next pick out the Blue Runner, also one of Pate's favorites. Continuing counter-clockwise is a Pekin in the tail-up position, then others in awe of his greatness.
Just another typical day at the Alpine Learning Center. Come visit some time.
2005/11/29
Waterfowl courtship, Paris & Nic...ole
The last month or so has raised eyebrows here at Alpine Learning Center. For starters, Nicole, of Paris and Nicole fame, is not actually female despite our ordering two females from Metzer Farms (now I don't feel so bad that I mis-identified Snowball earlier this year). S/he had slowly gotten larger and larger while Paris kept her slim, trim shape. The hissing as Muscovy drakes do was the dead giveaway. As was his chasing the females.
On the matter of male and female mating behaviour, here are some observations made by myself and Kerrie, poultry novices, to you, dear readers of ALS online.
In an earlier blog I made reference to whether Pate was up to the task or not regarding mating with Foie and Gras. I now suspect that it is not Pate who is the issue, but Foie and Gras. Not that anything is wrong, mind you, but that they are not yet mature enough and are not sending the proper signals. This is confirmed by the books I've read which indicate that geese (gooses?) may require up to two or three years to reach sexual maturity.
Here's the observation that makes it clear that Pate is ready and willing: he successfully mates with the Pekins and Runners.
This sounds obvious at first, but the key is in the duck's behaviour, not in Pate's. When female ducks want to get it on, they flatten their back, sit/squat down (if they are on land), stretch their necks out, and make a distinctively lower-toned quack. There is also a great deal of head bobbing prior to this falling-to-the-ground position. The females literally fall at Pate's feet, sometimes blocking his way as if it'll help them being noticed. If Pate is in the kiddie pool, we will often see half a dozen of the Pekins lined around the edge with their heads out in the "bite my neck and pin me down, big boy" pose. I will try to get a picture so you can see what I mean. Suffice to say, the ducks absolutely love Pate, and Pate loves them back.
When Foie and Gras are old enough and ready for the responsibility of raising goslings, I'm sure that they, too will execute the "take me, I'm yours" pose. Pate has already proven he understands.
One final note: it seems that size matters. One might think that the Pekins would be attracted to the same kind, but they aren't. They run away from the drakes, but follow Pate like he's a rock star.
On the matter of male and female mating behaviour, here are some observations made by myself and Kerrie, poultry novices, to you, dear readers of ALS online.
In an earlier blog I made reference to whether Pate was up to the task or not regarding mating with Foie and Gras. I now suspect that it is not Pate who is the issue, but Foie and Gras. Not that anything is wrong, mind you, but that they are not yet mature enough and are not sending the proper signals. This is confirmed by the books I've read which indicate that geese (gooses?) may require up to two or three years to reach sexual maturity.
Here's the observation that makes it clear that Pate is ready and willing: he successfully mates with the Pekins and Runners.
This sounds obvious at first, but the key is in the duck's behaviour, not in Pate's. When female ducks want to get it on, they flatten their back, sit/squat down (if they are on land), stretch their necks out, and make a distinctively lower-toned quack. There is also a great deal of head bobbing prior to this falling-to-the-ground position. The females literally fall at Pate's feet, sometimes blocking his way as if it'll help them being noticed. If Pate is in the kiddie pool, we will often see half a dozen of the Pekins lined around the edge with their heads out in the "bite my neck and pin me down, big boy" pose. I will try to get a picture so you can see what I mean. Suffice to say, the ducks absolutely love Pate, and Pate loves them back.
When Foie and Gras are old enough and ready for the responsibility of raising goslings, I'm sure that they, too will execute the "take me, I'm yours" pose. Pate has already proven he understands.
One final note: it seems that size matters. One might think that the Pekins would be attracted to the same kind, but they aren't. They run away from the drakes, but follow Pate like he's a rock star.
2005/11/23
Orange Alert
We stand down now from Yellow Alert to Orange Alert. There hasn't been a loss in over a month, and so our guns are no longer drawn but we are still cautious. The birds "enjoy" only an hour a day in the sunlight per day, but they are alive. Plans of an outdoor, secure playpen are in the making.
Pate the gander appears to be 100% recovered, finally. His play-thing these days is one of "The Michelle's" -- a female Pekin duck. Sometimes it's one of the Runner ducks, which is amusing in a way -- he out-weighs them by four times. I'm surprised they don't drown from the attention.
Foie of Foie and Gras fame is oddly gregarious these days. She was shy at first but is now the more social of the two. "People" change I guess.
Alpine Learning Series Axiom #1: If you can't kill it yourself, you shouldn't eat it.
Today marked the third "harvest" -- a Rouen drake. This will become a Turkey Day feast. It was quite small, tipping the scales at just 2 lb 11 oz after cleaning/eviceration. Did everything right this time: killed it quickly, had the right temperature for the scald, and the carcass had almost no flaws after plucking. Kerrie has selected a nice rub that'll go well in the smoker that my brother will cook it in.
Pate the gander appears to be 100% recovered, finally. His play-thing these days is one of "The Michelle's" -- a female Pekin duck. Sometimes it's one of the Runner ducks, which is amusing in a way -- he out-weighs them by four times. I'm surprised they don't drown from the attention.
Foie of Foie and Gras fame is oddly gregarious these days. She was shy at first but is now the more social of the two. "People" change I guess.
Alpine Learning Series Axiom #1: If you can't kill it yourself, you shouldn't eat it.
Today marked the third "harvest" -- a Rouen drake. This will become a Turkey Day feast. It was quite small, tipping the scales at just 2 lb 11 oz after cleaning/eviceration. Did everything right this time: killed it quickly, had the right temperature for the scald, and the carcass had almost no flaws after plucking. Kerrie has selected a nice rub that'll go well in the smoker that my brother will cook it in.
2005/11/03
I am being held prisoner
[Help. I am being held prisoner. The animals are forcing me to translate a message from them, to you, the readers of Alpine Learning Series Online. This is much, much worse than The Birds.]
Rooooooerrrrr. Rooooer. Ruh ruh ruh. Meh meh meh. Aroauuuuuugh, roo roo roo. Arrreeeeeee! Arreeeeeee! Waaaaahn!
[Pate the gander says that his leg is getting better, but he demands immediate delivery of three cases of *fresh* lettuce to complete his recovery. Or else!]
Quuuaaaaaak quaaaak quack quak qua. Qua-qua Qua-qua Qua-qua-qua-qua. QUACK QUACK QUACK!
[The Runner Duck named Snoop says she wants more worms, and she wants them *now*.]
Uh-raq uh-raq uh-rak uh-rak.
[That's Kiki the guinea. She said, "If you don't give me millet twice a day, I'll peck your windows all day long."]
Quaaaaa, quaaaaa, QUAAAAAAAAAACK!
[Clack the Pekin Duck says "I'm gonna lay, I'm gonna lay, I'm laying an Eggggggg!"]
Mah mah mah mah mah,
Ruh-uh ruh-uh ruh-uh Ruuuuh;
Wuh wuh wuh wuh wuh.
[Foie the Goose claims it is a Haiku but I'm not so sure. Loosely translated, she said "Is pate a man, or will the boy become man; we shall see in spring."]
[Please help. I can't take these demands for food, worms; and the poetry is killing me. I can't make it another day!]
Rooooooerrrrr. Rooooer. Ruh ruh ruh. Meh meh meh. Aroauuuuuugh, roo roo roo. Arrreeeeeee! Arreeeeeee! Waaaaahn!
[Pate the gander says that his leg is getting better, but he demands immediate delivery of three cases of *fresh* lettuce to complete his recovery. Or else!]
Quuuaaaaaak quaaaak quack quak qua. Qua-qua Qua-qua Qua-qua-qua-qua. QUACK QUACK QUACK!
[The Runner Duck named Snoop says she wants more worms, and she wants them *now*.]
Uh-raq uh-raq uh-rak uh-rak.
[That's Kiki the guinea. She said, "If you don't give me millet twice a day, I'll peck your windows all day long."]
Quaaaaa, quaaaaa, QUAAAAAAAAAACK!
[Clack the Pekin Duck says "I'm gonna lay, I'm gonna lay, I'm laying an Eggggggg!"]
Mah mah mah mah mah,
Ruh-uh ruh-uh ruh-uh Ruuuuh;
Wuh wuh wuh wuh wuh.
[Foie the Goose claims it is a Haiku but I'm not so sure. Loosely translated, she said "Is pate a man, or will the boy become man; we shall see in spring."]
[Please help. I can't take these demands for food, worms; and the poetry is killing me. I can't make it another day!]
2005/10/07
Predator update
Last week Kerrie mentioned she say a dog-sized Bobcat. I didn't see it. I asked if it had a tail or not; she didn't know. Wednesday she said she saw it again, but she swears it had a tail with rings around it. This is consistent with a juvenile mountain lion; and it's also consistent with the neighbors spotting a juvenile mountain lion in the area. So it looks like I can't blow this predator's brains out with my M1 Garand.
It also looks like the predator might've gotten a bite of Pate the same night that one of the 11 (now 10) Michelle's disappeared (a Pekin duckling).
He went to the hospital because he couldn't stand Friday morning. He's getting the Prince treatment tonight; he has an indoor suite:
For what I paid to get him into shape, he owes me about 20 progeny. He isn't called Pate for nothing.
Here's the boy getting extra special spoilage:
It also looks like the predator might've gotten a bite of Pate the same night that one of the 11 (now 10) Michelle's disappeared (a Pekin duckling).
He went to the hospital because he couldn't stand Friday morning. He's getting the Prince treatment tonight; he has an indoor suite:
For what I paid to get him into shape, he owes me about 20 progeny. He isn't called Pate for nothing.
Here's the boy getting extra special spoilage:
2005/09/21
Yellow Alert
Two weeks ago a mini-jumbo (young Jumbo Guinea) disappeared. A week before another guinea had disappeared -- one of the first of eight.
You know the show "Click and Clack" on PBS radio? You know how they laugh? "Ha ha ha ha haaaah"? Sounds more like "Quack quack quack quack quaaaack" to me. And so two of the Pekin females I rescued were called Click and Clack.
Clack disappeared last Saturday, right from under Kerrie's and my nose, not more than 30 feet from us. Something jumped out from the bushes, grabbed the duck, and disappeared as fast as it appeared. Didn't see it. Don't know what it was. But it was fast, and hungry, considering it was mid-day.
I grabbed my .22 pistol and gave chase. Way too late. Stupid late. No feathers, no blood, nothing. No poison oak either, though I brushed up against tons of it. Phew.
We recently acquired two African Geese. Ping and Pong are their names. Females. Pate, our African gander, would have had an enjoyable next year. BUT. But. They disappeared. No feathers, no blood, no signs whatsoever. That was yesterday, Tuesday.
Long-time readers will remember "Cannibal" the Muscovy. He was chowing down on all the other muscovies at the time, thus the name. He became food today. To something. No way to know right now.
The birds are going into lockdown now. This Saturday I will let them all out, to hopefully one hungry animal that will not be shy at trying to take another. I'll be on the top of the coop with all my guns and rifles and will feed it with a bunch of high-velocity lead when it tries to take another.
You know the show "Click and Clack" on PBS radio? You know how they laugh? "Ha ha ha ha haaaah"? Sounds more like "Quack quack quack quack quaaaack" to me. And so two of the Pekin females I rescued were called Click and Clack.
Clack disappeared last Saturday, right from under Kerrie's and my nose, not more than 30 feet from us. Something jumped out from the bushes, grabbed the duck, and disappeared as fast as it appeared. Didn't see it. Don't know what it was. But it was fast, and hungry, considering it was mid-day.
I grabbed my .22 pistol and gave chase. Way too late. Stupid late. No feathers, no blood, nothing. No poison oak either, though I brushed up against tons of it. Phew.
We recently acquired two African Geese. Ping and Pong are their names. Females. Pate, our African gander, would have had an enjoyable next year. BUT. But. They disappeared. No feathers, no blood, no signs whatsoever. That was yesterday, Tuesday.
Long-time readers will remember "Cannibal" the Muscovy. He was chowing down on all the other muscovies at the time, thus the name. He became food today. To something. No way to know right now.
The birds are going into lockdown now. This Saturday I will let them all out, to hopefully one hungry animal that will not be shy at trying to take another. I'll be on the top of the coop with all my guns and rifles and will feed it with a bunch of high-velocity lead when it tries to take another.
2005/09/07
How to have fun
Go see Charles' entry dated Wednesday, September 07, 2005. I'm envious.
Here's what I did over the long weekend:
These are two new African Geese (gooses, actually -- female. Male geese are called ganders). Why? Pate de Foie Gras, of course.
Please don't tell my friend Erika about this little accident:
Let me tell you, goose poop is pretty stinky already, much like duck poop. But when they get scared, they let it all out, and then some. This is only after 15 minutes in the back of Erika's Subaru WRX. Hooo-weee! Stinky!
Here's what I did over the long weekend:
These are two new African Geese (gooses, actually -- female. Male geese are called ganders). Why? Pate de Foie Gras, of course.
Please don't tell my friend Erika about this little accident:
Let me tell you, goose poop is pretty stinky already, much like duck poop. But when they get scared, they let it all out, and then some. This is only after 15 minutes in the back of Erika's Subaru WRX. Hooo-weee! Stinky!
2005/08/30
Hello and Goodbye
It's official: it's a stupid idea letting the girls set on nests outside. Kittywhee is gone, and her nest has a bunch of broken and empty eggs. I thought I was being mean to Kiki when I broke up her nest; I had bruises on my hand from her pecking me. She was mad. But she is alive.
Did you know that the Department of Fish and Game says that it's just fine for me to shoot the raccoons? If they are taking my poultry, I'm fully legal to take care of them. But wait, I don't want to kill them! It's not their fault they live here and find good eats. What about live-capture traps? I can relocate them myself to a nearby park. Noooo, that's illegal! They say it would displace the raccoons where I do the relocation, and the poor raccoon would also be in unfamiliar territory, not able to forage as well. Oh, and the chance of catching some raccoon disease is too risky. Best to shoot it, bang bang! Thanks, Department of Fish and Game. I'm glad you're looking out for me rather than the animals.
That's the goodbye, here's the hello: the Guinea Fowl Breeder's Association had a competition recently and I won. I will take delivery of 30 keets (baby Guineas) sometime by the end of September. That'll put me closer to 100 than 50 birds at the Alpine Estate. I'll be giving some away of course... I think.
Did you know that the Department of Fish and Game says that it's just fine for me to shoot the raccoons? If they are taking my poultry, I'm fully legal to take care of them. But wait, I don't want to kill them! It's not their fault they live here and find good eats. What about live-capture traps? I can relocate them myself to a nearby park. Noooo, that's illegal! They say it would displace the raccoons where I do the relocation, and the poor raccoon would also be in unfamiliar territory, not able to forage as well. Oh, and the chance of catching some raccoon disease is too risky. Best to shoot it, bang bang! Thanks, Department of Fish and Game. I'm glad you're looking out for me rather than the animals.
That's the goodbye, here's the hello: the Guinea Fowl Breeder's Association had a competition recently and I won. I will take delivery of 30 keets (baby Guineas) sometime by the end of September. That'll put me closer to 100 than 50 birds at the Alpine Estate. I'll be giving some away of course... I think.
2005/08/23
Silkies no more
The pictures I last took of the silkies are the last I saw of them. The following morning, three were gone, and one was dead inside the enclosure. It appears that a raccoon was able to get a paw underneath the enclosure, grab a silkie, and drag it underneath the walls to pull it out. The last remaining one was not along the edge, so apparently it was out of reach though not when it was first attacked.
This morning before sunrise, the jumbo guinea who was sitting on her eggs was screaming in front of the coop. I can now identify the "a raccoon got my eggs and I'm pissed" sound. She's alive, thankfully. Her wattles were shrunken and had lost their color -- probably the least of the effects of sitting on eggs for two weeks. I imaging the full 4 weeks is really draining on a guinea. I wonder how Kittywhee is doing, now on her 3rd week of sitting. I know approximately where her nest is but I dare not go looking for fear of attracting a raccoon to the hidden spot.
The last of Kerrie and my drunken buying binge has arrived -- six Lavender and five Royal Purple Guineas. They hatched late last week. They are very active, healthy, and of course cute.
This morning before sunrise, the jumbo guinea who was sitting on her eggs was screaming in front of the coop. I can now identify the "a raccoon got my eggs and I'm pissed" sound. She's alive, thankfully. Her wattles were shrunken and had lost their color -- probably the least of the effects of sitting on eggs for two weeks. I imaging the full 4 weeks is really draining on a guinea. I wonder how Kittywhee is doing, now on her 3rd week of sitting. I know approximately where her nest is but I dare not go looking for fear of attracting a raccoon to the hidden spot.
The last of Kerrie and my drunken buying binge has arrived -- six Lavender and five Royal Purple Guineas. They hatched late last week. They are very active, healthy, and of course cute.
2005/08/12
It's now week 6 for the Silkies hatched from eggs:
These birds have black skin, which is not appealing to most Westerners. Visit your local Asian market, however, and you'll find them right alongside Cornish Game Hens.
At 6 weeks, these are nearly fully-grown. And only 1.5 lbs., no more. Not for eating, for sure. Not for eating as far as food conversion is concerned. (What does a Pekin Duck weigh at 6 weeks? Much better conversion ratio, for sure.)
On the Guinea front, Kittywhee is sitting on a nest in the woods, as is the only female Jumbo. They might be eaten by the local predators -- bobcat, raccoon, skunk -- but I'm letting them give it a try. I'll know more in 3 weeks.
These birds have black skin, which is not appealing to most Westerners. Visit your local Asian market, however, and you'll find them right alongside Cornish Game Hens.
At 6 weeks, these are nearly fully-grown. And only 1.5 lbs., no more. Not for eating, for sure. Not for eating as far as food conversion is concerned. (What does a Pekin Duck weigh at 6 weeks? Much better conversion ratio, for sure.)
On the Guinea front, Kittywhee is sitting on a nest in the woods, as is the only female Jumbo. They might be eaten by the local predators -- bobcat, raccoon, skunk -- but I'm letting them give it a try. I'll know more in 3 weeks.
2005/07/27
2005/07/24
Fighting, more ducks
This is Roy:
This is Roy a la Confit:
Any questions?
Roy and Hannibal, both Muscovy drakes (males), were fighting the other day. If you've been reading along, you'd know that I have way too many drakes. They fight quite visciously as they mature, especially when there's only one female around. Roy and Hannibal were jumping in the air and trying to gut the other with their sharp claws (Muscovies have claws for climbing in trees). Something had to give. Roy was the biggest, so he became food. His carcass and giblets weighed in at 5.5 lbs, post eviceration. How is he? Delicious! If you want more information (this is Alpine Learning Series Online, afterall), leave me a comment and I'll add some of the gory details (with pictures!)
On a lighter note, Kerrie and I "rescued" three Pekin ducks yesterday. I'm guessing these are were an Easter duckling gift (4 months old, so said the owner) which became too big for their Sunnyvale home. Kerrie and I knew right away that two were ducks, the third a drake. The girls make a distinctive, loud "quack" when being picked up; boys have a much quieter voice. Guess what Foie Gras comes from? The (liver of) Moulard, which is a hybrid between Muscovy drakes and Pekin ducks! We have a match made in heaven! Learn all about Foie Gras here.
The Runners had their first bath today:
Oh, and I forgot to mention... along with all the new Runner ducklings, there are also 6 Rouens (gender unknown) and two female Muscovies. The lesson here is don't drink and purchase ducks online at the same time. The thinking at the time (we were pretty soused, so I'm not sure if there really was any thinking) was that we needed more Muscovies for all the drakes we had; and the Rouens make better general-purpose ducks. (Why do I need general-purpose ducks?! Oh well.)
This is Roy a la Confit:
Any questions?
Roy and Hannibal, both Muscovy drakes (males), were fighting the other day. If you've been reading along, you'd know that I have way too many drakes. They fight quite visciously as they mature, especially when there's only one female around. Roy and Hannibal were jumping in the air and trying to gut the other with their sharp claws (Muscovies have claws for climbing in trees). Something had to give. Roy was the biggest, so he became food. His carcass and giblets weighed in at 5.5 lbs, post eviceration. How is he? Delicious! If you want more information (this is Alpine Learning Series Online, afterall), leave me a comment and I'll add some of the gory details (with pictures!)
On a lighter note, Kerrie and I "rescued" three Pekin ducks yesterday. I'm guessing these are were an Easter duckling gift (4 months old, so said the owner) which became too big for their Sunnyvale home. Kerrie and I knew right away that two were ducks, the third a drake. The girls make a distinctive, loud "quack" when being picked up; boys have a much quieter voice. Guess what Foie Gras comes from? The (liver of) Moulard, which is a hybrid between Muscovy drakes and Pekin ducks! We have a match made in heaven! Learn all about Foie Gras here.
The Runners had their first bath today:
Oh, and I forgot to mention... along with all the new Runner ducklings, there are also 6 Rouens (gender unknown) and two female Muscovies. The lesson here is don't drink and purchase ducks online at the same time. The thinking at the time (we were pretty soused, so I'm not sure if there really was any thinking) was that we needed more Muscovies for all the drakes we had; and the Rouens make better general-purpose ducks. (Why do I need general-purpose ducks?! Oh well.)
2005/07/20
Chirp chirp chirp chirp chirp...
What sounds like "chirp chirp chirp chirp chirp chirp chirp chirp chirp chirp chirp chirp chirp chirp chirp"? Fifteen Indian Runner ducklings!
These are, again, from my now favorite hatchery, Metzer Farms. It's the Indian Runner Assortment near the bottom.
Kerrie posed with Pate the other day to show how he's grown. Compare against a few posts earlier. He's not quite full-grown yet; up until about the first full year, his neck will thicken a bit, the nob on his bill will grow more, and a dewlap will form under his chin.
These are, again, from my now favorite hatchery, Metzer Farms. It's the Indian Runner Assortment near the bottom.
Kerrie posed with Pate the other day to show how he's grown. Compare against a few posts earlier. He's not quite full-grown yet; up until about the first full year, his neck will thicken a bit, the nob on his bill will grow more, and a dewlap will form under his chin.
2005/07/11
I am a bad parent
The Muscovy females have been outside at night the past week, now that they know how to fly. They have been perching in a tree as they would in the wild. I couldn't get them down and so let it go. And so they've been outside all day when I'm at the office, because, well, I can't catch them easily in the mornings.
Today I came home and I see only Sally. Cannibal is gone. Probably a hawk got her. So that I don't lose another, I chased Sally for 20 minutes until she was so tired she couldn't get away. She's now safely cooped up and will soon get her wings clipped.
This is one of the silkies, now two weeks old:
Today I came home and I see only Sally. Cannibal is gone. Probably a hawk got her. So that I don't lose another, I chased Sally for 20 minutes until she was so tired she couldn't get away. She's now safely cooped up and will soon get her wings clipped.
This is one of the silkies, now two weeks old:
2005/07/10
Sick birds, more females
The two-week old keets are getting sick. So far four of twelve are losing their strength to stand and use their outstretched wings for balance. I've consulted every source I know, from online guinea groups to feed store owners. The symptoms don't seem to match anything well-known. So all I can try is the usual antibiotics and see what happens.
Thought I had five male muscovies and one female, but it turns out there are two females. "Cannibal" was the largest muscovy at one time, and earned the name by being top dog, eating all the others' tail feathers. Her feathers were perfect. It was assumed at the time that the biggest, baddest would be a male. Not so. She's not the biggest anymore, and she is no longer top dog, but she flies, and has the female trilling vocalization.
Snowball is destined for the cookpot. Not only is he a Pekin, which is the fattiest, best eating duck around, but we have too many males already; and he's also feeling his oats and is mounting anything that moves. The other ducks don't like going into the coop at night as a result. Anyone have any favorite recipies?
Thought I had five male muscovies and one female, but it turns out there are two females. "Cannibal" was the largest muscovy at one time, and earned the name by being top dog, eating all the others' tail feathers. Her feathers were perfect. It was assumed at the time that the biggest, baddest would be a male. Not so. She's not the biggest anymore, and she is no longer top dog, but she flies, and has the female trilling vocalization.
Snowball is destined for the cookpot. Not only is he a Pekin, which is the fattiest, best eating duck around, but we have too many males already; and he's also feeling his oats and is mounting anything that moves. The other ducks don't like going into the coop at night as a result. Anyone have any favorite recipies?
2005/06/28
New family member(s)
This is a White Silkie. These chickens have feathers with no barbs or quills, and so they appear fluffy and soft. They are very good mothers, and even the cocks are known to care for the young. If I ever hatch guineas or other eggs, I'll put them under silkies instead of using the incubator.
I have other additions to the flock but I dare not say what or how many because my mother will think I'm crazy! Stop by if you'd like to see.
2005/06/14
Eggs for eating and hatching
The guineas are indeed laying again, finally. They are in lockdown during weekdays now, so there is no problem finding the eggs. On weekends however, who knows where they lay.
I've been enjoying quality time with the ducks by feeding them worms. They learned pretty fast that when I turn over some dirt, there's good eatin' to be had. When I break up the big chunks, their bills are in my hands ready to grab anything that moves.
Gras the Embden has become quite the lap goose. Pate used to be friendly, but it seems he's cooled down a bit. Fois is also not so keen on the attention.
People seem to have tales of being bitten by geese, leaving them some nasty bruises. There is no doubt they bite, but I think the motivation is misunderstood. What might seem like an attack bite is more likely an investigatory nibble to see whether you are food or not. Fois, Gras, and Pate all nibble on me when I'm sitting down, and sometimes they nibble hard enough to bring up a bruise. But is it mean-spirited? I don't think so.
I've been enjoying quality time with the ducks by feeding them worms. They learned pretty fast that when I turn over some dirt, there's good eatin' to be had. When I break up the big chunks, their bills are in my hands ready to grab anything that moves.
Gras the Embden has become quite the lap goose. Pate used to be friendly, but it seems he's cooled down a bit. Fois is also not so keen on the attention.
People seem to have tales of being bitten by geese, leaving them some nasty bruises. There is no doubt they bite, but I think the motivation is misunderstood. What might seem like an attack bite is more likely an investigatory nibble to see whether you are food or not. Fois, Gras, and Pate all nibble on me when I'm sitting down, and sometimes they nibble hard enough to bring up a bruise. But is it mean-spirited? I don't think so.
2005/05/25
Frenchie changes gender
She was a she up until the adult male colors started coming in last week -- a white ring around the neck, and the head turning green. Apparently the juvenile form looks exactly like a female. The voice should've given it away though -- the male has a quiet, muffled quack, as Frenchie has.
If the voice is a dead giveaway, then Princess Snowball the Pekin is actually Prince Snowball. Oops. So much for the exam I gave him/her a couple of months ago. I'm giving it another month to be sure though -- the tail feathers also curl up to indicate drake instead of duck.
It also appears that 5 out of 6 muscovies are drakes. What bad luck! At this rate I'll be having roasted duck earlier than I thought. When there are too many drakes, there is a lot of fighting, and the female gets ganged up on if you know what I mean. And sometimes they get killed because of the excessive attention.
If the voice is a dead giveaway, then Princess Snowball the Pekin is actually Prince Snowball. Oops. So much for the exam I gave him/her a couple of months ago. I'm giving it another month to be sure though -- the tail feathers also curl up to indicate drake instead of duck.
It also appears that 5 out of 6 muscovies are drakes. What bad luck! At this rate I'll be having roasted duck earlier than I thought. When there are too many drakes, there is a lot of fighting, and the female gets ganged up on if you know what I mean. And sometimes they get killed because of the excessive attention.
2005/05/22
No bug can escape the patrolling guineas:
By the sound of it, the girls are about to start laying again. They make the most interesting noise while making preparations, sort of like a low-tone chirp. The whole group seems to get involved in locating the nesting site. This time they are just 15 feet from the coop door, in some tall brush/weeds. It's not such a bad hiding place -- a quail has also set up house nearby and is setting on a dozen or so eggs already.
The rest of the animals are making their own new noises. Frenchie the Rouen is sounding like an adult female should -- a quiet, rapid quack. Snowball is still a bit rough around edges, but she's getting there. The geese still chirp most of the time but today I heard Fois and Gras honk for the first time. Pate is still chirping, and is still a lap-goose, but not for long. Here's Kerrie and Pate:
In other animal-related news, we're constructing an outdoor pen for the ducks and geese. They (the ducks) are too messy to have inside the coop. They way they use up water and splash it around combined with the most horrific smelling poo makes indoor housing a bad idea. The shelter will be enclosed on every side, top included, so they'll be safe from predators. The location next to the existing coop gives them plenty of shade during the hot summer months. They will handle the cold and rain with no problem.
By the sound of it, the girls are about to start laying again. They make the most interesting noise while making preparations, sort of like a low-tone chirp. The whole group seems to get involved in locating the nesting site. This time they are just 15 feet from the coop door, in some tall brush/weeds. It's not such a bad hiding place -- a quail has also set up house nearby and is setting on a dozen or so eggs already.
The rest of the animals are making their own new noises. Frenchie the Rouen is sounding like an adult female should -- a quiet, rapid quack. Snowball is still a bit rough around edges, but she's getting there. The geese still chirp most of the time but today I heard Fois and Gras honk for the first time. Pate is still chirping, and is still a lap-goose, but not for long. Here's Kerrie and Pate:
In other animal-related news, we're constructing an outdoor pen for the ducks and geese. They (the ducks) are too messy to have inside the coop. They way they use up water and splash it around combined with the most horrific smelling poo makes indoor housing a bad idea. The shelter will be enclosed on every side, top included, so they'll be safe from predators. The location next to the existing coop gives them plenty of shade during the hot summer months. They will handle the cold and rain with no problem.
2005/04/30
lots of learning
Fois and Gras were acting funny this week -- they were sitting a lot, and very wobbly on their feet.
Turns out they were simply overeating. Guineas do well with "free-choice", goslings do not. They were stuffing themselves, and I was feeding them like they knew better.
Now that I feed them a measured amount every day, they are running around and interact much better. They have Brittish accents, by the way.
On the guinea front, YT has been booted to near bottom. I saw Buckwheat and Psitsa beating the crap out of him today -- feathers pulled, a bit of blood... But, it took two of them to take on the one, so it's not so bad. And, he's not the bottom -- that honour is with Mambo.
Turns out they were simply overeating. Guineas do well with "free-choice", goslings do not. They were stuffing themselves, and I was feeding them like they knew better.
Now that I feed them a measured amount every day, they are running around and interact much better. They have Brittish accents, by the way.
On the guinea front, YT has been booted to near bottom. I saw Buckwheat and Psitsa beating the crap out of him today -- feathers pulled, a bit of blood... But, it took two of them to take on the one, so it's not so bad. And, he's not the bottom -- that honour is with Mambo.
2005/04/24
666 mail messages
I had 666 new messages in my mailbox, I kid you not.
And, unfortunately, moments before, Lily the pekin died. She seems to have swallowed too big a piece of greens and choked. I usually cut them into little pieces, but for some reason I just tossed whole pieces into the water. Bad parenting.
The 6 moscovies are now outside. It's a week early to send them out, but due to a bit of fighting and biting amongst themselves, it seemed best to give them more space. We've named one of the black ones Hannibal after this incident.
Two of the moscovies appear to be female, based on their smaller size. The male moscovy is quite large compared to the female when full grown. Now is when their differences begin showing.
There is a nice little fence around the duck yard to keep them from wandering; predictably, the guineas are a bit confused by it. It doesn't occur to them to fly over the three foot fence -- they run back and forth trying to get inside. I built a few steps/structures that might help give them a clue.
And, unfortunately, moments before, Lily the pekin died. She seems to have swallowed too big a piece of greens and choked. I usually cut them into little pieces, but for some reason I just tossed whole pieces into the water. Bad parenting.
The 6 moscovies are now outside. It's a week early to send them out, but due to a bit of fighting and biting amongst themselves, it seemed best to give them more space. We've named one of the black ones Hannibal after this incident.
Two of the moscovies appear to be female, based on their smaller size. The male moscovy is quite large compared to the female when full grown. Now is when their differences begin showing.
There is a nice little fence around the duck yard to keep them from wandering; predictably, the guineas are a bit confused by it. It doesn't occur to them to fly over the three foot fence -- they run back and forth trying to get inside. I built a few steps/structures that might help give them a clue.
2005/04/17
losses and gains
Lost another jumbo last week, a male again. No evidence of any kind that I could find that explains it. No pile of feathers, no body, nothing.
To balance out the loss, there was some gain. First is two female Embden Geese named Fois and Gras.
Second is a single male African Gander named Pate.
Due to a mixup with the order, John Metzer of Metzer Farms where I purchased these birds threw in a female Pekin Duck named Lily.
John Metzer made no money on my purchase because I had a $25 gift certificate donated by John himself to the Guinea Fowl Breeder's Association where I won the certificate in a drawing. You bet I'll be making all my future purchases from Metzer Farms. Great businessman, and nice guy to boot.
To balance out the loss, there was some gain. First is two female Embden Geese named Fois and Gras.
Second is a single male African Gander named Pate.
Due to a mixup with the order, John Metzer of Metzer Farms where I purchased these birds threw in a female Pekin Duck named Lily.
John Metzer made no money on my purchase because I had a $25 gift certificate donated by John himself to the Guinea Fowl Breeder's Association where I won the certificate in a drawing. You bet I'll be making all my future purchases from Metzer Farms. Great businessman, and nice guy to boot.
2005/04/03
I couldn't help myself
These are Muscovy ducks, at one week of age. Got them today.
And yesterday I picked up a Rouen (another type of duck) whose owner is moving (presumably where she can't keep the duck).
A bit of duck drama ensued when the Pekin (now named Princess Snowball) and Rouen ("Frenchy"?) met. But a day later and they are almost sleeping up against each other.
When picking up the Muscovys today, Kerrie and I had a bit of a scare and laugh. We stopped briefly at Robert's place, leaving the ducks in a box in the car. We came back out and there were only two in the box! Apparently Muscovys are good climbers (they normally nest in trees, so this is a useful skill).
2005/03/30
RIP Rotisserie and one of Six-Pack
Came home to a closed coop. That's not right, I leave it open during the day. Counted 12 birds.
Checked messages. A neighbor called with the bad news: two birds were hit by a car (or cars). She herded the survivors into the coop; the carcasses were in the garage.
I'll spare the details of the state of the bodies, but I did get 1.5 lbs of meat off the Jumbo. Rotisserie was too bruised to salvage.
The only positive I see in this is that none of the females were hit.
Checked messages. A neighbor called with the bad news: two birds were hit by a car (or cars). She herded the survivors into the coop; the carcasses were in the garage.
I'll spare the details of the state of the bodies, but I did get 1.5 lbs of meat off the Jumbo. Rotisserie was too bruised to salvage.
The only positive I see in this is that none of the females were hit.
2005/03/27
It's a girl! ...we think
This is the inverted cloaca. If it were a boy, a small penis would be visible here.
In case you don't know, birds have only one exit, and they perform the "act" by what's called the "cloacal kiss". The female then stores the sperm for around a month in special repositories. Each day during a 30 minute window just after the egg is released and before the albumin starts forming, sperm are released from storage and meet the egg.
Kiki wants babies, duck growth
Kiki is outside tonight -- she is setting on her (and Kittywhee's) eggs. Gotta steal them from her -- it's not yet time.
Here's the duck's growth rate. It is said that Pekins are the fastest growing. I am not surprised.
Here's the duck's growth rate. It is said that Pekins are the fastest growing. I am not surprised.
2005/03/23
Naming contest
This cutie needs a name:
Send your entry my way, prize TBD.
"Fatso" might be a good name, given how fast it grows. It has gone from about 40g at birth to 366g today; it is 12 days old. I don't yet know the gender; in another week or two it'll be at the best age for vent sexing.
I collected three eggs today... which means that either the youngest guinea is now laying, or the elder girls were holding back during the rain and let it all go today.
More birds on the way... more news Friday.
Send your entry my way, prize TBD.
"Fatso" might be a good name, given how fast it grows. It has gone from about 40g at birth to 366g today; it is 12 days old. I don't yet know the gender; in another week or two it'll be at the best age for vent sexing.
I collected three eggs today... which means that either the youngest guinea is now laying, or the elder girls were holding back during the rain and let it all go today.
More birds on the way... more news Friday.
2005/03/12
Girls are busy, new family member
Kiki and Kittywhee have been busy laying eggs. They located a nice secluded spot and there are now 7 eggs within. There were at least (as far as I can find) 4 others in various places -- those must be the decoys. The eggs are small, about half the size of an extra large chicken egg, and hard as a rock!
Six-Pack have not been producing; there is no mating behaviour, other than the occasional chase.
Born: Friday March 11, 2005. No name yet, not sexed yet. Looking for a name. Watch out, guineas. We have a cuddly competitor for attention, and it likes people too.
Six-Pack have not been producing; there is no mating behaviour, other than the occasional chase.
Born: Friday March 11, 2005. No name yet, not sexed yet. Looking for a name. Watch out, guineas. We have a cuddly competitor for attention, and it likes people too.
2005/03/07
Political shakedown, wedding announcements
A lot has happened in the last few weeks.
First, YT, the king of the guineas, is no longer king! I found him last week inside the coop, not wanting to come out and staying at the top of the rafters. Not like him at all. Later I found him getting chased by Ptitsa. Very not like him. Looks like he dropped one or two ranks. Ptitsa is king, then Buckwheat, and then ... hard to tell. Maybe Zoe.
Second, last week the birds were let out all day, every day, *unsupervised*! They did smashingly. Everbody was back, nobody was left behind, when I came home and did a body count. Good birds!
Last... but not least... today marks the first day of adulthood for one of the girls! Speculation from Kerrie is that it is Kiki who dropped the first egg (she was also first out of the gates in the incubator!) Kerrie says Ptitsa was on watch and Kiki was in the bushes yesterday. This is classic nesting behaviour. Sure enough, tonight there was an egg. I'm so proud!
Thanks for the motorcycle gang visits, I saw the card. Drop by any time.
First, YT, the king of the guineas, is no longer king! I found him last week inside the coop, not wanting to come out and staying at the top of the rafters. Not like him at all. Later I found him getting chased by Ptitsa. Very not like him. Looks like he dropped one or two ranks. Ptitsa is king, then Buckwheat, and then ... hard to tell. Maybe Zoe.
Second, last week the birds were let out all day, every day, *unsupervised*! They did smashingly. Everbody was back, nobody was left behind, when I came home and did a body count. Good birds!
Last... but not least... today marks the first day of adulthood for one of the girls! Speculation from Kerrie is that it is Kiki who dropped the first egg (she was also first out of the gates in the incubator!) Kerrie says Ptitsa was on watch and Kiki was in the bushes yesterday. This is classic nesting behaviour. Sure enough, tonight there was an egg. I'm so proud!
Thanks for the motorcycle gang visits, I saw the card. Drop by any time.
2005/02/21
Wandering afar
The birds are being let out every weekend, and seemingly enjoy every second.
There is still a tendency for the younger birds to get chased; and with Rotisserie at the helm, being chased himself by the older birds, they tend to wander quite far. Well, far from the perspective of the coop they live in -- last week I herded them down from the top hill, nearly up to my neighbor's house. And today I found Rotisserie wandering around the house, obviously upset that his troop was not with him. I eventually found the Jumbo Pack, down at the road; they were digging themselves dust bowls. (And amusing the occupants of the cars, stopping to watch.)
They seem to get spooked at least once a day, causing them to take flight and land in the coyote brush. After much calling to each other, they eventually regroup.
Also of note last week was what appeared to be a bunch of males ganging up on one poor female. Turns out this was mating behaviour. They're growing up!
There is still a tendency for the younger birds to get chased; and with Rotisserie at the helm, being chased himself by the older birds, they tend to wander quite far. Well, far from the perspective of the coop they live in -- last week I herded them down from the top hill, nearly up to my neighbor's house. And today I found Rotisserie wandering around the house, obviously upset that his troop was not with him. I eventually found the Jumbo Pack, down at the road; they were digging themselves dust bowls. (And amusing the occupants of the cars, stopping to watch.)
They seem to get spooked at least once a day, causing them to take flight and land in the coyote brush. After much calling to each other, they eventually regroup.
Also of note last week was what appeared to be a bunch of males ganging up on one poor female. Turns out this was mating behaviour. They're growing up!
2005/02/06
7 months, 5 months
Time for a new unit of measurement for the age of the birds.
The 6 youngsters had a bit of outdoor time today -- not unplanned, but surprised, judging by how well Rotisserie keeps them herded safely inside the coop. He slacked in his duties, however, and as a result 5 of the Jumbos are up in a Douglas Fir tonight. We'll see in the morning whether they became owl treats or not.
The Jumbos have been bad boys before: a few weeks ago a few got out when I was checking up on them before going to work. I couldn't get within 50 feet of the pack, and left them outside for the day (the others were caged up). I feared the worst, but when I got home, I found they had all returned, and on top of that, the outside door had closed. Either the patron saint of guineas visited that day, or the gusty winds slammed the door shut after they had returned. Lucky in any case.
On a positive note, they are huge and look tastier by the day.
This weekend I taught YT how to dust himself, and today he taught the others. Smart bird.
Here's Kiki striking a pose:
The 6 youngsters had a bit of outdoor time today -- not unplanned, but surprised, judging by how well Rotisserie keeps them herded safely inside the coop. He slacked in his duties, however, and as a result 5 of the Jumbos are up in a Douglas Fir tonight. We'll see in the morning whether they became owl treats or not.
The Jumbos have been bad boys before: a few weeks ago a few got out when I was checking up on them before going to work. I couldn't get within 50 feet of the pack, and left them outside for the day (the others were caged up). I feared the worst, but when I got home, I found they had all returned, and on top of that, the outside door had closed. Either the patron saint of guineas visited that day, or the gusty winds slammed the door shut after they had returned. Lucky in any case.
On a positive note, they are huge and look tastier by the day.
This weekend I taught YT how to dust himself, and today he taught the others. Smart bird.
Here's Kiki striking a pose:
2005/01/03
Ai ai ai ai ai aaaaaa
Trying to spell out how the birds sound is like ascii art. I'll see if I can get an audio file to do it justice; but in the meantime, here's what they look like when screaming:
Nearly the whole pack made it outside today, though the youngsters were probably chased out. Still, it's a new record for outdoor exploration.
And they DO need to get out: they've pecked open the feed bag and oyster shell bag, scooping their contents out all over the coop floor, and pulled out the timing tabs for the automatic light. They are constantly knocking over the water containers and spilling food. I scold them but I think they like the attention.
Some of the young birds are discovering the millet during snack time. They are still petrified of being picked up though; on the other hand, YT is getting easier to pick up (or maybe I'm getting better at holding him).
Kittywhee still seems to be broody. It's too cold for egg laying though, so maybe it's just play-setting.
Nearly the whole pack made it outside today, though the youngsters were probably chased out. Still, it's a new record for outdoor exploration.
And they DO need to get out: they've pecked open the feed bag and oyster shell bag, scooping their contents out all over the coop floor, and pulled out the timing tabs for the automatic light. They are constantly knocking over the water containers and spilling food. I scold them but I think they like the attention.
Some of the young birds are discovering the millet during snack time. They are still petrified of being picked up though; on the other hand, YT is getting easier to pick up (or maybe I'm getting better at holding him).
Kittywhee still seems to be broody. It's too cold for egg laying though, so maybe it's just play-setting.
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