Australians - Where are you all????

[wooklet]

Quote:
I meant to comment on your post re the car - how is it going now? Reminds me of when I wanted to be independant from the current boyfriend and went off a bought a car on my own. It looked fantastic,but like you I didn't check under the bonnet. Same thing - only it wasn't just leaking oil, it was pouring oil! Sigh! Don't you just hate it when ydou have to admit that sometimes, just sometimes, you really do need a mans' help.

 

[duckyfromoz]

The new car is fine now. I am VERY happy with myself in choosing it now. Although the column shift is hard to get used to - as its a three seater, so no consol. Also no power windows...and nothing is digital. The transmission leak was quickly fixed amd the squeak I can hear is only the brakes and nothing to worry about. I may have to look into getting a new drivers seat. I hoped into my old commodore today and noticed a BIG difference in the seats. In the old car- I sit ON it..but in the new car- it doesnt seem as firm and I kind of sink into it giving me the feeling I am a lot lower. I will however make sure I borrow a guy next time I go car shopping.

Well tonight I can see alot clearer whats going on in those eggs. I know 7 of them have started- but the 8th I am not too sure about. The air cells are all over the place though- so that may complicate things come hatching time.

I got some sad news today. I lady I sold a pair of ducklings to about ten weeks ago rang as one died overnight. I have told her to come over tomorrow and choose another so the little one she has wont get lonely. I havent lost a ten week old duckling before. Occasionally one will die within 24 hours of hatching- but never an established one so I have idea what could have happened.

But I also got some good news. A fellow contacted me back in August about my ducks. He says he had one of mine already- but I couldnt think of how since he lives so far away- and I havent sold many drakes the age he has. Anyway- I heard back tonight and it turns out....Someone bought a drake of mine- they sold it to a friend who has a pet shop - which is where the new owner bought it from. I have one particular drake in mind- as its the only one I can think of that could fit the description. I have asked that they email me a photo so I can see the drake to confirm if it was one of mine- and what colour it is- as that was the guys original question when they contacted me. I cant wait to see the pic...and so hope that it may be Baxter. He was one of the first Runners I ever owned- and I would love to see him again and know he is doing well.

I am so over the rain too...I have had to work outside in it as I have put of so much weeding and cleaning for so long that I had to do some of it today. I still feel a little chilled- and for the first time in years- I have my electric blanket turned on in November.

 

[wooklet]

Glad your car is o.k.!

Hope the eggs are o.k. too,I had air sacs all over the place too, but out of 26 Polish eggs,24 hatched! I am wondering if the one egg that is dicey is the bantam? Most of his have hatched too,but he's not as fertile as the big boy.

I hate getting phone calls from people I have sold birds to! Usually it's only a query,or in the case of today,one of my ex sales had gone broody and they wanted fertile eggs for her, but I had one lady who had taken 2 little Japanese bantams from me, she phoned about 2 months later to say that one of them had Mareks,and they were going to have her put to sleep,and would I take the other one back. I felt awful, but had to say no,I couldn't risk it,I offered her another one free of charge as a companion for the remaining one , but she never rang me back. Do ducks get Mareks? It's something I dread happening here.

LOVE your picture on Backyard Poultry! I loved the last one they had "Did you put the rubbish out?" But yours is special, well done, beautiful duck and beautiful sofa,and a really clever caption!

 

[duckyfromoz]

You saw that!!! WOW.. I didnt even think to mention it on here. I am very proud to have my little duckie on the home page. I have entered a few times- and got second... with even better photos..but I am happy i have one... Now I just have to come up with a good theme for the next one. I have a few ideas- but need to make sure it isnt to restricive- and enables lots of people to enter.

The egg that didnt start was not a bantam egg- it was the one dated 17/11.

I am still waiting for the photo to be emailed. But it got me thinking last night- about my ducks- my breeding program and how it hasnt worked because the stock I bought isnt what I was told and genetically they are not what I thought. After hatching so many ducklings I have seen enough mutations in the colouring to know they are not pure harlequins- so have to replan how to go about improving my stock. I emailed a friend who is great with genetics- and ran by him my thoughts on how to achieve what I want without starting from scratch. I am still learning about genetics myself- and was so happy when he replied confirming that what I had thought- would in fact work - in theory. Now to sell of some of these ducklings- so I can start over again......

 

[magicpigeon]

I live in Australia! Unfortunately, I also live near the City of Sydney and am not allowed to keep roosters.
...I still have 2 "illegal" ones who I told not to crow

They are reasonably good at keeping promises, at any rate

 

[wooklet]

Quote:

Magic pigeon!If the boys don't do as they are told, you can put them in a rooster box! We used to live in Sydney,and there are far worse noises around there than a rooster crowing! You'll just have to move tothe country! Nice to have you onboard anyway!

 

[magicpigeon]

Quote:

Magic pigeon!If the boys don't do as they are told, you can put them in a rooster box! We used to live in Sydney,and there are far worse noises around there than a rooster crowing! You'll just have to move tothe country! Nice to have you onboard anyway!

LOL my user comes from a few years back when I was an obsessive-compulsive pigeon breeder. My family hates pigeons even more than chicken poop so it was like a trade: give away the pigeons and you can have these chickens.

I agree, there are worse noises, such as my neighbours (don't ask...) but I know for a fact, that there is another illegal rooster a few blocks down (buff orpington, if I'm not mistaken) who is twice as noisy as my silkies

I think I've got an Australorp roo as well (still a baby) , so I don't know how well they can keep their promises...XD

 

[duckyfromoz]

magicpigeon welcome to BYC... Illegal roosters....too many over council allowances...Im sure there is many an " illegal " birds in my area too. People up the road from me must have about 30 chooks. They have a double block..House on one and a vegie garden and chook run on the other. I am slightly over numbers with my ducks...if you dont include all the extra 5- 8 week old babies I have for sale at the moment.

I have just been given another 2 dozen chicken eggs tonight. Mostly Wyandottes with some cross breeds as well- and 2 cute little blue eggs. Not sure how they might all fit into my incubator at the moment. Half of them have been posted- and the guy who brought them around is setting some of them as well- so it will be interesting to see how we both go.

 

[duckyfromoz]

WHAT A WEEKEND!!!!!!!!! I had my work Christmas party on Friday night. A Hummer Limo ride to Mooney Valley for the races..It was a great night. Saturday I sold some ducks...bought and borrowed some more...mowed what lawn I could while the sun was shining after all the rain we have had... I even felt like drinking a beer after that.... And I only ever feel like a beer after hard work in the middle of summer- its when it tastes best. Today I sold more ducks- and moved pens Etc...I need another day off work before I am ready to face it all again.

Just over a week til I start hatching chickies and ducklings again..I cant wait for babies again... I am so used to hatching every weekend that the last two weekends have just seemed odd with nothing happening in the hatcher.

What are you all planning for Christmas?? I am having a quiet one I hope... Maybe a BBQ in the yard so I can sit out there a while with the ducks.

 

[wooklet]

Are those eggs due already? Wow - time flies! How are they looking now?
I also had an exciting weekend with the arrival of 4 beautiful black silkies from Victoria. Ended up geting 3 hens and a rooster, and am glad I did the roo is beautiful, as are the girls with one of them having the most amzing feathered feet! I'll post a pic of them when I am ready. They are a little bit skinny, but tonight they went to bed with crops bulging! Animals don't go hungry here!! Also had a girl come over to buy 4 Polish chicks,and she couldn't make up her mind which to have so ended up taking 7 - helped to pay for the Silkies - they were NOT cheap! Who cares! They are worth it.
Your Friday night sounds good! Haven't been to the races for ages. Did the Hummer have a fully equipped bar?? Christmas will be quiet here too, John is threatening to eat one of the Barnevelders, I'm vegetarian, so the thought of cooking a friend doesn't impress me!! I do cook meat and chicken for him, doesn't worry me, but never cooked one of our chickens before! He still hasn't got rid of those others, we have little brown figures running around everywhere, "I'll get rid of them" he says when I ask, but never does,and now there are 20 more due to hatch this week............... Should never have encouraged him to use that incubator!