BYC in Africa

[petrel]

The crows here could easily eat a chick, although they would have to do it on the spot or a few of them would have to dismember it to carry it off. Young birds are #4 in the list of Pied Crow diet items on Wikipedia.

 

[Zimbabwefarmer]

This is our Pekin duck (his mate died recently) and now all he has in the world is 'Goliath' a mixed breed (we call them 'road-runners' in Zimbabwe) also a male... they are best of friends (ducks really seem to need alot of company don't they). Would anyone be able to hazard a guess as to what Goliath's origins would be (breed-wise) he is a tall chap and still growing with a flat pulpy comb (I saw someone with the exact same comb on their avatar/profile pic).... and was curious...

 

[Zimbabwefarmer]

thanks Petrel, that helps, wow ... (so my 2 year son was right) it WAS a 'cwow'

 

[Zimbabwefarmer]

 

[gander007]

 

[katie5668]

Welcome...I am in Colorado, USA.
I admire your coop..very inventive & it appears to work well...great use of what is available .

Good luck with your flock. Day by day I learn more & am always amused at the antics of my chickens, ducks, and geese.

Kati in Colorado

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC and back to poultry keeping.

 

[Zimbabwefarmer]

Thanks Katie,
Yeah it was my wife's idea - the pole (for the satelite dish) was used to support a dovecote (for tumbler pigeons).
Was looking at your pictures - wow those geese of yours are huge! What do you 'use' them for (forgive the expression)?
They quiet happy in the snow? Suppose they don't have a choice hey... just like mine have to endure the heat...
Thanks again for your compliment,
Dave

 

[roostersandhens]

 

[katie5668]

mostly the geese are for protection of the flock..much like watch dogs! They keep snakes & rodents out of the hen house usually.
the eggs are great for cooking...1 goose egg = 3 hen eggs....1 duck egg=2 hen eggs
that way we keep the yummy chicken eggs for ourselves or to sell to help cover the cost of feed!

The geese were amazed at the snow..then decided it was great fun..actually they figured out how to slide in it using their tummys as sleds!
Amazing that people believe animals cannot think..mine always surprise me with the new stuff they come up with nearly daily!

We have extreme temps here..our summers can get over 100...then winters can be -20...so I have a large hen house with some insulation..old feed bags work!
plus I keep a flood lite on in the winter for them ...I have opened the door mid snow storm & it was comfortable in their house.

Off to tend to chores..have a good week!