I think my relatives think I am nuts for getting birds this summer
At times I think I am nuts. The adopted dog also new this summer has been a ton of work- destroying gardens/doors and such. Dog that was here for a year and slept 23/7 now has discovered the birds and as such has been stalking them 24/7- I am either shaving years off her life or extending her life by being so interested in the birds.
The chickens have been work~ not as much as I thought and then with the dog circling them a lot more work than I thought
The ducks I got for my DH on a whim. I knew they were work~ but I guess I went over board when I ordered and therefore am cleaning out their area A LOT more than I expected.
My kids are a handful, My DH works a ton and therefore anything at home ends up on me. So with the addition of more animals -dog, chickens and ducks I may be nuts
But the kids and I and I think even DH is learning a ton. I have educated anyone and everyone who has come to our place about our animals and as such I think they have learned a lot. The kids entered 2 chickens at the fair and through that experience I did think I was nuts. I dragged a then 3, 5 and 7 year old to the fair 2 days in a row for a 9-10 hour day. But again we all learned a ton through the days at the fair even if we were dead on our feet when we came home. We have yet to see an egg
But any day now and we will.
As for the neighbors
Well who knows
I am sure they, who are all "real" farmers think I might be nuts. But we are having fun and again learning a ton. I am just hoping no one convinces anyone to raise a bigger animal as I don't think I have any more time to devote to animals.
As for not being useful~ Ducks do produce eggs and can be used for meat. My real purpose for these ducks is insect control. Hopefully I get the dogs under control and we can free range these birds! I also am hopeful on the eggs and unsure about the meat but that is always a possibility as "on the farm" animals do get eaten. I have told the kids this fate as well and even though they are not in favor (not sure that anyone really is if they think of something as a pet), it is a possibility. My Dad and I just butchered my first two chickens ever and while I did not like the procedure it had to be done. They are waiting in the freezer until I can get myself to eat them. I am guessing that it will get easier with time.
Good news is that you and I have found this site where the people without birds are the oddballs
I not only have found lots of info but have also found reassurance into what I am doing with these birds.
