The Quack Shack

[Supercow]

@WannaBeHillBilly , as I understand it it matters a lot what kind of clover we're talking about. White clover, trifolium repens, is not problematic oxalic-wise and is a traditionally appreciated as very good (high protein; average 20%+) poultry food (in Europe anyway).

Thanks for your gluconate recipe, seems like a good approach.

As to cabbage, kale etc. we've been planning to share the winter veggies with the ducks for sure so that's covered.

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

So I went to the feed room to get the babies more feed. The door was stuck on something. A big rat snake. I tried to broom it out but it was uncooperative. Left the door open so it could get out.

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

Went up to put the ducks to bed and MS rat snake was curled up in their nest. I tried to broom her out but she was pretty happy where she was. So I picked her up to relocate her. She had eaten an egg. It was about 3 inches down. How a duck egg gets in that tiny mouth is a mYstery to me . but I picked her up and put her outside the coop. I'm sure she will be back.

 

[Pyxis]

I kicked the runners out today. I put them in a thing I have that's like a covered run, sort of. This thing:

I got a good deal on two of them last year on one of my chicken pages. I attach a big carrier to the back end where that little door is and that's their 'indoor' space. It's a good way to introduce them to the rest of the birds.

I always get nervous for their first night out, though. Even though they're in the emu pasture. But they were happy to get into their little pool and play, haha. Weren't concerned in the least.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Can we see some pictures of your little Runners?

 

[Canadian Wind]

Greetings from the very wet north.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Snow or rain @Canadian Wind ?

Nice here today with rain this afternoon.

Happy Saturday Everyone.

 

[Canadian Wind]

Snow or rain @Canadian Wind ?

Nice here today with rain this afternoon.

Happy Saturday Everyone.

Do not say the S word!!! That's the last thing I need!

Spent an hour or so in the rain and mosquitos gathering up some daylily tubers. Came in soaked, and now the rain has intensified. Yipes!

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

@WannaBeHillBilly , as I understand it it matters a lot what kind of clover we're talking about. White clover, trifolium repens, is not problematic oxalic-wise and is a traditionally appreciated as very good (high protein; average 20%+) poultry food (in Europe anyway).

Thanks for your gluconate recipe, seems like a good approach.

As to cabbage, kale etc. we've been planning to share the winter veggies with the ducks for sure so that's covered.

Hi @Supercow - i dug further into that "clover" thing:

• There is the plant family of Trifolium (three leaves), that is usually meant when we use the word "clover". This family of plants are the "good guys", they grow on poor and acidic soil, fix nitrogen and are nutritious for plant eaters and nectar-collecting insects like (bumble)bees! And the Irish Shamrock symbol is based on these plants.
• And then there are the "evil guys" from the Oxalis family: All of the members contain Oxalic-Acid, which was actually named after this plant family. As stated earlier, oxalic acid is rather unhealthy if consumed and can cause kidney-stones.

The "good" clover is actually a legume, a relative of peas, lupines, lentils, beans,… I am now thinking of plowing that "useless" piece of flat land this winter and sow red clover in spring to enrich the soil with nitrogen, break down rocks and produce some clover-hay for the ducks…

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

So I went to the feed room to get the babies more feed. The door was stuck on something. A big rat snake. I tried to broom it out but it was uncooperative. Left the door open so it could get out.

Went up to put the ducks to bed and MS rat snake was curled up in their nest. I tried to broom her out but she was pretty happy where she was. So I picked her up to relocate her. She had eaten an egg. It was about 3 inches down. How a duck egg gets in that tiny mouth is a mYstery to me . but I picked her up and put her outside the coop. I'm sure she will be back.

Blanca Duck told me she would like a vacation trip to Texas to pick up some texas-size worms… (She ate a fully grown lizard yesterday, ½" long, whole)