The Quack Shack

[WannaBeHillBilly]

We had some creative weather this winter so the February gold that should have started in... well, February... are now flowering together with the classic dependable Tete-a-tete. Later on we got many other cultivars including the multi-headed super scented Jonquilla sub-family of daffodils.

I really like them because the color gives one a boost of optimism that's needed after the winter blahs; and I planted many to support the young fruit trees - presumably they can drive voles away. They spread slowly because we've got such heavy soil but it's happening. So we have literally thousands of them every spring. It's a happy time.

I didn't expect this, but the daffodils have opened their flowers last night. Even though that was one of the last cold nights…

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Is it possible to get 25% more daily eggs than there are duck hens? Oh yes.

The thing is that the ducks got a bit confused about the concept of "daily": we were 4 anticipated eggs short yesterday and these made up the extra number today.

I need a larger bucket!

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They are very aware of the concept of daily! - They just try to prevent their eggs being stolen from that two legged racoon with his huge white bucket.
The Dux does the same here, which leads to some eggs being hidden under a thin layer of mud and wood-chips to be discovered after a couple of days. I told my customers that i now have ducks laying brown eggs… cannot get the tannin stains out of the shells.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

They do move them around. I've caught some collecting the others eggs for their nest. You definitely need to hatch more super layers!

Indeed there are some egg collector ducks! - Last year Buffzilla Duck went from having four eggs in her nest to twelve (!) in one night.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Quick! - Count your Ducks!
Especially those with black or white dots!

Spoiler: Be careful out there! Cruella is in town…

 

[Muscovy Wunda]

Hey all. How is first spring? Much awaited autumn rain here early this morning. I got to feed sheep with DH the other day, don't realise how dry it is when not actively out in the paddocks

 

[Supercow]

Oh that's really dry. How long does it stay like that?

Spring is running at full power again at our place after a couple of -6 C nights which cleared up the surplus (or maybe all) apricot flowers.

 

[Jenbirdee]

Spring is supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

 

[Muscovy Wunda]

Oh that's really dry. How long does it stay like that?

Spring is running at full power again at our place after a couple of -6 C nights which cleared up the surplus (or maybe all) apricot flowers.

For this soil which is terrible at holding water, we will get a green tinge in afew days but if theres no follow up it will die off fast. Our 2 black soil paddocks still have some feed in them, would be nice to have a farm full of black soil

 

[Supercow]

Spring is running at full power again at our place

sound on

 

[davez]

Regarding the anticipated Welsh Harlequin ducklings, I have a question...

As I understand it, it's possible to tell girls from boys by the coloring of their bill ** in the first couple of days ** and then your next chance is when they get their voices.

In the first days of life they are too small to use leg bands. Is there another reliable way that I could mark them without doing them harm?

I put colored velcro bands on their legs. (Typically used as computer cable ties.)