The Chicken Chronicles: Meet The Ducks

I present to you…

Quackers and Cheese.

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Quackers is on the left and Cheese is on the right. I love these little ducks. They stink to high heaven, so I stuck them outside the other night (everyone goes outside during the day, but the chicks go in the garage under the heat lamp at night still). I was worried sick that I would kill them, but walked out this morning (in the cold) to find the ducks happily swimming in their kiddie pool.

They love their chicks – every night when I go in to take them into the garage, the ducks cry for them. And when I bring them out in the morning, the ducks come waddling and quacking over to greet them. Seriously adorable.

The Chicken Chronicles: Chick Pics

New year, new chicks, right?

Sadly, I have to start off with one that didn’t make it. Little Red died this morning.

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I hate this part of animals… even when they’ve only been with me a little while, it makes me sad. I guess it’s not meant to be with me and the Rhode Island Reds… first Stretch last year, now Little Red. She was given a proper burial on the ranch.

Now, onto the happier part of the post… the living chicks and ducks. That’s right DUCKS! These little ducklings are so freaking adorable, it kills me! But first, the chicks.

This is Kramer, my Polish Crested. I know it’s not a very feminine name, but she’s going to have some crazy hair and the name fits! Google Polish Crested and you’ll find out what I mean!

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This is Dot, my Speckled Sussex. If you remember last year’s chickens, you’ll remember Cleo, who was also a hawk casualty. The Sussexes are beautiful and I wanted to get another one.

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This is Lacey, my Silver Laced Wyandotte. She’ll be another pretty one – basically all black with gray/silver “lacing” on her.

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This is Goldie, my Buff Orpington. I haven’t had one of these before, but thought a lighter colored chicken would go well with all of my dark ones!

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Now, onto the ducks. I don’t know enough to figure out what breed they are yet, but I’m doing some research. I’m waiting to name them until I know a little more about them and can see their little personalities.

Meet Duck #1:

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Meet Duck #2:

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Well, that’s it for the new members of the ranch!

 

 

 

Baby Goats!

Yesterday I headed over to my sister in law’s house to check out their baby goats. I have never really hung out with a goat before, so I didn’t know what to expect, but these little suckers were adorable! I did learn that you should not stroke their billy goat beards (they pee on them?!). This is me looking a little bit crazy… “LET ME LOVE YOU!”

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Skyler looks much cooler than me:

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The two small white ones are the babies (they’re already getting big!). They snuggled up next to Mama and then mean old Uncle Goat came to scare them away:

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The babies then decided they were hungry, and it was a much rougher process than I would have imagined. They reach up under there and whack Mama pretty hard on the teats (yes, I said teats) then both get down to business. It was a little bit scary!

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They are also raising turkeys… who are way more adorable and friendly than baby chickens!

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Don’t tell Mike,  but I think I need a goat.