Category Archives: Ducks

Mrs. Mallard is missed

When she read about the demise of Mrs. Mallard and my lack of good photos of her, my friend  came to the rescue. Last year, while I was living in Saskatchewan and missing my animals she took video footage of … Continue reading

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Filed under Animal issues, Ducks, Politicking with predators

She howls no more

Sad news here on Howling Duck Ranch. Our namesake (and farm manager) has been killed. Mrs Mallard got taken by a fox yesterday. She’d gone for a swim on the pond and the blasted fox actually got her in the … Continue reading

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Filed under Animal issues, Ducks, Politicking with predators

Of ice and hens

A friend of mine from New Zealand asked me the other day why I stay here, when there are much easier places to farm–I’m beginning to wonder that myself! The night before last, it started snowing; it looked like Mother … Continue reading

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Filed under Chickens, Ducks, Eggs, Ethical farming, Goats, Learning to Farm, Sustainable Farming, Turkeys

None of my ducks in a row

When we first acquired our land, several of our friends had strong opinions about what sorts of animals should populate our potential farm, peacocks being the first in a procession of not-so-practical-but-well-meaning-or-at-least-decorative suggestions. Not wanting to be divorced in the … Continue reading

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Filed under Animal issues, Ducks, Funny stories

How deep is your l’eau?

We are bilingual in Canada, or so the theory goes. I don’t claim to be, at least not in our  two official languages. However, I do remember a few words from my elementary school days, or what my mother affectionately … Continue reading

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Filed under Chickens, Ducks, Goats, Sustainable Farming, Turkeys

Poultry in motion

Last week I butchered 27 roosters, 8 turkeys and 2 ducks and, until a few days ago, I was doing it all by hand (see Butchering day: turkeys for complete photo documentary of the process).  Several days into the planned … Continue reading

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Filed under Animal issues, Chickens, Ducks, Funny stories, How to..., personal food sovereignty, Turkeys

Pressure canning meat and poultry

This post is at special request of Jo at Little Ffarm Dairy. This past week and weekend, I completed a marathon butchering fest. In total, I butchered 27 chickens, 2 ducks and 4 turkeys which may not sound like much, … Continue reading

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Filed under Chickens, Ducks, Food preservation, Goats, How to..., personal food sovereignty, Preserving the harvest, Turkeys

Butchering day: turkeys (graphic photo documentary)

Warning: If you are not seriously interested in learning about turkey butchering, seeing the process documented in photos, then I suggest you do not read or look any further. I have, up until today, learned most of what I know … Continue reading

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Filed under Animal issues, Chickens, Ducks, Educational, Ethical farming, How to..., personal food sovereignty, Turkeys