Wee ducks

Everybody knows that baby ducks are cute. With their fuzzy yellow heads, and their cute orange beaks, what's not to like?

The stink.

My experience with chickens and wee baby chicks did not prepare me for ducks.  I assumed that it would be the same in terms of care and upkeep.

Boy was I wrong!

So here are my learning's about ducks.

1. They swim in their water dish.
2. They like to eat their food wet, which means that their water is usually a murky colour as the food has been sitting in it all day.
3. Their wood chips get wet, and combined with the daily poop they become a sticky brown mess.
4. They are not cuddly, in fact they will wiggle out of your grasp like an oiled snake.
5. They like to tip their water dish, which means changing the water frequently - see number 1.
6. The wood chips become cement like after two days.

The ducklings are now living with Charlie out in the barn in an enclosed area, until they are old enough to free range. For now, we are using straw in their enclosure, but I am beginning to realize why the folks who keep ducks have earth enclosures -and have them open to the elements. I realize now it's so that the rain can wash away the stench!

Soon enough they will be free ranging, which will solve the issue for the summer months. However, I am not looking forward to the cold winter months...as that smell will be indoors for the season.

On Call 24/7

One of the challenges about being a "part-time" farmer is that unexpected situations can really wreck havoc with your day.

I arrived home after a particularly long commute to see my better half running towards the gate in a panic.

Uh oh.

I rolled down the window to hear the four words that most farmers cringe at.

"The bull got out!"

I have never moved quite so fast - changing into my farm gear and running for the pasture, grabbing half a loaf of bread as I ran past the bread bin.

The damage wasn't so bad, fortunately he didn't knock out the cedar fence posts, only the railing in between. I shook my head at the damage, and sighed. Putting up the new electric wire was on the to do list for the weekend, it seems our bull didn't want to wait.  The bull looked at me with baleful eyes, and seemed to be apologetic.

We managed to get him down into the barn area, using bread and grain to lure him into the barnyard -- and then strung a temporary electric fence to keep him there. What followed was 2 hours of fencing, in the dark cold drizzle and rain.

As I pounded fence insulators into the old grey cedar posts, I realized that this is the side of farming which most folks don't think about. The fact that there is no "9-5" work day. Farmers are on call 24/7. Whether it's to assist in a lambing, fix a fence, or check on some chicks in the incubator... you are always on call.

Hours later, curled up together on the worn out old sofa in our family room, I asked with a smile "so what do you think, too much work? Should we give up the farm?"

My dear sweet man smiled at me as he grabbed the latest copy of Ontario Farmer to read the classifieds "Never".

What's a farm without a....

When I saw the ad, I thought "what on earth would we do with him?", but given the massive fly problem we have been having I thought "why not?".

And so Charlie arrived.

Charlie is an Indian Runner duck, and what makes him facinating and albeit comical is that he stands straight and tall like a bowling pin.  At the present time, he is hanging out in a dog kennel down by the barns, and being spoilt with every treat imaginable.

The trouble is, we think he's lonely.... and so we have some Indian Runner ducklings arriving this weekend. Fingers crossed that one of them turns out to be a Mrs. Charlie!

Don't waste your vote!

We have an upcoming federal election, and it is so easy to get lost in the sea of information out there when it comes to candidates.

The Ontario Federation of Agriculture provided this great comparison table, which compares key parties and their thoughts on major initiatives.

http://www.cfa-fca.ca/sites/default/files/Party%20Platform%20Comparison%20Table_2011.pdf

I have found it to be very handy, and will make the most informed choice I can at the polls!

Growing Forward

The Ontario Farm course we took recently, "Growing Forward" has allowed us to look at our farm as more of a business, and less of a hobby.

When asked recently "what do your kids raise on the farm?" my mother-in-law replied "pets!". 

We hope to change that!

Prior to this point, we have been sort of floundering around and experimenting with different ideas, and while experimentation is good it is also costly. So we have now developed a business plan for the property, which will allow us to hopefully move forward and create a viable hobby farm that supports itself financially.

All of this is excellent news, with the only downside being that part of that plan involves selling off the cattle.  Our 50 acres is not suitable to a cow/calf operation, and so the difficult decision has been made to sell off most of the herd.

So what will we be looking at next? Sheep. We will be partnering with a sheep farmer, and learning more about their operation.  Having hands on experience will allow us to explore the idea without having to put capital up front.  If we decide that it's something we would like to explore further, we will begin with a small flock and ensure a solid foundation.  No more jumping in blindly, as fun as that was.

So the donkeys - all three of them - stay, and so do the chickens.  As for the cattle, we will have two for now. Our bull and one female.  However, down the road if we find the right home these two fine specimens will also leave the farm.

Endings are only the beginnings of new adventures - and this one seems like it's going to certainly be an interesting one!

Ontario Farm Fresh

We are fortunate that we live in a province that values agriculture. We are also fortunate to live in a province that is beginning to understand the health benefits of eating quality foods.

The Ontario government will be launching a new website for farmers, producers and buyers. Think of it as a "Dating site" for farmers and buyers!  Buyers will be able to go online and find specific producers, and producers will be able to connect with buyers.

To sign up your farm for this website, visit http://www.ontariofresh.ca/joinload.php

I'm Not A Flower

My dear sweet fireman was early down to the barns this morning, and as he stood greeting the donkeys he saw a large black cat dash by with it's fluffy tail at full mast.

He chided the cats for allowing a Tom cat into the barn. Peering around the hay bale, he tried to catch a glimpse of our visitor.

Nothing.

"Here puss puss! Here puss puss!", he called for the big fat Tom.

Our three barn cats sat lazily watching him searching the hay bales.

He climbed up a stack of square bales, and peered down inside the hidey hole where the barn cats like to sleep.

Peering up at him was a very large skunk.

He slowly backed down the hay bales, and retreated from the barn.

Seems our barn cats have allowed a visitor to share their cozy hay pile. Now the question is...how to get the skunk out of the barn? We can't trap him - imagine how he will spray us! Skunks can spray their musk up to 15 feet. We don't want to poison him. So we are not sure what options are available.

A quick search tells us that:

1. We may have to remove the self feeder for the cats, and start feeding them twice a day. The skunk thinks this is a buffet and we don't want the whole family moving in.
2. Place cat food up high. Skunks are terrible climbers and won't be able to climb up to the shelf. Apparently they have no issues climbing hay bales though.
3. My guess is since it is April, she is looking for a place to have her young. So we need to vacate her before that happens!
4. A loud radio can deter them, they don't like lights and noise as it doesn't feel safe. (apparently our quiet dark barn was perfect)
5. Coffee cans with holes poked in the sides full of mothballs. Tight fitting lid will keep cats from eating it.
6. Human urine. Yup - my better half is going to love that one. Apparently it is a deterrent. I don't blame them. It would deter me too.
7. Our grain is going to have to find a new home in a sealed bin, as right now it is a tasty skunk treat.

I suppose if we try all of this, we may be successful. The tricky part will be doing so without the dogs getting sprayed! For now, I will continue to open the barn door with caution.