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Sunday, February 17, 2013

Chickens and Ducks

My mom has been busy setting up all her chickens in breeding pens, so she can gather hatching eggs. A lot goes into her decision on which birds get to go into a breeding pen. She selects the birds with the best body type, comb, and markings for their breed and color pattern. She raises several varieties of heritage breeds, but the Blue Laced Red Wyandottes are my favorite.  Not only are they gorgeous, but they are some of her best layers, producing lovely large brown eggs.
I couldn't resist the chance to snap pictures of them while they can't run away, but they still didn't offer to strike a pose : )



Such beautiful lacing. The pictures just don't do them justice.

We had hawks and racoons steal several of our Welsh Harlequin ducks. We are down to only 1 drake and 3 ducks.  So I penned them up.
They don't like to pose either.

I gave them a large pan for water, pulled the hose over to fill their pan. Returned the hose and when I got back, this is what I saw.
They don't call them waterfowl for nothing.
Hopefully all our pan washing will be rewarded with ducklings.
I can't wait.

Kimberly


5 comments:

Sarah said...

Your chickens are beautiful! We had chickens for years, and I really miss them. Hopefully once I am married I will have a chance to get some. : ) Your duck are lovely too! I am sorry to hear that you lost some. Hawks are a dreadful hunter. We lost a few chickens to hawks.

Kara said...

I've never even considered whether a chicken looked beautiful or not before. But your pictures have changed all that! :) They truly are incredible-looking creatures. Thanks for sharing! :)

An At Home Daughter said...

Sara- I hope you do get the chance get more chickens. It's so nice to always have a supply of fresh, free range eggs. Plus they have the added bonus of manure for the garden.
Yes, the hawks are horrible. They think are place is a feeding trough.

Kimberly

An At Home Daughter said...

Kara- There are so many varieties of beautiful chickens. Most people when you say "chicken" think of a white, brown, yellow or barred chicken and believe that's all there is. But there are many heritage breeds of chickens that are gorgeous. They come in all sizes, colors, and lay different colored eggs.

Kimberly

. said...

Awwww, reminds me of the ducks we used to have. so cute! :)