I have decided that we need to rethink our poultry plans. The chicken and cockerels are doing fine. They seem happy and productive and cover their own keep through the sale of eggs. The ducks on the other hand pose a bit of a problem.
their peak this summer we had 29 of them wandering around the garden. Two clutches were hatched and they proved to be very good mothers in looking after their offspring. Seven were bartered with friends, seven found their way into the freezer, and seven await this fate when they are large enough. They are cute ducklings, inquisitive and pretty, and as meat birds have a pleasant taste and are very lean. The Muscoveys are not the problem.
The Welsh Harlequin Ducks are the problem. We hatched seven of these from eggs this spring and at first they met expectations. They were very pretty and it was very pleasant to watch them in the garden and, later, in the woodland. They have a lovely light colouring which is particularly easy for birds of prey to see from a great height. This coupled with their small weak frame make them simply waddling prey. Over the summer we have lost 5 to hawks and buzzards.
The large goshawk in the lower wood has had his share and it has become depressing to see the remains when we check them in at night. It seems that this lack of guile and inbuilt attraction for birds of prey is one of the main reasons that this species is endangered and was nearly extinct.
It is clear that these ducks are less farm stock and more garden pets. Therefore they have had to go. The remaining two, hopefully a breeding pair, have gone to a wonderful garden owned by our neighbour. Hopefully the hawks won't follow them there.
I have decided small, pretty birds are not for us. We need things which can fight back. Large, ugly birds with attitude seem to fit our specifications - turkeys, I wonder.
The Muscoveys have proven themselves very productive and at
their peak this summer we had 29 of them wandering around the garden. Two clutches were hatched and they proved to be very good mothers in looking after their offspring. Seven were bartered with friends, seven found their way into the freezer, and seven await this fate when they are large enough. They are cute ducklings, inquisitive and pretty, and as meat birds have a pleasant taste and are very lean. The Muscoveys are not the problem.
The large goshawk in the lower wood has had his share and it has become depressing to see the remains when we check them in at night. It seems that this lack of guile and inbuilt attraction for birds of prey is one of the main reasons that this species is endangered and was nearly extinct.It is clear that these ducks are less farm stock and more garden pets. Therefore they have had to go. The remaining two, hopefully a breeding pair, have gone to a wonderful garden owned by our neighbour. Hopefully the hawks won't follow them there.
I have decided small, pretty birds are not for us. We need things which can fight back. Large, ugly birds with attitude seem to fit our specifications - turkeys, I wonder.
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