Using sound judgment to be more self-reliant.
I read a permaculture article that said slug issues in the garden weren’t due to too many slugs, but to a lack of ducks. That’s what triggered the purchase of the Duck Patrol. Some of you know our duckies from other posts or their Instagram feed. In this article, we’ll talk specifically about using duck pest control in the garden. We’ll share why we chose the breed that we did, how to train your ducks, and tips for managing your pest control crew.
Since our little crew of duckies has become a big part of our lives, I wanted to formally introduce them and tell a little about their story. We’ll also use this page to answer some basic duck questions, and share some duck videos for those who need more duckie time.
Why did the chicken cross the road? To get to the pile of interesting scraps on the other side of the road, of course! Commercial producers feed a highly controlled diet to their birds, and there are good reasons for that. Backyard hobbyists and homesteaders love to give treats to their girls. We’ll talk about what to feed chickens and what not to feed chickens to keep your flock happy and healthy….
I recently had the pleasure of reading “The Small-Scale Poultry Flock – An all natural approach to raising chickens and other fowl for home and market growers” by Harvey Ussery. This book is overflowing with detailed information on every aspect of natural poultry care. It’s a worthwhile investment for new poultry people and experienced growers alike. This is not a “pet chicken” book, but a practical manual grounded in decades of experience.
Homestead geese are not the first animals that come to mind when you consider homestead livestock. That award usually goes to backyard chickens, or dairy goats with the occasional pastured pig thrown in. But geese deserve to be fourth on that list in my opinion. Geese are entertainment, lawn control, homestead guardians that also happen to taste pretty darn good.
Goose fat is prized among top chefs, and many a hawk or fox has been scared away from a chicken dinner by the threatening wing span of an angry goose. You might share that opinion if you encountered an aggressive goose in childhood (or adulthood for that matter).
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