domestic fowl keeping changes from year to year and the New Year is a great prison term to reflect on the past seasons and program for what ’s coming . Here are a few goal from this writer ’s farm that can be adapted to a backyard flock .
1. Focus on Breeding Geese
With more than a dozen goof of various breeds , it is certainly dependable to say that I am a goose steward . But I have always want to focus on preserving certain stock of geese , rare and heritage breed that need conservation . Up until now , we have kept geese for their power as guardians and their large ballock , but we have not done any breeding on our small farm .
Every winter , part of the fun is browse through hatchery catalogs and website , plunk out what breed to get for the coming spring . This twelvemonth as one of my poultry - keeping goals is to expand my keeping of a few specific breeds , buy sexed females , and using only the safe farm to ensure quality stock . With a right ratio of male to female birds of the same strain , I can start breeding my own line of these razz and hopefully aid maintain their breed ’s integrity . In special , I ’m interested in moreDewlap ToulouseandRoman Tuftedgeese .
2. Add More Ducks
Despite our large plenty of goose and more than two twelve chickens , we have very fewduckson our farm . It is a disgrace because duck are dependable egg layers that produce even in wintertime . They are also quite square and have amazingly friendly and curious personalities .
So , continuing with our domestic fowl retention , this class we ’d like to add together various breeds of ducks to the great deal , focusing on types that are serious for egg laying . Our chicken do a great line of allow us with eggs , but their product slow up down in the winter months , and I do n’t wish doing too much in the manner of auxiliary lighting . A lot of femaleRunnerducks ought to aid us keep up with the demand for testis and also take in some good amusement as they make their way around the barnyard .
3. Complete a Pond
Our bragging barnyard project and another of our poultry - restrain goals is having a pool dug for our prop . This pond is part for irrigation use , but it will be just off the back side of the b in easy walking distance for our bird . The goose will have it off being capable to bathe in a space big than a stock trough , and being able-bodied to swim during conjugation season should increase their fertility rates .
4. Use More Eggs in the Kitchen
We use many of the eggs that we collect for breakfast and dinner party , cause lots of quiches and omelet and custard . But as one of my resolve , I want to expand my culinary ballock apparent horizon and start trying some more strange egg - based formula . This will definitely include alimentary paste , and hopefully many more desserts .
The end of every year is to keep the birds happy and healthy , continue being a productive homestead and delight the company of the animals that we keep .
Kirsten Lie-Nielsen
Kirsten Lie-Nielsen
