Our Poultry and Fowl ~
We have a large selection of birds around the farm whom all serve a purpose. These include Chickens, Guineas, Ducks, and Geese. Almost everyone has free-range of the farm during the day, and they all get locked up in "Fort Knox" at night to protect them from wild critters in the woods that would just love a fresh meal. "Fort Knox" consists of a total of almost 1950 square feet of aviary space subdivided by breed, and over 260 square feet of indoor coop space. It is completely reinforced to help prevent any break-ins from the raccoons, opossums, skunks, fox, coyotes, hawks, and owls that share the woods.
Our chickens are mostly dual-purpose mixed breeds, but we also have some Black Australorps, and Buff Orpingtons. They lay some beautiful brown eggs, and the extra roosters provide a good meal as well. We have some Blue Light Brown Dutch Bantams, some Silkies, and a Polish Top Hat on the smaller end of the scale. Our newest project consists of the Silk Tops. They are a cross between a Polish Top Hat and a Silkie. The first generation is complete, and we are excited to see how the second crossing will turn out. They are some very cute looking birds.
We currently have 12 Guinea Fowl that keep our property quite devoid of undesireable pests including: snakes, spiders, ticks, and Japanese beetles among others. It is quite amusing to watch the antics that these "watch dogs" employ on a daily basis. You haven't eaten an egg until you have enjoyed a guinea egg. Yummy.
The Muscovy Ducks are the most fun ducks we have ever had. They have so much personality, and love to be near you. The make their little hissing noise and wag their tails when you approach them. They are just like little two legged dogs. Duck eggs are excellent for baking, and everything turns out so much moister and rises even more. They do an excellent job of slug, fly, and mosquito control. There is nothing cuter than watching the babies catching knats in the grass.
The Pilgrim Geese are the largest of our birds. They look just stately when they are making their laps around our property mowing and fertilizing the grass at the same time. They are always on high alert, and seem to help keep the hawks at bay. It is hard to not get attached to their little goslings each spring. We just love those little balls of fluff.
The Turkeys are beautiful birds. They are a shiny jet black with some gray trim. We named them Tom and Tiki. Tom just loves to strutt his stuff all around the farmyard. Everyone finds his color changes completely amusing. He can turn his head, snood, and neck from white, to blue to red in a matter of minutes. He is definitely letting everyone know that he is now the kind of the barnyard.
Our chickens are mostly dual-purpose mixed breeds, but we also have some Black Australorps, and Buff Orpingtons. They lay some beautiful brown eggs, and the extra roosters provide a good meal as well. We have some Blue Light Brown Dutch Bantams, some Silkies, and a Polish Top Hat on the smaller end of the scale. Our newest project consists of the Silk Tops. They are a cross between a Polish Top Hat and a Silkie. The first generation is complete, and we are excited to see how the second crossing will turn out. They are some very cute looking birds.
We currently have 12 Guinea Fowl that keep our property quite devoid of undesireable pests including: snakes, spiders, ticks, and Japanese beetles among others. It is quite amusing to watch the antics that these "watch dogs" employ on a daily basis. You haven't eaten an egg until you have enjoyed a guinea egg. Yummy.
The Muscovy Ducks are the most fun ducks we have ever had. They have so much personality, and love to be near you. The make their little hissing noise and wag their tails when you approach them. They are just like little two legged dogs. Duck eggs are excellent for baking, and everything turns out so much moister and rises even more. They do an excellent job of slug, fly, and mosquito control. There is nothing cuter than watching the babies catching knats in the grass.
The Pilgrim Geese are the largest of our birds. They look just stately when they are making their laps around our property mowing and fertilizing the grass at the same time. They are always on high alert, and seem to help keep the hawks at bay. It is hard to not get attached to their little goslings each spring. We just love those little balls of fluff.
The Turkeys are beautiful birds. They are a shiny jet black with some gray trim. We named them Tom and Tiki. Tom just loves to strutt his stuff all around the farmyard. Everyone finds his color changes completely amusing. He can turn his head, snood, and neck from white, to blue to red in a matter of minutes. He is definitely letting everyone know that he is now the kind of the barnyard.