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| My Rooster, Lazarus. |
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| The coop just after it was built. |
You can read about our farm's history at http://www.crazyacres3.blogspot.com/.
The background of my animals is shorter:
In June 2011, 10 little ducklings of 4 breeds came home from a hatchery. They were brooded up, but at around 2 weeks of age, a duckling was found dead in the brooder. A second duckling died right before our very eyes of a heartattack. We concluded the first one must have died of a heartattack, too. then by 3 weeks of age, another heartattack killed a duckling, and we think worms killed another (Molly's sister). Then a plague came through. A little 3 week old Black Cayuga female got a Staph infection. Staph swept through our duck flocks, killing 15 young ducks altogether (12 Muscovies; 3 Mallards (2 Cayugas and 1 Pekin)). Molly, George, and Sullivan (who was then assumed a female, and called 'Gracie') were the last living mallard type ducks. They are very hardy and are healthy. So now I'm faced with seeking mates for these ducks. I found Emily at the Madoc fair, along with Sally. I picked Emily because (1 her Rust coloring, and (2 She reminded me of Sullivan. I picked Sally to breed George to, so we can have lean meat ducks.
I built the Chicken Coop with a bucket of nails and a pile of scrap lumber. It wasn't built in the same location as it sits now, because it's former spot was far to far away. I bought Lazarus (1), Mary and Martha at the Madoc fair as well, and put them in the coop. Later, the three were put in a cage, and the Coop was transported, refoundated, and reinforced. That took about a week. Lazarus fell ill during that time and died before he ever got a chance to see the new Coop. Lazarus (2), Annie, Becky, and Nelly were purchased locally and introduced to the old hens (Mary & Martha) and their new home.They have the future of being Broodhens, and are a new breed.
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| Becky |
