While Jason was away on a business trip, the children, my brother Adam, and I went to the Middleburg Livestock Auction. We were also accompanied by my friend Bernice and her two children. I was hoping to buy some Guinea birds. A bit of research told us that Guineas are fabulous bug eaters and can eradicate ticks from a property. We have ticks. We want Guineas. There were 20 Guineas up for bid. Some other lady insisted on getting them all! No matter what I bid she outbid me! She even tried to get the 18 fertile guinea eggs, but for some reason she gave up at $6.00. So we bought an incubator and got it all set up. We chalked it up to a homeschool science project and now we are expecting. We started the eggs on April 11, so May 1st is the big day! Or so we hope!
My friend Bernice was hoping to get "a" duckling at auction. She ended up with three bunnies and eight ducklings! Auction can be a "dangerous" shopping experience! Unfortunately four of her ducklings were not hardy enough to be sold on a cold day. Having four Runner ducklings left and knowing that Jason also has a fondness for ducks, she decided to make of gift of two of them to him when he returned from his trip. He was delighted..... 
They already follow him around! And its not a big surprise that they love water, no matter how much they are given they continually scoop it up in their beaks and then spit it all over themselves until it is all gone, then they holler for more! Jason loves his new little friends. We all do!
We have had the chickens since last year. A friend of a friend was getting rid of them, and we found it impossible to refuse the offer. I am so glad that we did because they have been a constant source of pleasure, and are very good layers! I have been trying to figure out what breed they most resemble. I suppose it is possible that they are a mix, but they seem to have the characteristics of the Standard Bantam Cochins. Hopefully that is what they are, because that breed is known for being good brooders. Apparently they make excellent mothers! We are hoping that one of them will decide to go broody. The little red A-frame inside the chicken coop (below) is our version of a broody box. They lay in it every day, and seem to contemplate the big decision.........
6 comments:
Hi, Amy! Saw you commented on Erin's blog! So nice to read all about what you & your family are up to! SO glad to read how content you are to be a wife & mother! Years ago, we too, were into homesteading-Christian Homesteading Movement. They are very primitive, so probably don't have a website. But they have a week long "school" that was really unique. Ask Erin!
Your home looks like a great place for kids!! I hope we can visit someday!
Oh and that pic of Jason with the ducks is really cute! :)
Hi again Amy. I noticed you left another message on my blog. I did not receive your email. How disappointing!! I cannot wait to hear more about your life and your children. Do you want to try and resent your message? Or you can post your email on my blog if you want. Somehow, someway we will connect soon. Until then...
Becky
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