Baby duck sighting!!

I went out to feed the ducks, all of which were sitting over by and on top of their new house. As I opened the cooler I looked left and there sat mama with all her new babies. I couldn't get close enough to count them. I am not sure if she's letting them swim yet, they seemed to be just sitting and looking at the water. The other guys swam over but didn't get too close either and one stayed on his new house which they all obviously like.

From duck "trap" to duck house

Since we decided to keep some of the ducks I was concerned that they didn't have any place to get in out of the weather. They use to stay in the barn but we came in and took that over so.... My sweet man "provider" that he is provided the duckies with a nice new house. There is even a divided nesting area in the back. You see ducks do not like to nest near each other. I think this one will be sufficient for awhile, not sure what will happen when mama hatches out the ones she's laying on. We set up coolers with feed and scratch in them for feeding. It only took one time and they are hanging out morning and evening by the coolers. I got up early this morning and looked over and said ha! I got out before the ducks then I saw streams of water in the pond they were headed over to the coolers. I'd say they are pretty happy campers. So am I. Now we can have our bug and mosquito eaters and all live happily together. And hey if they lay eggs in those nests I'm sure Vince will be happy to eat them.

Ah HA!!!!!

It wasn't enough that the ducks were eating all the tomatoes now I see Rory has joined them. She started out picking out the nice pretty cherry tomatoes only the red ones. Now I see she's decided to eat green tomatoes and any size. Maybe she watched the ducks and thought she'd give them a try. Usually she eats them on the spot but occasionally we'll see her slinking off to the deck with one in her mouth to eat in private. Crazy dog!!!!

Speaking of ducks, well some of them had to go. We caught as many as we could and gave them to a nice man with a nice big pond. We found a way to make peace with the rest of them . . . feed them. Yes I said feed them. We thought if we take food out to the pond where they hang out they would stay away from the chicken feeder. So far it's working pretty well. This morning they were all standing by the edge of the pond waiting for breakfast. After they eat they swim and preen themselves all morning.
Hey did you know that mama duck controls how long the babies stay in the water. Left to themselves they would stay in way too long, get soaked, chilled and die. Mama knows when they've had enough and makes them get out. Isn't that cool!!!
And by the way we have a mama sitting on 11 eggs right now. Eleven more ducks!!!! What are we going to do with all these ducks?????

Annie finally gets to swim

Since the pasture isn't fenced and it is next to a road we haven't let the dogs run outside the yard. Today I decided to give them a bath so Rory was first and she really should be bald at this point but it just keeps on coming. We have a "share the hair" thing in this house. She's dry and I made her stay in the house cause she tends to lose focus when we're out. Annie on the other hand is extremely focused and all you have to do it have her ball and she's completely yours. We walked her out towards the pond which is only yards from the house and as we got closer she kept looking at it (ball in her mouth) as if she was thinking "cool, the pond fairy must have come last night." Actually, it was almost as though she didn't really believe it was there. Of course she was her usual obedient self and stayed with us until Vince threw her ball in the water then she swam and did something out of the ordinary, she passed up her ball twice. She just kept swimming in a big circle as though it felt sooooo good. We threw the ball in a few more time and then . . . the ducks came. All thirteen that are left came swimming around the bend as though they wanted to play too. Pretty sure they were just looking for a handout. Annie swam past them but kept looking at them. We're not sure if she wanted to eat them or just hang out but we thought it was better to bring her in. She came nicely and walked home to a nice cold shower. She is resting peacefully now dreaming of her ball and the pond. Rory is pouting I think she knows Annie went somewhere and she didn't get to go. Now the trick will be to keep Annie out of the pond!!!

Making the neighbors happy!!

Papa is making friends with the neighbors by cutting the tall grass in the pasture. He's having a blast doing it. He also thinks the tractor was made to run on the NASCAR track. Meanwhile I'm just having a blast with the goats. We gave the girls their last shots this morning and since I introduced them to black oil sunflower seed they don't even notice the shot. Of course Basil is still looking for a cookie. She loves cookies. Oh yea and those cute little ducks are still being very annoying. They trash the cats food and water constantly. I have to keep an eye out and scare them off when they come around. I hate it cause they are good to have around. Maybe we can figure something out eventually.