The Feathered Menagerie
In the Brooder
- Jan 25, 2025
- 1
- 15
- 22
I've noticed a few other types of fowl owners on here, so joined to get occasional support or provide support if I can.
I'm running my sisters farm and been looking after ducks (runners & campbells, 4 generations), geese, quail (coturnix, 2 generations) and guinea fowl (lavendar, 3 generations) each day for a few years now, so work closely with the animals. It is a privilege to connect with them every day regardless of occasional challenges.
As you will all relate, keeping numerous animals (we have over 100), you need to wear every skill hat under the sun and be quick about it.
When illness or injury occurs, we use homeopathics, herbs and/or tissue salts - unless it is something dire, then it is a trip to the vet. We also use colloidal silver and the purple antiseptic spray. On rare occasion, if an animal has hidden an infection well, we resort to using avian antibiotics.
The animals are not for meat. Free range egg production only and other benefits are the transformed, highly fertile soil and aquatic ecosystems they swim in. My sister put in some good fencing when she first set up. A few years ago she had a few tragic visits from a spotted quoll so had to improve the security. Now the most common predators are white-bellied sea eagles, black-breasted buzzards, wedge-tail eagles and hawks by day, then the large masked owl by night. We get the tawny frogmouth owl sometimes but I don't see them threatening the livestock. The predators are clever, quick and brazen. We also get the goannas and golden lace monitors by day, in the warmer weather - but they are usually after eggs - unless they are cornered and attacked by an overprotective duck! The smaller of these reptiles can squeeze through fence mesh measuring 5cm by 7cm (1.95 x 2.75 inches), by squeezing sideways. The owl can cleverly drop down and fly back up through a strip gap measuring approximately 15cm (5.9 inches).
Over the time with close observation, I've learned from the animals - their culture, the subtle and easily overlooked non-verbal communication, the red flag warnings, their personal preferences, subtle signs that segregation is needed and more, but I am still learning and look forward to being guided by other fowl owners.
I will post a few photos soon.
All the best with your flocks.
I'm running my sisters farm and been looking after ducks (runners & campbells, 4 generations), geese, quail (coturnix, 2 generations) and guinea fowl (lavendar, 3 generations) each day for a few years now, so work closely with the animals. It is a privilege to connect with them every day regardless of occasional challenges.
As you will all relate, keeping numerous animals (we have over 100), you need to wear every skill hat under the sun and be quick about it.
When illness or injury occurs, we use homeopathics, herbs and/or tissue salts - unless it is something dire, then it is a trip to the vet. We also use colloidal silver and the purple antiseptic spray. On rare occasion, if an animal has hidden an infection well, we resort to using avian antibiotics.
The animals are not for meat. Free range egg production only and other benefits are the transformed, highly fertile soil and aquatic ecosystems they swim in. My sister put in some good fencing when she first set up. A few years ago she had a few tragic visits from a spotted quoll so had to improve the security. Now the most common predators are white-bellied sea eagles, black-breasted buzzards, wedge-tail eagles and hawks by day, then the large masked owl by night. We get the tawny frogmouth owl sometimes but I don't see them threatening the livestock. The predators are clever, quick and brazen. We also get the goannas and golden lace monitors by day, in the warmer weather - but they are usually after eggs - unless they are cornered and attacked by an overprotective duck! The smaller of these reptiles can squeeze through fence mesh measuring 5cm by 7cm (1.95 x 2.75 inches), by squeezing sideways. The owl can cleverly drop down and fly back up through a strip gap measuring approximately 15cm (5.9 inches).
Over the time with close observation, I've learned from the animals - their culture, the subtle and easily overlooked non-verbal communication, the red flag warnings, their personal preferences, subtle signs that segregation is needed and more, but I am still learning and look forward to being guided by other fowl owners.
I will post a few photos soon.
All the best with your flocks.
Glad you joined.
