So yesterday, I wrote a post on our homestead... wait - what day is it?
Oh, so the post was 5 days ago!
That can't be right!
Candled egg - the process of shining a light through the shell to see if the egg is viable
Well, I guess I have a lot to tell you then!
The ducklings are growing daily. Today we realised they are too big for their home and we now have to make a new one for them. They're not big enough to go outside yet - actually, the reason is that they can't regulate their temperature yet because their feathers are still coming in, but it won't be too long now.
Just hatched
Newborn ducklings
The chicks, though they are growing, are not growing as fast as the ducklings and they can't go outside either - for the same reasons as the ducklings.
Chicks
Yesterday (ah, now I remember, that's where one of the days went) we went to our friends' house because the local sheep farmers were shearing their sheep. There's a great sense of community here, in rural France, the farmers ask to put their sheep on neighbours' land and the neighbours benefit from not having to cut the grass.
So, we went off, armed with a few builder's bags (heavy duty rubble sacks). We came away with 3 bags of fleece! Score!
Yes, I am mindful of the nursery rhyme 'Baa-Baa Black sheep, have you any wool?'
We came away with 3 bags full, and there's a black fleece in there as well!
We also came away with an old duck house, with heavy concrete food dishes that the ducks can't tip over!
Then we were taken on a mini-tour and discovered the shed the previous owners had built is going to be taken down and do we want/need any of it as it will be scrapped otherwise?
So, in return for a day's work, we get a substantial outbuilding, including metal bars for supports (that's why it's lasted 20+ years), hefty planks and roofing sheets!
We're going to make a date to fetch the shed/outbuilding and make it into another duck/chicken/goose house!
Up in the old barn, there are also a few doors and things that we can utilise - which are ours if we want them! Our friends are of the same mind as us, re-use, re-cycle and renovate as much as we can - not just to save money, but to keep useful things out of the landfill.
So, what are we going to do with the fleeces?
I hope to spin some of the better quality wool and use the rest in my garden - apparently it's great for mulch, slug and pest control and keeping down the weeds.
I can't wait to get started on all these projects, but for now, I have a flock of ducklings that need a bigger home!
Mum! It's a bit cramped in here!
