Poultry Update

Whew, what an exhausting week. I have been up late at night and up early in the morning and the work doesn't stop anywhere in between.

We found a new farm where we can get milk this week though and it's more convenient... right on my way home from work. We've been using raw milk for quite some time now and at this point I don't like the flavor of the pasturized milk you get in the store. Spoiled I guess. Lots of people talk about the benefits of raw milk, but I just like the taste.

Well our duckies and chickies are getting bigger. I took a few pictures to show their progress. I know for those who raise chickens and ducks this sounds crazy, but it is fun when they are little to show their progress. They grow so quickly it seems every day I go in there, they are 1/2 inch taller... not quite that fast but they do put on weight rapidly.

You can see the feathers are developing on their little wings and the size difference between the (yellow) meat birds and the (red) laying hens. The little Rhode Island Reds have beautiful coloration and their little wings have a pattern.

If their feet are any indication like with puppies. These guys are gonna be big boys. We always order roosters for meat birds because the meat is much leaner and they are larger. Look at that future drumstick :)

side by side comparison (last week, below)

The ducks are growing now. Instead of little piles of fluff, they are heavy now. We have one we call "knot head" for one thing he has a knot on top of his head... and another he picks on his friends. When we pinioned the Muskovys he wouldn't leave them alone... kept pecking at their poor little stubby wings anywhere there was a little blood he was at it.

Ducks are so dirty.... yuck. I'll be glad when they are outside feeding the "lawn" instead of having to clean up after them twice a day.

This weekend we'll be enlarging their living space considerably. They are in need of more space now that they are getting bigger and requiring a little cooler temperature. As you can see the chicks are just about filling their little space right up. It's been quite cool at night the past few days, so they are taking advantage of the closeness to keep toasty. We have heat lamps in there too, but it's hard to requlate the temperature because it gets colder just before dawn.

The newer pictures were taken about 6am and they are still a little huddled for warmth, but if I lower the lamp, by the end of the day their trying to get away from the heat. They seem to know what to do to stay warm, so I'm not too worried about them.

Hope you have a happy Thursday!

II Samuel 22:33 "God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect."

Last night in prayer meeting our pastor spoke on the power of God and how far beyond our comprehension His power is. It was such a blessing to our hearts.

This hymn was written by Louisa M. R. Stead in 1882 after witnessing her husband drown.

This is when the power of God becomes visible... when His people trust Him and He holds them up through great trials so they are able to praise Him.

’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,

And to take Him at His Word;

Just to rest upon His promise,

And to know, “Thus says the Lord!”

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!

How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er

Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!

for grace to trust Him more!

O how sweet to trust in Jesus,

Just to trust His cleansing blood;

And in simple faith to plunge me’

Neath the healing, cleansing flood!

Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,

Just from sin and self to cease;

Just from Jesus simply taking

Life and rest, and joy and peace.

I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,

Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;

And I know that Thou art with me,

Wilt be with me to the end.