tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post1517742509326268716..comments2024-03-18T22:33:57.339-04:00Comments on 5 Acres & A Dream: Pigs Don't Need Mud & Other Sounds-GoodismsLeighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-8155447921868037742015-09-16T22:21:36.394-04:002015-09-16T22:21:36.394-04:00I have to agree and I find I'm much more likel...I have to agree and I find I'm much more likely to take the advice of someone who is actually doing the thing I'm researching. I try to be careful to qualify things I blog about in terms of research or experience. It's interesting to discover how often the research doesn't match my reality!Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-34275165841224981152015-09-16T22:19:46.494-04:002015-09-16T22:19:46.494-04:00Slop & glop, I like that. :)
It's funny...Slop & glop, I like that. :) <br /><br />It's funny because I never would have considered ducks if I hadn't been offered muscovies. But they seem like a really good choice for any homestead. Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-86666169427928856662015-09-16T09:33:30.729-04:002015-09-16T09:33:30.729-04:00This post is SO true, and you're a wise woman ...This post is SO true, and you're a wise woman to realize this. I know it's true of me -- I believe readily the things I'm set already to believe. I consider myself an "expert" if I've read about it. Experience is the true teacher. How many of us have real, long-term experience in something? Usually we only know one or two subjects that well. Thanks for the reminder, and I'm glad your animals are happy :)M.K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/09205619221345704689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-45077001186414266332015-09-16T01:07:44.783-04:002015-09-16T01:07:44.783-04:00My pigs have always enjoyed a wallow. Conversely, ...My pigs have always enjoyed a wallow. Conversely, they enjoy a dry spot, especially for their bed. So they muck about in their wallow off and on during the day, but always spend plenty of time in the dry pasture area too. Like yours, my wallow doesn't normally cause a stench. The only odor I've had from my pigs is when they spread their wet food ("mom's famous slop & glop") about and leave it on the dirt. But since I've been encouraging my hens to clean up after the pigs' sloppy dining habits, I haven't had any odor problems at all. Apparently it's the spoiled food that causes the smell, especially if the soil is wet or muddy. <br /><br />At the moment I only have two Muscovy ducks, but I can say that they do indeed like water. Not as fervent about it as other ducks, but they appreciate and use a "pond". Like you, I was told that muscovies were tree ducks, not water ducks. I guess mine never read their owner's manual because I've never seen them go up into a tree not even once and they use my big koi pond several times a day. They usually float about in the pond at least once a day. Whenever I offer them food I always provide a pan of water. They will eat a few billfuls of food then "rinse" their bills in the water. Repeat, until all the food they wish to eat is consumed. Su Bahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09125127467859054156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-63892352613490720152015-09-15T21:49:54.139-04:002015-09-15T21:49:54.139-04:00That's funny! And it's true about critters...That's funny! And it's true about critters educating their humans. Right now I have a doe who is trying to train me to give them their evening feed ration at 2 pm. Regular feeding time is 4:30 or 5! And she hollers the entire time. I'm guessing that even if she got her way she'd still expect to be fed again at the regular time. :)Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-37663021265070495802015-09-15T21:47:56.168-04:002015-09-15T21:47:56.168-04:00LOL, I like that! It's funny but it brings it ...LOL, I like that! It's funny but it brings it into perspective, which we need quite often. Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-67435358275245537662015-09-15T21:47:02.940-04:002015-09-15T21:47:02.940-04:00Izzy, thank you! My pigs are black so it never occ...Izzy, thank you! My pigs are black so it never occurred to me about sunburn. But they do have mud, and shade, so that makes us all happy. Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-8146472095291773572015-09-15T09:58:51.570-04:002015-09-15T09:58:51.570-04:00Leigh
Our ducks (5) loved water. We placed a ki...Leigh <br /><br />Our ducks (5) loved water. We placed a kiddie pool in the ground, added a few small boulders so they could get out easily, and filled the pool with clean water daily. The ducks loved that pool, and yelled when you didn't move fast enough to put fresh water in.<br />I say the animal will educate his/her owner on their needs.Sandy Livesayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06183449816586125720noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-29318560459897713262015-09-15T09:44:09.489-04:002015-09-15T09:44:09.489-04:00Whenever someone tells me an animal doesn't ne...Whenever someone tells me an animal doesn't need something, I tell them humans don't need windows.Quinnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17292701509476856967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-4989770502753611792015-09-15T06:38:26.697-04:002015-09-15T06:38:26.697-04:00My pigs are happiest with their mud holes. It'...My pigs are happiest with their mud holes. It's how they cool down on hot summer days and also how they keep bugs off of them by caking on the mud. Did you know pigs can actually get sunburned? I don't know where I heard or read that, but after noticing you can see their skin through their coarse hair, I would tend to agree.<br /><br />Love your blog!Izzyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07750628123685151713noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-36799786610912652522015-09-15T06:31:12.065-04:002015-09-15T06:31:12.065-04:00Good example. Sadly, that trend toward replacing p...Good example. Sadly, that trend toward replacing practical knowledge and common sense with a piece of paper (college degree) has gone on for so long that our culture has truly been dumbed down in a very real way. I realize most folks wouldn't understand that, however. It takes making nature a part of one's day-to-day existence that really brings that truth home. Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-14517168396693649822015-09-15T06:21:22.106-04:002015-09-15T06:21:22.106-04:00I think that is an important lost truth. Now, we s...I think that is an important lost truth. Now, we serve technology. The result of this is all the environmental problems we now recognize and want to correct. The illusion is that the cause of our problems can also fix them. From what I've observed, it only makes them worse. Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-18924302763297193952015-09-15T05:10:16.818-04:002015-09-15T05:10:16.818-04:00Your comment.... Expertise is not necessarily the ...Your comment.... Expertise is not necessarily the same as Experience....truer words have never been spoken. As a farm animal rescue/sanctuary...we rescued a pot belly pig 5 years ago. At that time her age was "guessed" to be about 10 years old. In looking at the "experts" information on PB pigs, we found that the " normal lifespan of a PB pig is 9 to 10 years" Well, our little Tulip has exceeded that....if they guessed her age correctly, she is now 15 years old. Although she doesn't roam around as much as she did once we got her healthy, she is healthy and seems to be happy...eating and napping the days away. I tend to lean more towards the experienced than the experts. Heavens Door Acreshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12614854227889527035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-65721351908860071812015-09-15T04:27:49.213-04:002015-09-15T04:27:49.213-04:00So true, about our role being to serve creation. M...So true, about our role being to serve creation. Many indigenous cultures lived for generations like that too.Chris https://www.blogger.com/profile/13715819899708384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-12806743403118220072015-09-15T04:18:24.040-04:002015-09-15T04:18:24.040-04:00Liz, very good point about information. And for as...Liz, very good point about information. And for as convenient as the internet has made information, there is more nonsense out there than ever before. Having to sift through it for answers is a job of work!Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-33035738756857930882015-09-15T02:37:49.545-04:002015-09-15T02:37:49.545-04:00Yes, I just realised that is how I research things...Yes, I just realised that is how I research things too, I think its an unconscious filter so you don't have to process ALL the information. I don't know which is worse, biased research or none at all! Both ways you have to learn on the job... And I know that from experience!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12874273438983052621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-83237325570367960402015-09-14T21:57:34.971-04:002015-09-14T21:57:34.971-04:00I confess to being sick and tired of the religion ...I confess to being sick and tired of the religion of "science". I so much prefer common sense and practical experience! Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-55649666326381338762015-09-14T21:55:51.940-04:002015-09-14T21:55:51.940-04:00Tractors need attention too. :) From what I'm ...Tractors need attention too. :) From what I'm reading and experiencing, Muscovies are a really great duck for a homestead. Ours are just getting used to us and our routine, but we're really enjoying them. And they are supposed to be 5-star at eating bugs (will have to report on that one later, after they've had a chance to make a difference in the bug population. )Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-61679203494652987402015-09-14T21:46:47.592-04:002015-09-14T21:46:47.592-04:00There are lots of things that aren't "sci...There are lots of things that aren't "scientifically necessary" for survival but my whole reason for raising my animals myself is so that I can ensure their happiness. There is a reason for the saying "happier than a pig in mud"! Mud also helps tremendously in keeping pigs cool, and while ducks don't have to have water to swim in, they are much happier. We as humans can live in an 8x8 cinder block room and survive, but I should think we are all a little happier with trees and sunshine! :)Mama Messhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09541998872594946053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-48483310815322014552015-09-14T21:35:59.935-04:002015-09-14T21:35:59.935-04:00The experience of others is good, but I agree that...The experience of others is good, but I agree that personal experience is so much better. One tidbit that was passed on to me was that chickens kept with ducks won't lay. The chickens stopped laying for awhile, but have resumed laying as before. Even so, we are working on a separate area for the ducks. They do need their own space away from the chicken drama. <br /><br />As stewards, I believe it is our job to serve creation and strive for balance. I believe that's how humans are meant to fit in. :)Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-66243803383003354392015-09-14T21:29:58.187-04:002015-09-14T21:29:58.187-04:00I'm sorry for getting to you so late, I was on...I'm sorry for getting to you so late, I was on the tractor. I have got a bustle of bugs around here, maybe I need some muscovies, too!<br />Farmer Barbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07596672416236302171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-60879857397815754862015-09-14T21:17:40.139-04:002015-09-14T21:17:40.139-04:00Candace, thank you! Brilliant system you worked ou...Candace, thank you! Brilliant system you worked out, I can't wait to show it to Dan. We've been discussing a better set-up for the ducks, including location, duck house, and water. Your's looks very adaptable for us too. Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-52884526494162813862015-09-14T21:16:35.370-04:002015-09-14T21:16:35.370-04:00Lynda, thank you for that! The misting idea is act...Lynda, thank you for that! The misting idea is actually pretty good, although a mud hole is a little easier for our situation. I do notice that our pigs use the wallows less in cool weather, but in summer they demand them!Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-26432385592704330182015-09-14T21:15:16.485-04:002015-09-14T21:15:16.485-04:00I'm guessing there are a lot of things animals...I'm guessing there are a lot of things animals can live without, but as a steward, I just like seeing them happy. :)<br /><br />That's too funny about your dogs and the kiddie pool. There are actually a lot of uses for those things!Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-13694405259844264192015-09-14T19:49:59.026-04:002015-09-14T19:49:59.026-04:00I wanted to mention when you first got the ducks, ...I wanted to mention when you first got the ducks, while they may not require a large body of permanent water, Muscovies, do appreciate some water. I've not owned them myself, but knew a local who did and they kept a paddling pool just for them.<br /><br />Somewhat like your pigs, if you hadn't supplied the paddling pool, the ducks would have attempted to fowl the water supply of the chickens, or wherever they could find an open water supply. That's what the local I knew told me. So getting the paddling pool, was an intervention to worse problems I think.<br /><br />I didn't want to say anything about it at the time though, because I haven't personally kept them and having no experience, I was relying on a single testimony, which could've been wrong. While I'm sharing advice from third parties though - they did recommend not housing the chickens with the ducks permanently. Simply because it made the accommodations for the chickens, a lot more unpleasant.<br /><br />In their experience, ducks were a lot more messy and could fowl a clean abode quicker, than twice as many chickens could. The only reason they kept their Muscovy with the chickens, is because its companion had died and it was cruel to keep it alone.<br /><br />It is completely true that Muscovies are more forgiving than any other duck. They are more tame, have less need of water, and can fit into a domestic environment with other livestock, more readily. But at the end of the day, they're still ducks and they're always going to be happier (and healthier) doing what ducks were designed to do.<br /><br />Just as pigs were made for mud! :)<br /><br />An astute steward, will notice this and make accommodations. I'm glad you came to your own conclusions about what makes your ducks happiest, in this regard. Honouring another critters creation, is honouring our own. :)Chris https://www.blogger.com/profile/13715819899708384147noreply@blogger.com