Duck, Cluck, Goose Urban Farms

08/29/2024

Please donate to this rescue if you can. Even $1 helps. Poor girl is lucky she was surrendered before she was killed. 😭

08/27/2024

Halfway there!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/oaA8YeT1qEK12AVc/?mibextid=oFDknk

04/13/2024

Quacky Feet Farm in Nauvoo, AL is hosting a FARMily Day on 04/27 and will have over 70 vendors, including me! I will be bringing some Dutch Hookbill ducklings, a few hb adults and hatching eggs, some Dewlap Toulouse ganders, and more! Hope to see you there! 🦆🪿🤠

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/FRA5GkquWwhVVpA3/?mibextid=xfxF2i

04/05/2024

Please don't rely on feed stores to tell you what to feed ducklings/goslings. Many of them are not experts and aren't trained to know the difference in their feeds.

https://www.facebook.com/share/3zYtLc2S76ecWJ6o/?mibextid=xfxF2i

11/13/2023

Went to the APA's 150th anniversary at the Ohio National's Poultry Show this weekend. I wish I could have stayed for the whole event but hotels were expensive. On Saturday, I dropped off 19 dutch hookbills that I pre-sold and a Dewlap Toulouse and picked up some birds to bring home. That took all day!

But I got a surprise when Connie Abelyn emailed me to tell me she entered some dutch hookbills to show, two of which were birds she bought from me this summer! The dusky hen and the grey hen in this video. She said one of the judges loved one of my hens in particular, but said she was still young and had more maturing to do, but to bring her next year bc if she had been older, she would have probably won best of show! 😮😍🥳🎉

Connie complimented me, said I have some really nice birds! Jokingly said I couldn't have any of them back. Lol. That made me feel so good to hear! Especially coming from Connie, who has been working with Dutch Hookbills for many years now and showing them.

I am so proud of how far along I have come while working with this breed, especially considering how my foundation stock was not of ideal quality birds. I still have a ways to go before I reach the Dutch SOP or the British SOP, but I will continue to strive towards that goal! One day I hope this breed is recognized by the APA!

06/10/2023

Not ☠️, just 😴 but for 15 seconds I went through all 5 stages of grief. 😑

04/13/2023

Such a sweet, happy ending for Gertrude. This is one reason proper nutrition is so important for ducklings. Soft Landings of Tennessee

04/13/2023

Special thank you to Kent for purchasing these six Dutch Hookbill babies. They were picked up this afternoon by her sister, Christopher, on her way to GA to drop them off. A few of them are Easter babies and the others hatched last night. 🥰

I hatched out 25 hookbill ducklings in total out of the first set of eggs, so I now have 19 hb ducklings left. More eggs are going into the incubator, so if I sell out of these babies, I should have another batch hatching out around this time next month.

So, if anyone else is interested in adding this critically endangered heritage breed to your flock, please DM me. Serious inquiries only, please.

Located in Chattanooga, TN

HB SR-$20ea
HB Drakelet-$15ea
HB Pullet-$35ea

I also have hatching 🥚 avail. $8/ea.


Priority Shipping via USPS avail for 🥚ONLY
Local pickup for the hatchlings, however I can meet within reason for fuel cost.

03/16/2023

VanBuskirk Heritage Farm this is the kind of quail you should get for your pen. 😉 How cute are these hats!?! 🥰

My little smiley boy 💙. The elephant hat’s a bit small, but it looked like he still enjoyed it 😂🐘. Finn’s going to be all festive for St. Patty’s day 🍀
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CpvJLmxjP42/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

03/14/2023

How do cooked duck eggs compare to chicken eggs cooked the same way?

I get commonly asked from customers who've only ever eaten chicken eggs how duck eggs (and goose eggs) compare in taste. I just happened to have all three, goose egg, duck egg, and chicken eggs, sitting on my counter and thought, I should cook all three together and make note of the differences in taste so I can give the most accurate comparison description.

Now, geese typically have a very short laying season and average 25-35 eggs per year, which is a shame because they are hands down my favorite fried egg! SO delicious!!!

The goose egg has a creamy, wonderful flavor. Both smooth and rich, a 'close your eyes after each bite and hum in pleasure' kind of good.

I forced myself to move on to taste the duck egg after 2 bites rather reluctantly. But, to give it credit, the duck is in itself, quite tasty. Similar in flavor to the goose egg, but not quite as rich and creamy. Still delicious, but my fork wanted to return to the goose egg.

I forced myself to move on to the chicken eggs. In comparison to the other two eggs, there's no creaminess and they were kind of bland in flavor. Would I describe them that way had I fried up chicken eggs to go with my sausage and toast? No, I would gobble them up and be satisfied with my meal. But given a choice on which egg I would prefer? The winner is pretty clear.

My ratings in choice of both flavor and texture:
#1 goose
#2 duck
#3 chicken

So what else makes them different?

Duck eggs are healthier than chicken eggs (unless you you are under a strict cholesterol monitored diet) because they have a higher percentage of the vitamins, minerals, omega 3s and fatty acids than chicken eggs.

https://www.fresheggsdaily.blog/2019/11/duck-eggs-vs-chicken-eggs-12-reasons.html?m=1

Did you know duck eggs are what most professional bakeries use in their baked goods instead of chicken eggs?

"The higher fat content in duck eggs make cakes rise higher, give meringues more volume and stability. You substitute one duck egg for every chicken egg (no more and no less) – and yet- the baked good WILL be more fluffy. You’ll also have richer sweets because of the larger yolk."

https://dalbyfarmcountrystore.com/duck-eggs-baking-better-chicken-eggs/ #:~:text=The%20higher%20fat%20content%20in,because%20of%20the%20larger%20yolk.

"My grocery store only carries chicken eggs so where can I find the others?"

If you can, buy direct from your local farmers or homesteaders. If they don't sell directly from their location, whether it's a large scale farm or more of a backyard farm like my own operation, you can often find them at your local farmers markets. However, you will usually pay more at markets due to vendor fees and taxes charged.

Smaller markets may not have specialty ethnic grocers, but in bigger towns and cities you can often find an Asian or Hispanic market grocery store. You are more likely to find duck eggs there than your chain grocery stores, but market demands will play a role in that. Some of the bigger grocers will carry duck, quail, and other "exotic" eggs, especially if they have a large ethnic food section.

Still having trouble finding the eggs you want? Metzer farms has a link to local egg farmers:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/local-duck-eggs.html

Bon appetit!

02/22/2023

These boys are the youngest growouts of that hatched at the beginning of January 2023, when most of the girls had already taken a short break from laying. Went from getting 1-3 eggs daily, to 4-5 eggs. Then suddenly I'm getting 15-17 every day! Needless to say, breeding season has officially launched into full swing and I will have availability soon if you want to incubate a batch of your own! 😅🦆🥚🥚🥚

02/22/2023

Had fun at ConNooga this past weekend! My friend that runs Soft Landings of Tennessee was one of the charity partners this year and I volunteered to help out. Ducks definitely stole the show! Home at Last Farm Sanctuary

01/06/2023

I shall not be held accountable for any reactions to this cuteness overload, like adding more ducks to your flock. But I mean, SOOOOO TINY!!! And it's so sweet! I watched it trying to shove up under the older ducklings for warmth. So I picked it up to put under my chin and it just kept on peep peeping those happy peeps. 🥰

Now, I had planned on hatching all the eggs I gathered, hoping to keep some and make the rest available...but only 5 hatched plus the one last egg still in the incubator currently hatching.

But don't think I can bear to let a single one go! 🥺

01/04/2023

When you want the best of the best, you have to be prepared to invest. The better the quality, the more valuable it is, thus the higher price tag.

Breeding.

POTENTIAL OWNER: How much are a pair of those ducks? I would love to start showing and breeding!!

BREEDER: $100 per pair

POTENTIAL OWNER: What?? That's way too expensive!!

BREEDER: What do you think would be a good price?

POTENTIAL OWNER: No more than 40. It doesn't cost that much to raise 2 ducks. You breeders are so over priced. You are ripping people off.

BREEDER: I am sorry you see it this way, why don't you try to breed quality birds yourself?

POTENTIAL OWNER: But I've never done it!

BREEDER: For FREE I can teach you how to do it, and in addition you will have the knowledge to do it again.

POTENTIAL OWNER: Perfect, thank you!

BREEDER: To start you will need a quality female(average minimal cost $50 and up). Also a quality male(average minimal cost $50 and up)
You may have to pay shipping to get breeder quality ducks. That is another $150.

POTENTIAL OWNER: That's insane. That's $250 for 2 ducks! That's more than what you're selling them for!!

BREEDER:Well, you can start with $100 worth of hatching eggs, hope they hatch, and hope you have a nice pair grow up from them?

POTENTIAL OWNER - That's still $100 😡

BREEDER- Once you have a quality start, to breed, you'll need a pen, shelter, bedding, incubators, brooders, feed, time, and the knowledge to hatch hundreds, feed those for 6 months, and cull for the best 10.
Raise those 10 a minimum of 6 months, hatch another 50 from those, feed those until grown, and cull again for the quality that you are looking for.

Year after next, and after about $1000 in feed costs, hours of time and dedication, you will be able to have the quality of the ones I am offering you for $100

POTENTIAL OWNER: But I don't have that much money or years to dedicate...
I'm looking cheaper

BREEDER: There is no cheaper unless you want hatchery stock or culls. For $100 you can buy these and already have a good start

POTENTIAL OWNER: Ummm .... You know, I think it might be better if I just do that.

BREEDER: Wise decision.

For us breeders there are no vacations or holidays, While you go to visit with family & friends, we are home at our animals caring for them. It is a no breaks commitment.
THIS IS THE REALITY
When you choose a professional, you don't only pay for the animals but also:
Tools, knowledge, experience, love, time, sacrifices, etc.

12/06/2022

Just mailed off my daughter's birthday card. 😂

12/06/2022

Winter special!

Critically endangered heritage breed Dutch Hookbill Doz +1-2 extra🥚 avail ready to ✈️ immediately.
$ 💯 includes priority USPS 📦

Excellent foragers and great egg layers. Help with conservation efforts in growing the numbers of this amazing, unique breed!

Chattanooga TN
NPIP-AI 63-1062

11/17/2022

Last few eggs for the year of Dutch Hookbills are in the incubator and these three babies hatched out on 11/13/22. 🥰

09/15/2022

Did you know there is one plant in your garden that's 100% safe from ducks and chickens from devouring after finding a weak spot in the fencing, allowing them access to break in and having an impromptu buffet ? That would be a rosemary bush. Apparently neither poultry nor waterfowl care for fresh rosemary. However, the ducks did find it to be acceptable foliage to hide a nest of eggs under. 🤦🦆🐓 (Photo was taken a week after said garden was destroyed)

09/15/2022

I have selected my favorites from this season to keep for breeding next year, so I have close to 30 extra hookbills available. They will be priced at 50usd per 🦆. If interested in a shipping quote, please send DM.

09/11/2022

My geese ARE good geese!....most of the time anyway. This meme's naughty goose breed must be one of those Emden goose breeds. Giant Dewlap Toulouse are such gentle giants and gorgeous! That's the breed my little gaggle is. 🥰 Soft Landings of Tennessee knows about the naughty ones. 😂

08/22/2022

Duck eggs are delicious! 😋

https://nextdoor.com/for_sale_and_free/096374e2-e0b1-4d3c-9f75-8d30f03fb4ea?init_source=other_share

06/26/2022

I have 2 little white faced black Spanish cockerels (hatched 04/18/22) and 2 Muscovy drakes (hatched 03/20/22) up for discussion. ***Note the adult roo is not available but to show what the cockerels will grow up to look like*** PM for details, located Chattanooga, TN

*Pied muscovy sold, wfbs cockerels and white muscovy drake still available 09/15/22

04/24/2022

Flash S @ L £!
BOGO dozen 1/2 off
Dutch Hookbill fertilized🥚
Can ✈️ tomorrow

PM for details!

03/26/2022

It's peep and cheep central here as babies are hatching out; the most recent are 26 dutch hookbill ducklings, 2 Muscovy ducklings, and 9 Dewlap Toulouse goslings. 🥰

03/26/2022

03/17/2022

Limited time special on Dutch Hookbill 🥚for immediate 🚢. My incubators are full, I'm caught up with orders. My girls are laying daily and I don't want these precious nuggets to go to waste. Npip/AI clean
DM for details.

03/15/2022

The first 3 Dewlap Toulouse babies have hatched! 🥰 #4 is still working its way out of the egg. Two grays and one buff so far. 🐣❤️🐣

03/14/2022

This article has really good incubation tips. Highly recommend giving it a read, even if you are experienced with hatching eggs.

https://www.peelridgestud.com/how-to-incubate-eggs/

I get many people calling, looking for advice about the management of their breeding season, and how to incubate eggs. Especially to do with their test and monitoring of eggs and incubation.

02/27/2022

When you don't give a cluck about others' personal space. 😅

02/26/2022

We have an overachiever here apparently. Youch!