Secret Garden Farms

04/02/2025

The Heartbreak of Candling Eggs

Every time we candle our incubating eggs, there’s that bittersweet moment—seeing new life forming but also realizing that 25-45% of our eggs weren’t fertilized. If only we could tell before setting them in the incubator! Those eggs could have been breakfast instead.

But nothing truly goes to waste here at Secret Garden Farms. Our Livestock Guardian Dogs (LGDs) get the unfertilized eggs as a nutritious treat, while the ducks and chickens happily consume the shells for added calcium.

Hatching our own chicks, ducklings, and goslings is a crucial part of our self-sustaining farm life. Some will stay and contribute to our flock, while others will move on to new homes—whether for their beauty, personality, or dual-purpose qualities.

Every hatch is a mix of hope, heartbreak, and the ongoing cycle of farm life.

04/02/2025

Well we just got done with cleanup, and we're about to use rebar to steak these down, problem solved, one good wind gust and p**f. Thankful no birds were harmed and it missed the Heat pump. It's gonna be a fun night....

And the weather isn't even really here yet sheesh, ughhh

03/30/2025

Farmer market days at the Well in Norman today! Go support local and meet the amazing people behind the food!

03/27/2025

Picking Up Our Half Pasture-Raised Pig from Freeland Farms!

Today was more than just picking up some incredible pasture-raised pork—it was about community, connection, and women in agriculture lifting each other up! Meeting Tiffany Baxter, the Backyard Butcher Girl, and getting a personal tour of Freeland Farms was an absolute privilege. Seeing firsthand the care and dedication she puts into her animals and her craft was inspiring. We visually sexed some white Chinese Geese, Embdens and her sweet Brown Chinese, which one girl is making a nest in the middle of the pasture. I learned a lot about spotted Glocestershire pigs their lineage and just the sheer size of her breeder male was impressive. Complete with turkeys goats and chickens the tour was impressive .

We didn’t just talk about pigs—we talked about future endeavors, breeding programs, and the power of women working together in agriculture. We’re building something bigger than just our own farms. We’re creating a network of women supporting women, sharing knowledge, ideas, and dreams. It’s about working smarter, not harder, and proving that old-school methods like word-of-mouth can thrive alongside technology to showcase our progress.

This isn’t just farming. It’s farmHERing—and we’re rallying together to make sure we all succeed!

03/27/2025

In case you are wanting to get some flathead minnows to raise for your ducks and chickens or some other fish breeds, the day moved to April 2nd. We can't wait to give their minnows a try.

🚨🚨We just received information from Lake Pro, there truck is broke down and they will be rescheduled for April 2nd 3-4pm

Please help share🚨🚨

03/23/2025

Saxony Duck Roast with Sauerkraut, Morel Mushroom Gravy & Pan-Fried Potatoes

There’s nothing quite like the rich, succulent flavor of home-raised Saxony duck, slow-roasted to perfection and paired with tangy sauerkraut, earthy morel mushroom gravy, and crispy golden potatoes. A true farmstead feast!

Recipe:

Roast Saxony Duck

1 whole Saxony duck (about 4-5 lbs)

2 tsp salt

1 tsp black pepper

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp paprika

2 onions 1 inch slices to rest duck on

1 can beer

1️⃣ Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C).
2️⃣ Pat the duck dry and season inside and out with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
3️⃣ Place on the sliced onions in a roasting pan, add beer to the pan, and roast for about 2.5-3 hours, basting occasionally.
4️⃣ Increase temp to 425°F (218°C) for the last 20 minutes for crispy skin. Let rest before carving.

Morel Mushroom Gravy

½ cup dried morel mushrooms (rehydrated in warm water)

2 tbsp duck fat

2 tbsp flour

1 cup duck broth (from roasting pan)

Salt & pepper to taste

1️⃣ Sauté morels in duck fat over medium heat.
2️⃣ Stir in flour and cook until golden.
3️⃣ Slowly whisk in duck broth, simmer until thickened. Season to taste.

Sauerkraut & Pan-Fried Potatoes

2 cups sauerkraut, drained

4 large potatoes, sliced

2 tbsp duck fat

½ tsp salt

½ tsp smoked paprika

1️⃣ Heat 1 tbsp duck fat in a pot, sauteed cubed onions and chopped garlic. Add 1 can beer, cumin seeds, sauerkraut, and simmer for 30-45 min.
2️⃣ In another pan, heat remaining duck fat, fry potatoes until crispy, season with salt & paprika.

Serve everything together for the ultimate comfort meal!
PS: when selecting a beer, choose a medium bodied beer with a good hoppy flavor such as a lager or IPA.

03/22/2025

Stop Calling Geese "Guard Animals"

I wish YouTube and people would stop spreading this myth. We raise several different breeds of geese, and each has its own personality. Some are louder than others, some waddle around like grumpy old men, but none of them will stay and fight off predators.

Yes, they honk—a lot—but that doesn’t mean they’re reliable for predator control. During mating season, they need their own space. Some can live peacefully with chickens, but that’s the exception, not the rule. And let’s be clear: geese aren’t aggressive, they’re defensive. Ganders take protecting their mates and nests very seriously. If you stand your ground and make yourself big, they usually back off.

Kids running? That’s a problem. A gander sees movement as a challenge, just like they do with rival males. That’s why they chase and nip from behind—it’s instinct, not aggression. If you mistreat a goose, they will remember (just like orcas do) and hold a grudge long after mating season ends.

Geese are highly intelligent, recognize faces, and are deeply intuitive. But if you’re looking for a fearless farm protector, they’re not it. Let’s start appreciating geese for what they really are, not what people assume them to be.

03/17/2025

Spring Awakens on the Goosestead 🌸🌿

The orchard is stirring—peach, pear, and plum blossoms unfurl like whispered promises of warmer days. Each petal catches the golden kiss of the sun, painting the air with the soft perfume of renewal. The geese chatter excitedly, waddling through a world turning lush and green again. Beneath the delicate canopies, the earth hums with life, and our hands, still chilled from winter’s grasp, reach out to welcome the warmth.

Today, as we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, we honor a man who, legend says, drove the snakes from Ireland and used the shamrock to teach the Trinity. Though history tells us Ireland never had snakes, his legacy remains—a symbol of faith, resilience, and the enduring power of new beginnings. 🍀✨

From our blossoming homestead to yours, may your days be filled with growth, luck, and the beauty of nature’s grand reawakening.

03/12/2025

The Magic of Fairy Eggs! ✨🥚

Ever found a teeny-tiny egg in your chicken coop? That’s a fairy egg! These little surprises happen when a hen’s reproductive system misfires, usually in young pullets just starting to lay or older hens going through a hormonal shift. Unlike normal eggs, fairy eggs often lack a yolk, earning them whimsical names over the years, like:

🧚‍♀️ Wind eggs
🧚‍♀️ Fart eggs (yes, really!)
🧚‍♀️ C**k eggs
🧚‍♀️ Witch eggs
🧚‍♀️ Dwarf eggs

While their size is tiny, their meaning is big—farmers are happy to see them because it usually means a young hen is gearing up for regular egg-laying soon! Have you ever found a fairy egg? Tell us about it!

03/12/2025

If you haven't stopped by to see Brad England , Amber England , Clayton and the crew you are missing out. The place looks great, all new products for your backyard flock, roping, gloves and of course great feed options and they had just gotten a fresh load of straw and hay in when I stopped by this morning. Support local!

03/08/2025

It took me a few days to process the destruction of Oklahoma winds while we were sleeping. These winds were Gusty and strong. For almost two months these guys never even budged between snow ice and high winds but two days ago the winds were strong enough to knock these heavy huts over.

The more I look at the damage which thankfully didn't cost us anything but time, the more I am convinced that digging the huts into the ground is the best idea we have had so far. An actual tornado would need to go over us before the huts would be destroyed.

Thankfully this was never supposed to be a permanent set up and we were planning on taking it down in the next few weeks anyway, but just seeing the sheer force of nature reminds us that Oklahoma doesn't play!

Well cleanup will resume after the rains of today, and we will continue to build our

03/07/2025

A PSA from. Our friends at JK Homegrown who would have thought

Do you have crunchy knees that remind you that you were definitely born before 2000? Yea, me too. Getting down to crawl into the goose nests just is not happening. Instead, I use a dog toy to retrieve those hard to reach eggs. This cheap little chuck toy makes scooping up those eggs super easy.

Save your knees, spend $3 at a dollar store 🤣

03/06/2025

A Peaceful Thursday After the Storm

The storm has passed, and the farm awakens to a crisp, golden morning. The air is fresh, washed clean by the rains, carrying the scent of damp earth and new beginnings. The geese and ducks roam the pasture, nibbling at the tender greens, their contented murmurs blending with the soft songs of birds shaking off the last raindrops. The sun peeks through scattered clouds, painting the world in a warm, glowing light.

Today is a day to breathe deeply and feel the joy of simple things. Be grateful for:
1️⃣ The resilience of nature—how it bends but does not break.
2️⃣ The peace after the storm—both in the sky and in the soul.
3️⃣ The gift of this very moment—alive, present, and full of promise.

Take a moment to soak in the beauty around you, no matter where you are. Let the sunshine warm your spirit, and may your heart be as light as the breeze.

03/05/2025

Respecting the Cycle: From Pasture to Plate

Last weekend we culled the extra Mottled Java roosters, closing the loop on a life well lived. When you raise poultry or waterfowl you have to have a plan for your extra males. Here vs shredding them as chicks, these birds thrived on pasture, foraging, dust bathing, and soaking up the sun—nothing like the tragic existence of factory-farmed poultry. They lived a long life some close to two years.

We honor them by using every part. The meat nourishes us with rich, homegrown protein. The livers, hearts, and crispy skin are a delicacy. The guardian dogs enjoy the feet, necks, and heads, fueling their vital work. Even the intestines serve a purpose, feeding the maggot buckets that, in turn, nourish the poultry. Nothing is wasted.

This is the essence of a . A full-circle farm where every life is valued, and every harvest is honored.

03/05/2025

These 5 mystery goslings are a mess lol. Hopefully we can get them outside for a bit on fresh grass today. We definitely will need to do a lot of cleanup after last night's winds.
I have yet to brave the outdoors today as it's only 38F.

03/04/2025

What are the odds to crack open two goose eggs and get two double yolker from possibly two different breed. One set was fertilized, which still wouldn't have made it to hatch, the other set was not. Such a neat experience for breakfast this morning!

03/02/2025

The Heart of the Farm: Trust Between Partners

Farming together isn’t just about growing food or tending animals—it’s about growing trust. When you're running a farm as a husband and wife team, that trust isn’t just emotional—it’s life or death sometimes. Whether we’re moving geese, repairing fences, or handling an emergency, we have to know the other has our back. This kind of trust is different from regular marriage trust—it’s built on action, experience, and the understanding that sometimes, a simple mistake could mean a runaway animal, a broken fence, or even an injury.

So how do we build that deep, unshakable trust?

1️⃣ Clear Communication – Whether it’s calling out “Gate open!” or “Watch your step!”, clear, calm communication keeps us both safe and on the same page.

2️⃣ Defined Roles – Knowing who does what helps avoid confusion. We play to each other’s strengths, whether it’s one of us handling the geese while the other sets up fencing.

3️⃣ Follow-Through – If one of us says we’ll latch the gate, the other trusts it’s done. If one of us forgets? We both pay the price. Trust grows when actions match words.

4️⃣ Grace Under Pressure – Mistakes happen. Instead of blame, we problem-solve. When things go sideways, we don’t need panic—we need each other.

5️⃣ Celebrating the Wins – After a hard day’s work, we toast to victories, big or small. Trust isn’t just about surviving—it’s about thriving together.

There’s something romantic about knowing that, no matter what, we are a team. When the geese honk their goodnights and the farm quiets under the stars, we know we built this life together. Trust makes the dream work.