Tag Archives: muscovy ducks

Track Life

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Not much happening today.

Just the usual – Monster decided he wanted to rule the world so he sat on Donald Trump.

I am considering selling some of the Muscovy ducks.  We just have so many (mostly boys) and all the girls are wandering around looking for places to nest so there are bound to be more.

I shall be sad to see them go but needs must. I never wanted a large flock.

The Shetland ponies are all doing well.  Track life seems to have been an easy change for them and it suits them. They run up and down from one end to the other, galloping up the hills, giggling and having lots of fun.  I think it also helps that the weather has been quite nice recently.

Of course, I gave in and they now get hay in the evening out of the very-difficult-to-eat haynets (doubles, ie two together with tiny holes) and this a) slows them down and b) gives the grass a bit of a chance to grow.  I don’t see anyone getting fat on this regime but I worry about stomach ulcers, and am trying to keep the intake trickling in.

Anyway, the ponies are getting lots of exercise on the track, which is ideal.  However the constant poo-picking is very boring except I am currently listening to LOTR (onto the 3rd book now), so feel like a miserable put-upon hobbit while I traipse around the track.

A Wander Around

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There were some very noticeable signs of spring when I went for my wander around with the dogs this morning.

The green leaves by the burn (stream) will soon turn into yellow flag irises, which grow wild all over Shetland – they are known locally as “seggies”.

Disappointingly, it’s not our best wall of primroses this year.  Maybe, as the warm weather gets going, they might make a better effort.  There are usually many more and look like scrambled egg.

Still, the celandine are appearing in force now. A sure sign the weather is warming up and winter is well and truly over (I may regret saying that).

As it is nearly Lambie’s 11th birthday (25th April, thank you for asking – obviously he will be having a big party, so please bring cake or chocolate and absolutely no veggies), I went to see how he was doing.

Aww, my little boy will be 11 years old.  Who’da thunk it?  Lambie’s main aim from Day 1 has always been to die…… at me.  Anyway, I asked him for a pre-birthday smile and this is what I got and then he followed me around, trying to stand next to me at all times, while I tried to photograph the others.  I think he knows it is nearly birthday time so he’s hedging all his bets and sucking up.

Lambie is not a natural charmer, like Gus-Gus.

Or Maggie, who is an optimist about everything (I have no idea why she looks like she’s swallowed a button!)

Even ‘Ster found his inner cheesey grin.

I also found these three in the far reaches of the sheep field.  It was funny to think that this time last year, they didn’t even exist (well, mum-duck did, obviously).  So I told them this and was duly ignored for my efforts.

The Grass is Always Greener

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Guess who turned up this morning, after going out into his field with his friends (he snuck back while I was finishing tidying their bedroom)?  Yes, I fed him and yes, I’ve realised I’ve made a rod for my own back but Lambie is a bit thin (that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it) and I luffs him.

After a very strong cup of coffee (my breakfast), I took the dogs out for their walk. I wanted to check the track’s electric fence, to make sure that when the ponies moved in, all systems would be go or at least zap!

Obviously, I had help.

And the ponies all came rushing over to see what I was doing just in case I had chocolate cake in my pocketses.

Despite having a bit of grass in their field, they all hanker to move onto the track.  I have absolutely no idea why.  There is not one blade of grass on it.

Where the ponies currently live has at least something to eat but apparently that’s not good enough anymore.  The grass is always greener, apparently, even if it doesn’t actually exist.

But I made the most of the nice weather and had a sit down spending some special time with Tiddles (‘scuse the many chins).

I am in two minds when to move the ponies over to their track. It is all ready and waiting.  We most certainly don’t want laminitis again and they have wintered well but there really is not one blade of grass there and I will only end up having to feed them very expensive hay, which seems ridiculous when they are ok where they are.  I dunno. I never know.  Answers on a postcard, please.

Everyone Bare Nekkid

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It seems odd that not 36 hours ago it was blowing a hoolie and snowing but now everyone’s rugs are off and they’re all bare nekkid.

The nicest bit of taking rugs off is seeing just how clean and beautiful they are underneath.

No one looks too thin, which is my main worry this time of year – with rugs on, you don’t know what is going on underneath.

Everyone had a lovely sleep lying flat out in the sunshine too.  I could almost hear them snoring.

And also they told me spring is here by starting to lose their winter coats.

I am lazy and don’t brush anyone until it gets until mid May/June as their winter coats might still be needed.  It could get cold again still.  You just never know.

I am particularly pleased with Vitamoobag.  She looks glorious for such an old lady (32yo) but it doesn’t take much for her to look like a hat-rack, I know that.  At this age, we all just go day to day with absolutely no expectations.

I climbed up the hill back to the house to find we had company!

I’ve Done Too Much

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I think I’ve done too much today. My fault, of course. I never learn so now I am resting on my bed with a heat pad hoping tomorrow will be better.

In other news, Pepper’s bloods came back normal (one slightly elevated something, but nothing worthy of note), so that rules out any nasties going on and I am relieved.  I think we will stick to a dietary intolerance diagnosis.  Luckily Pepperlikes her Royal Canin diet and I am trying hard not to let her trawl any other outside food, like bird grain, duck poo, spilled sheep feed, anything she can find really.

I am having to be tough on Pepper, which I find extremely difficult.

I have never been tough with her, which may have been the problem – but that little face……. I always give in but have to think, no, this is hurting her little tummy despite what she says.

Skippy has been diagnosed now – apparently it is the throttle switch and cable so I need to find someone who speaks/reads German and order a new one.

I did my daily put-something-on-Ebay/Etsy listing – I can’t decide which is the better platform so am dividing the jewellery between both of them to see which one has the greater range.  Ebay is winning so far just in views and interest.

I made the chap on the left today too.

Maybe there’s a potential untapped market for Muscovy Duck photography.