New additions - I have crossed over into a parallel universe

It's true. I've discovered a whole 'nuther universe. It is the universe of Birds. And I'm not talking about Angry Birds or the Alfred Hitchcock movie. I'm talking about ducks and chickens. This could be dangerous...

For those of you who know me, you know that I have two Border Collies, one of whom is a young male. Although bred for herding, Simmer is a soft dog and not naturally confident on stock. My sheep aren't particularly dog-broke which makes them difficult for a young dog like Simmer to learn on. So! I decided that I would get him some Indian Runner ducks to play with this year in the hopes that he would gain some confidence on stock. I've been regularly scanning online classifieds such as Kijiji and UsedOttawa but to no avail. My friend (and often co-conspirator) Donna, suggested that we attend the spring Eastern Bird Breeders Association (EBBA) auction as I would likely find Runners there. The auction was last Saturday, in Vernon, ON. Only a short 45 minute drive from home.

Uh oh...

The good news is that this is a "cash only" sale and I went with limited cash in my pocket. The bad news? So many birds, I didn't know where to start! Never mind that I don't have a coop, enclosure or any other kind of bird or duck house on the farm. I was surrounded by an endless sea of birds that were calling my name! I was completely mesmerized. How could I resist? Chickens, ducks, peacocks, swans (yes, swans!) and varieties of birds that I didn't even know existed. Oh my! Where had they been all my life?!

I slapped myself upside the head to bring myself back to reality. I was on a mission! I *would* be strong. I *would* resist temptation and only look for my dearly sought after Runners. Well, maybe not *just* my Runners...

At the end of the day, I can home with six Pencilled Runners (two drakes, four hens) and one Red Silkie rooster who has been dubbed "Charlie Sheen". We won't say how many new birds Donna bought. Let's just say that she came home with more birds than I did.

For now, my ducks and my roo are living at Donna's. As soon as the ground thaws, contruction will begin on my duck house and enclosure as well as my chicken coop. The plan is to have the birds home early May. In the meantime, I'm hunting for more Runner hens and maybe a Silkie hen or two (and a layer or two, or four).

Left: Charlie Sheen

Right: One of my new trios of ducks (still in the box at the auction)

For Sale: Rvrglen Farm d'Artagnan

d'Artagnan in the Fall of 2009 at approximately 6 months of age.

Now that I've reduced my ewe flock, I've decided that I really don't need as many rams as I have. My DH is glad to hear it. :)

The first of my boys that I am offering for sale is a 2009 NASSA registered Shetland ram, d'Artagnan. He is by WillowGarden Wedge and out of Ewenique Daphne. d'Artagnan is an emsket gulmoget ram with a nice square conformation, good horns and a great looking fleece. I have not microned him yet but if he's still here come shearing time, he will be microned. I still own his sire and dam and am retaining one of his half brothers.

I really like this boy which is why he is still here and not already in someone else's barn or freezer. But! I can't keep them all especially since my friend and fellow shepherd Bill keeps enabling me by selling me sheep that I simply can't say no to. :)

I'll take some new pics this weekend and post them soon.

Price is $250.

Welcome to our new farm blog

Welcome to Riverglen Farm's new blog.

As our farm continues to evolve, I began to find it more and more difficult to keep our website (riverglen-farm.com) up to date. So! The website has been taken offline and is being replaced by this new fancy schmancy blog. :)

I'm not a particularly diligent blogger and am likely only to post when something strikes my fancy or I have a new addition to the farm, or I have critters for sale. Or, or, or...

So please, if I haven't blogged in a while and you want to know what's going on, drop me a line and I'll be sure to send you an update.

D. :)