Quack!

(singing)

Our Pig Partner has a farm, E-I-E-I-O!
And on his farm he has a DUCK, E-I-E-I-O!

A big, fat, pigeon-toed duck who waddles around and lays huge, delicious eggs! Yummy!   She doesn't really have a nest, so she just lays her egg wherever she sees fit that particular day. It's like Easter all the time!  

Ducks: Destiny's Final Day

Mr. Farmer and his partner processed the ducks last week (you'll remember that we had decided to call them all "Destiny"). The beautiful Peking White Ducks were full grown and ready to go, right on schedule. They employed the large stainless pot for boiling water outside, and while it heated up, they put down the 8 corn-fed ducks.

Four of the ducks were cleaned, soaked in brine for several days, and frozen whole. The other 4 were left in the special brine a few days longer, then stuffed into the now-traditional knee-high nylon-stocking casing for a day in the smokehouse. They were not cured, so once the smoking was complete, they were also frozen.

Ducks in Stocking-Bags, Prepared for Smoking

 Do you know what the hardest part about smoking ducks is? Finding rolling papers big enough for them.

(Please understand that anytime someone drops by the house while we are processing ANYTHING through the smoker, I am forced to endure this same joke... over and over and over and over... I just HAD to share.)

Ducks: Destiny

We got a phone call last Sunday morning from my brother-in-law who, as I have mentioned, works across the street from the flea market. Once again, he is enabling my husband in his penchant for animal husbandry. In addition to low-cost, end-of-shelf-life produce, he always alerts us when there are animals for sale at a reasonable cost. Several years ago he even brought home a box of baby quail completely unbidden. This time he called to tell us that there were baby ducks for sale.

Naturally Mr. Farmer and his partner packed up the van and headed out for duck shopping. They were not pleased with the quality of the ducks at the flea market, but they had mallard on the brain and kept on searching. Being that it is so close to Easter, it did not take long before they located them at the same general store where they had purchased the bantam chickens a few years ago. Eight baby ducklings of ten days to two weeks old were boxed up and on their way to the homestead.

These ducks, Peeking Whites, are meat birds. Our partner is going to raise them in his garage and yard for about 6 weeks. Once they reach full size they will make several fine dinners for our two families. Until then, they will be fed a diet primarily of corn, but will be treated with fresh greens, which our last ducks loved. Since their purpose is clear, we will call all eight of them -regardless of gender- "Destiny".

***

Post Script: She's at it again. Knowing full well that each of the "cute little duckies" has a destiny, our partner's girlfriend is naming the ducks. What am I to do?

Ducks: The Dilemma

The following is a discussion we presume occurred in recent weeks in our mini-barnyard. The names have been omitted because we don't name our animals. They are livestock, for crying out loud, not pets.

Duck: What do I do? They killed my brother! I think they ATE him!
Chickens (Smugly): They don't kill us.
Duck: Well, why do YOU get to live? They killed the pigs, too.
Chickens: Hmmm... we lay eggs. Maybe it's because they can eat the eggs, so they don't have to eat us.
Duck: Eggs? Yeah, that makes sense. Pigs can't lay eggs, either! But I'm a bird! A GIRL bird! I can lay eggs!
Chickens: Go for it. It's worth a try.

And so, within days of her brother's (ahem) passing, the duck lays an egg. We give her straw and decide to let her live. Her eggs are big, strong, and delicious. There is much joy in the barnyard.

But, alas, the joy was short-lived, as in less than a week, she is no longer able to lay. Should we eat her? She is cage raised and tender like her brother, I am sure.... but she laid an egg. And egg-laying birds don't get eaten. Besides, Mr. Farmer says she likes me.

Oh no. I think she's a pet. I might have to name her now.

Duck