Tag Archives: ducks

Episode-1548- Jon Dowie on Profitable Back Yard Ducks

Posted on April 2, 2015 by Modern Survival| 19 Comments
Episode-1548- Jon Dowie on Profitable Back Yard Ducks [ 1:58:36 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
A Mixed Flock of Brooding Ducklings at Dowie Farm.

A Mixed Flock of Brooding Ducklings at Dowie Farm.

Jon Dowie is a permaculturist that has been raising ducks for meat and eggs for 5 years now in Southern NH on a .6 acre lot. He has taken a small flock of ducks from a hobby to a flock of over 60 egg layers that turns a profit. He experiments with different tractoring methods and over-wintering techniques. In addition he started out as a traditional modern farming method flock and is transitioning his flock into a permaculture style system.

I first met Jon Dowie in 2013 when he came to the first ever TSP Workshop.   By that time I had talked myself out of doing ducks instead choosing to go with chickens and geese.  Jon was so ecstatic about his ducks though that it rekindled my interest, soon the first Spirko ducks were in the brooder, now two years later we are building our own thriving duck egg business.

Over the years Jon and I have both developed different methods for very different climates and different markets.  Today we discuss both of our approaches, that has worked well for each of us and frankly some things that don’t necessary work well in both New Hampshire and North Texas.  For instance my biggest challenge is keeping birds from getting too hot in our summers, his is keeping them watered and fed in the freezing cold New England winters.

Today Jon and I discuss feeding ducks and still making a profit, developing markets, fodder vs. sprouts, caging, predator issues, composting and more.  The more I work with ducks the more I begin to feel they are the perfect back yard poultry option, far superior to the chicken in a huge variety of ways.  I think Jon would agree, tune in today to hear why we feel that way.

Resources for today’s show…

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show. Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK (866-658-4465) and you might hear yourself on the air.

Also remember we have an expert council you can address your calls to. If you do this you should email me right after your call at jack at thesurvivalpodcast.com with expert council call in the subject line. In the body of your email tell me that you just called in a question for the council and what number you called in from. I will then give the call priority when I screen calls.

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Episode-1493- Adventures in Raising Ducks

Posted on January 6, 2015 by Modern Survival| 43 Comments
Episode-1493- Adventures in Raising Ducks [ 1:38:23 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
Duck's Pack Like Behavior Makes Management Easy

A Duck’s Pack Like Behavior Makes Management Easy

Our duck activities have garnered a lot of requests for a full show on just ducks.  So today I will do my best.  I have been reluctant to do so for a few reasons.  The first is ducks are a new thing to me. I  grew up caring at least at times for chickens and geese.  I know their requirements well.

While I observed lots of semi wild muscovies in Florida, I was not responsible for their care other than feeding them surplus fishing bait.  As of right now my direct experience in duck husbandry is about 8 months long.  This spring we purchased our little ducks, we lost some but now we have 25 happy adults.  I have had good results but credit the ducks more than myself with that.

Leading me to the second reason, there just isn’t much to it unless you go out of your way to create work for yourself.  Rain and cold can kill a chicken, it makes a duck happy.  Ducks travel in groups, if you get one headed the right direction, pretty much everyone follows.  They forage, they eat, they poop, they quack and they lay eggs.  Unless you are breeding show quality birds or something there isn’t a lot to it.  At least that is how it feels at times.

Join Me Today to Discuss…

  • Why the duck is much easier to care for than a chicken
    • Loves cold
    • Loves rain
    • Easy to fence
    • Light on land
    • Herding is possible
    • Hunts as a pack
    • Cool manure
    • Creature of habit and routine
  • The not so great side of ducks
    • Messy
    • Single minded stubborness
    • Noisy
    • Creature of habit and routine
  • Duck breeds I am working with
    • Cayugas
    • Hybrid Layers
    • Rouens
    • Runners (various)
    • Khaki Campbell
    • Swedish (may be?)
    • Muscovy
  • Best All Around Breeds (my opinion based on research)
    • Meat – Pekins or Grimaud Hybrid Pekin – Jumbo Pekin
    • Eggs – Hybrid 300 Layers (gold or white)
    • Self Propagating Dual Purpose – Muscovy
    • Dual Purpose – Buff (aka Buff Orpington)
  • Duck eggs and why they rock
    • Ducks are born with 1500 ovum vs. the 1000 of a chicken
    • Ducks are good layers for 3-4 seasons
    • 6x the Vitamin D, 2x the Vitamin A, of chickens
    • 2x the cholesterol in duck eggs vs chicken eggs (good cholesterol)
    • Higher fat and energy content (good fat)
    • Thick, viscus yolks (beautiful over easy/medium)
    • Better for baking if that is your thing
    • Less likely to break yolks, or accidentally crack one
  • The basics of raising and managing ducks
    • “Experts say space the same as chickens
    • 4 sf per duck in “coop” 10 sf per duck in “yard”
    • Ducks don’t “perch” except for muscovies (sometimes)
    • Fencing can be 3 feet high except for muscovies (sometimes)
    • I don’t use laying boxes because the ducks don’t seem to care
    • Generally most eggs are laid by 730ish am
    • Provide water, they shit it up FAST
    • A ducks personality tends to be the sum of its flock personality
  • Hatching young ducks
    • If you can get a mom to do it, let her do it
    • Incubation is the same as chickens, it just takes longer
    • Store eggs for up to 10 days, then start all of them together
    • Day 1-25 99.5 turn 7 times a day, Day 26-28 98.5 no turning
    • Day 1-33 99.5 turn 7 times a day, Day 33-35 98.5 no turning (muscovy)
  • Brooding young ducks
    • Expect to brood for 3-5 weeks depending on season
    • Provide heat on one end of brooder
    • Spend a lot of time with them if you want them “tame”
    • Feed them chick starter
    • They can go into a “tractor” in good weather as early as 2 weeks
    • Do not introduce them to the main flock until they are at least 60% grown
    • Develop a drain system for water
    • No “bathing water” until 2 weeks
    • They MUST be able to dunk their heads in water
    • Some will die, accept it
  • Final thoughts
    • If you incubate get a good incubator
    • Beware of “Tractor Supply Disease”
    • eFowl and Metzer are great places to order
    • Just do it, it isn’t hard

Resources for today’s show…

fuyuBob Wells Plant of the Week – Fuyu Persimmon – The Fuyu Persimmon tree is highly adaptable from zone 7 to zone 10.

They are medium size, flat shape, still crunchy when ripe, non-astringent.  This means “bletting” isn’t required.

Cool or hot climate. Hardy, attractive tree, practically pest free. It ripens in the fall and is Self-fruitful.

Find this plant and more at BobWellsNursery.com Bob Wells Nursery specializes in anything edible: Fruit trees, Berry Plants, Nut Trees, as well as the hard to find Specialty Trees.

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show. Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK (866-658-4465) and you might hear yourself on the air.

Also remember we have an expert council you can address your calls to. If you do this you should email me right after your call at jack at thesurvivalpodcast.com with expert council call in the subject line. In the body of your email tell me that you just called in a question for the council and what number you called in from. I will then give the call priority when I screen calls.

Join the MSB Today

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Want Every Episode of TSP Ever Produced?

Remember in addition to discounts to over 40 vendors who supply stuff you are likely buying anyway, tons of free ebooks and video content, MSB Members also get every edition of The Survival Podcast ever produced in convenient zip files in blocks of 24. More info on the MSB can be found here.

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Episode-1450- TSP Homestead Lessons and Planning – Fall 2014

Posted on October 22, 2014 by Modern Survival| 77 Comments
Episode-1450- TSP Homestead Lessons and Planning - Fall 2014 [ 1:12:14 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
Three Bee Hives - One of Many Additions to the Homestead in 2014

Three Bee Hives – One of Many Additions to the Homestead in 2014

This is a great time of the year to look back at 2014 and begin fall/winter planning as well.  2014 was a big and very active year at the TSP ranch.

It also saw the launch of PermaEthos, AgriTrue, the TSP Wiki, SchoolStupidity.com and now we will soon be releasing  GenForward.com.

While I will talk a little bit about those things today I really want to focus mostly on the on the ground homestead improvements and lessons.  We now have a very large flock of chickens and a pretty good sized group of ducks.  The exciting part is our ducks are now laying eggs and I am absolutely in love with fresh duck eggs.

I also broke down and installed some “conventional garden beds” but I have already decided on a intensive polyculture model for them.  I have completed my sorghum trials and selected a variety to attempt to naturalize on the homestead and more.

Join Me Today As I Discuss…

  • The rise of the red pharaoh chicken
  • Ducks the gentle on the land birds still do some damage
  • The ducks also seem to lay enough and grow fast enough to be a good meat source
  • Geese these guys might all be legs up in an oven by years end, except for Buddy
  • Jute Mallow will self reseed in my climate, sowing is better though
  • The sorghum trials are in, Mennonite for the win, the contestants were
    • Black Amber – grows great, birds don’t love it though
    • Giant White African, huge yields but falls over
    • Tarahumara doesn’t self reseed as well as the others
    • Mennonite birds love it, compact, reseeds, coppices well for 2 crops
  • Plant propagation is like printing money
  • Don’t skimp on the “support trees” and get over the density concerns
  • Pop up green houses suck, time to build a real one
  • Wolf Berry is fricken tough as nails and easy to propagate
  • Dwarf Mulberry is awesome
  • My best trees and bushes to grow are
    • Apple
    • Peach
    • Plum
    • Mulberry
    • Jujube
    • Autumn Olive and Goumi
    • Elders in the right locations
  • Currants will grow in Texas in a “Goldy Locks spot”
  • If there are to be blueberries, they must be in a container
  • Some new things I am going to try
    • White clover as a ground cover
    • Sowing more vegetables in the food forest
    • Better irrigation systems
    • The beginnings of a full property “fedge” system
    • A controlled Red Pharaoh breeding program
    • Horse poop on contour (yes I am serious)
  • The biggest lesson, as soon as you find the “best way” you find a better way

Resources for today’s show…

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show. Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK (866-658-4465) and you might hear yourself on the air.

Also remember we have an expert council you can address your calls to. If you do this you should email me right after your call at jack at thesurvivalpodcast.com with expert council call in the subject line. In the body of your email tell me that you just called in a question for the council and what number you called in from. I will then give the call priority when I screen calls.

Join the MSB Today

Join the MSB Today

Want Every Episode of TSP Ever Produced?

Remember in addition to discounts to over 40 vendors who supply stuff you are likely buying anyway, tons of free ebooks and video content, MSB Members also get every edition of The Survival Podcast ever produced in convenient zip files in blocks of 24. More info on the MSB can be found here.

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Episode-1325- Taking the TSP Homestead Forward in 2014

Posted on April 1, 2014 by Modern Survival| 51 Comments
Episode-1325- Taking the TSP Homestead Forward in 2014 [ 1:09:27 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Charlie and Ralph Nap after a Long Day on the Homestead

Time for a simple old school style TSP that is basically a chat with Jack.  Today we take a look a what 2014 has in store for life at the TSP homestead.  The first year here was mostly an infrastructure establishment phase.  We installed swales and hugul beds.  We also built facilities for our livestock, systems to move they though the land, etc.  We installed garden ponds and many other systems.

The entire first year of establishment is actually available in a 90 minute video we filmed that you can find here.  The key is the first year was like building the roads and bridges, 2014 is going to be more like when the houses, buildings and shops go in, metaphorically of course.

This year is going to be awesome, Josiah will be off building the flagship PermaEthos farm which will require at least one trip by me up there for a major earthworks course and installation.  Other than that though Dorothy and I will be back to it just being the two of us and frankly even though we love Joe like family we are looking forward to it.

We are moving into a new phase, one of tweaking, edge expansion and management.  Shifting from changing the landscape to working with it.  Dorothy is even considering starting a small homestead business or businesses of her own.

Join Me Today As We Discuss…

  • Once we plant 300 plus trees this week then what
  • Plans for more mobile chicken fencing and a mobile coops
  • Charly’s progress and the BS that a dog that kills a chicken must be beaten, etc.
  • The geese “herd” is being expanded
  • Ducks into the system
  • A new “pond” near the big hen house how it will add to our system
  • A new crop in the garden ponds, Chinese water chestnut
  • This year we go big on perennial medicinal herbs
  • Bees are coming, I have no idea what to do with them but I will figure it out
  • Dorothy is considering an egg business, perhaps a plant business too
  • Pasture restoration 2.0, one horse equals a LOT of poop and hay
  • Final decision on the west pasture has yet to be made
  • Plans for our future abundance

Resources for today’s show…

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show. Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK (866-658-4465) and you might hear yourself on the air.

Also remember we have an expert council you can address your calls to. If you do this you should email me right after your call at jack at thesurvivalpodcast.com with expert council call in the subject line. In the body of your email tell me that you just called in a question for the council and what number you called in from. I will then give the call priority when I screen calls.

Our Expert Council is Made Up of…

Join the MSB Today

Join the MSB Today

Want Every Episode of TSP Ever Produced?

Remember in addition to discounts to over 40 vendors who supply stuff you are likely buying anyway, tons of free ebooks and video content, MSB Members also get every edition of The Survival Podcast ever produced in convenient zip files in blocks of 24. More info on the MSB can be found here.

 

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Episode-1321- Bitcoin, PermaEthos, Homestead Updates and Matt Miller on Vehicle Maintenance

Posted on March 26, 2014 by Modern Survival| 50 Comments
Episode-1321- Bitcoin, PermaEthos, Homestead Updates and Matt Miller on Vehicle Maintenance [ 1:32:45 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
Three of out 12 New Baby Ducks

Three of our 12 New Baby Ducks

Time for a four parter, as I said I am making it up to you guys for lost time during recent travel and I suspect at least one show will not happen next week as well with the workshop and all. So today here is what we have on hand.

First I am going to talk about why the “big news” about bitcoin is not big news in any negative way.  Of course I mean the IRS ruling that BTC is property and not currency.  Anyone running a business publicly collecting BTC should have greeted this announcement with a resounding duh, frankly, no shit is more accurate.

Let me break it to you bluntly, the IRS guidance is actually factual, accurate and consistent with all existing code and treatment of property and assets by the IRS.

Note I am not saying the IRS is fair, that taxes are fair or that taxes are okay and not theft.  What I am saying is based on current IRS code, historical treatment of barter and the trade of goods and the treatment of commodities, the new IRS guidance is fair and consistent in relation to historical IRS guidelines.

Here are several reason this ruling is meaningless…

  • Anyone with a brain taking in lots of bitcoin into a business was likely already doing the accounting as the guidelines state.
  • The IRS still can’t track person to person bitcoin, they don’t have that ability, if they ever acquire it, the system will take it away from them in an “update”.
  • New software to maximize tax advantages of this ruling is likely being coded RIGHT NOW.
  • Likely the IRS is going to have to change their guidance when BTC becomes a recognized currency anyway, it will then function like any currency on the FOREX, this is going to happen.

Second we move one to a bit more on PermaEthos and a few questions that have come up since my big announcement yesterday.  I will also again explain that YES the MSB will get a discount code for Geoff Lawton’s PDC and the code will be in the MSB likely today or tomorrow but definitely before the PDC goes on sale.

The new Ethos model has been extremely well received!  I want to talk just a bit more about it.  I will be updating the PermaEthos site soon to reflect the new model and start creating a true virtual community around it.  It will be important that Ethos function both as an extension of the TSP community and yet function on its own merits to those who have no clue what or who a TSP is.

Then I have some “homestead updates” for you guys.  Yes an MSB only video will come out this week by the way, showing a lot of what I am going to talk about.  There is some cool stuff though, today our homestead population grew by yet another dozen with 12 ridiculously cute ducklings!  I’ll tell you also how they and the geese are going to get some “ponds” that will almost be actual ponds.

Then I am joined by Matthew Miller who is a long time listener to TSP and an MSB member.  . In an effort to continue building resiliency and self-sufficiency in his life he wanted to learn how to maintain his own vehicles. Inheriting his late grandfather’s 94 Ranger was the final push needed. A 20 year old truck with 80k miles on it was a great starter project to get his feet wet.

He has documented all of his repairs and progress on the TSP forums for others to learn and gain encouragement from. Since starting he has gained a basic working knowledge of autos and has no fear when he hears a knock or rattle. Through his desire to do things himself he has inspired friends and family members to do their own work and offers to help when he can.

Matthew loves watching his kids play in and on his truck or car when he’s working on them. They’ll jump in with tools and ‘help’ daddy out. Knowing that he is teaching them positive values, resiliency, and self-reliance is the greatest reward he’s gotten since learning this new skill-set.

Resources for today’s show…

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show. Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK (866-658-4465) and you might hear yourself on the air.

Also remember we have an expert council you can address your calls to. If you do this you should email me right after your call at jack at thesurvivalpodcast.com with expert council call in the subject line. In the body of your email tell me that you just called in a question for the council and what number you called in from. I will then give the call priority when I screen calls.

Our Expert Council is Made Up of…

Join the MSB Today

Join the MSB Today

Want Every Episode of TSP Ever Produced?

Remember in addition to discounts to over 40 vendors who supply stuff you are likely buying anyway, tons of free ebooks and video content, MSB Members also get every edition of The Survival Podcast ever produced in convenient zip files in blocks of 24. More info on the MSB can be found here.

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Episode-1019- The Role of Animals in Permaculture

Posted on November 13, 2012 by Modern Survival| 33 Comments
Episode-1019- The Role of Animals in Permaculture [ 59:09 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
Properly Managed Chickens Can Convert Pasture to Forest

Properly Managed Chickens Can Convert Pasture to Forest

Geoff Lawton just released a great video that represents the beginnings of an awesome new project and it fits in great with today’s show topic.  In his video which addresses preparing for future crisis with permaculture Geoff shows how chickens can be used to establish a food forest 150 square meters at a time.

This is just one role that livestock both small and large can play in a permaculture system.  From talking to hundreds of people I am convinced that you can have some sort of livestock in just about any environment.

To me if you really wish to branch out into individual sustainability at some point animals must become part of the formula.  Today I discuss how to do that and how to actually sculpt land with animals being one of your tools in doing so.  We discuss how to do this on a large acreage or even a small suburban lot.

Join Me Today As We Discuss…

  • Why animals in the first place, what does nature teach us
  • Understanding soil creation both fungal and bacterial
  • Using chickens to restore a pasture OR create a food forest
  • Using ducks for pest control and free ranging them in “forest”
  • The role animals play in nutrient bioavailability
  • How improperly managed animals can destroy a system
  • How to adapt large scale animal concepts into small scale operations
  • Using animals in suburban environments
  • How to even use animals covertly in suburban environments

Resources for Today’s Show…

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show. Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK and you might hear yourself on the air.

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Episode-771- Ben Falk on Growing Rice in Cold Climates with Permaculture

Posted on October 26, 2011 by Modern Survival| 7 Comments
Episode-771- Ben Falk on Growing Rice in Cold Climates with Permaculture [ 1:00:37 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
Ben Falk of WholeSystemsDesign.com

Ben Falk of WholeSystemsDesign.com

Ben Falk developed Whole Systems Design, as a land-based response to biological and cultural extinction and the increasing separation between people and elemental things. Life as a designer, builder, ecologist, tree-tender, and back country traveler continually informs Ben’s integrative approach to developing landscapes and buildings.

His home landscape and the WSD studio site in Vermont’s Mad River Valley serve as a proving ground for the innovative land developments featured in the projects of Whole Systems Design. Ben has studied architecture and landscape architecture at the graduate level and holds a master’s degree in land-use planning and design.

He has taught design courses at the University of Vermont and Harvard’s Arnold Arboretum as well as on permaculture design, microclimate design, and design for climate change. He serves on the Board of Directors and Faculty at the Yestermorrow Design-Build School.  Ben joins us today to discuss growing rice with terraced systems in cold climates along with permaculture design considerations.

Join Ben and I Today as we Discuss…

  • Why grow rice in the first place
  • The methods of hill side agriculture that make a rice system practical
  • Lessons learned by cultivating rice in a climate not know for it
  • Integration of water fowl into a rice based system
  • Pest control via the attraction and introduction of predators
  • What hiring a permaculture design consultant can do for you
  • The most common mistakes people make setting up a site
  • The first things Ben looks at when evaluating a site
  • Several ways you can save yourself thousands of dollars in mistakes when buying land
  • A few uncommon crops and what they can do for your system

 Additional Resources for Today’s Show

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show. Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK and you might hear yourself on the air.

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Episode-765- Useful Small Animals for the Homestead

Posted on October 18, 2011 by Modern Survival| 42 Comments
Episode-765- Useful Small Animals for the Homestead [ 1:14:29 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Okay there is a lot of gloom and doom out there and to be honest some of the crap is really hitting the fan right now.  It will be necessary for me to delve into that world more and more in the coming months/years but I still want to keep some positive and fun stuff coming as well.

Hence today we are going to focus on homesteading and animals that can feed us, protect our property or provide us with other benefits.  The list we will cover today includes some “traditional small livestock”, some wild game and some other stuff people don’t usually think of.

So what happened to chickens?  They get a token mention but as everyone thinks of chickens first we are focusing elsewhere today.

Join me today as we discuss…

  • What makes an animal useful for our homestead
    • Produces food
    • Produces functional by products
    • Produces useful waste
    • Performs a useful function
    • Provides entertainment
    • Supports other systems
  • Some useful and easy to care for livestock
    • Dogs
    • Rabbits
    • Small Swine
    • Squirrels, Raccoons and other small wildlife
    • Bees (mason and conventional)
    • Ducks
    • Fish – tilapia, catfish, trout, crayfish, frogs, etc.
    • Worms and insects
    • Goats and sheep
    • Pigeons and Quail

Additional Resources for Today’s Show

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show. Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK and you might hear yourself on the air.

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