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We started off with two Pekin ducks Jennifer and Clarissa to deal with the atrocious state of the back yard. They certainly cooked up a storm, especially in the winter rains, but they did such an exceptional job that their species were allowed to expand. A Swedish Blue drake (Gabriel) joined the girls in 1998 and they settled down (NEVER get Pekin females by themselves!) and started having babies. (In hindsight - never get female geese alone either!!!)
Due to Chris' persistence in rescuing hatchlings, Jennifer gave birth to Lang (by Gabriel) in February 2000, and due to the unsuccessful sitting of pekins, we bought a Muscovy female called -- you guessed it (if you live in Australia), Rose.
Sadly, Gabriel died peacefully of unknown causes on Palm Sunday, April 16th, 2000. Thanks to imported fertile eggs, Rose mothered 3 Cayuga and 2 Saxony babies (December 2000) and Jennifer soon after managed (with considerable human help) to bring out an Indian Runner, 3 Khaki Campbells and a beautiful Muscovy-Swedish Blue Cross (ie Gabriel's grand-"child").
This last child needs some explanation: If you cross a Pekin male with a Muscovy female the progeny are called hinnies. If you cross a Pekin female with a male Muscovy (ha ha) the progeny are called mules. [Whereas a Pekin takes 28 days to hatch and a Muscovy takes 35 days, a mule or hinny takes 32 days to hatch. This is one of a number of reasons that Muscovy are not considered to be ducks - but more related to Geese. Hinnies are not grown commercially. Males hinnies are much larger than female hinnies, like the muscovy, yet the females look like Pekins but fly quite well.]
Hinnies cannot reproduce. Males are sterile and only the hinny females, as in this case, lay eggs (though they will not hatch). If you have Muscovy and Pekin together, the chances are poor that they will cross but if they do, a hinny will probably be the result as Pekin males can catch Muscovy females easier than Muscovy males can catch Pekin females (Mules). Therefore Hetty is very beautiful but infertile - phew!!
Thus the early 2001 total stood at:
Due to the noise element (the females of course), not to mention council regulations!, a "re-duck-tion" in numbers took place. We found a new home for Lang and Jennifer at Westbourne Grammar duck pond and a man setting up a travelling animal show took care of some others. (Even in 2002 Jennifer is clearly identifiable by the loud noise and pigmentation on her bill.) Hetty enjoys a bit of air travel and got herself into the RAAF base recently. After MUCH effort she was recaptured by us, and promptly had her wing clipped to curcumvent another attempt at freedom (which she didn't really want anyway, as she came to roost behind the back fence). All this air travel got too much, and sadly she disappeared finally in October 2002.
To backtrack - At February 2001 we had:
In February 2001, having just reduced numbers, Rose hatched three more babies, Pekin-Swedish blue crosses, which have turned out to be duck monsters. NEW Total: 10
Here are some shots: before reducing took place;
some photos in May 2001,
Noise still being a major problem, a friend with a big pond kindly relieved us of 5 ducks and, as of September 2001, we were left with:
A photo of the gang just before the August 2001 culling, thanks to Glenda Page: the problem here was who to avoid - the camera or the other nasty human.
The cold weather in July 2002 "took out" our Khaki Campbell and lovely Saxony duck. RIP
Should this be the final re-ducktion? One warm February evening in 2003 saw the end of the duck era. One by one they went over the fence to be de-feathered and frozen! Our resolution - no more ducks: the hens and geese take care of things just as well, and with much less use of water.
In 2002, numbers had grown to rediculous levels, and severe culling was required. Early 2002 saw us back to the Cayuga drake, and Campbell, Saxony, MuscovyX, and "other" ducks; as well as two lovely Brecon Buff. [any ideas?]... geese - wonderful lawn trimmers and territory guarders.
Mid-October 2002 saw the arrival of 6 Goslings - well supervised by Alexander the Gander and Luce the Goose.
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Gozzy (no 7) was rejected and would have died - "she" ? lived inside at night for a few weeks and socialised; being sent out to "assimilate" during the day. Gozzy was finally too unwell to exist and was taken to the vet in Feb 2003.
Above: Bronte checks out the latest inside visitor.
A typical situation - gozzy being very independent.
As of March 2002, two Chinese Silkies have joined the crew. No males!! These darlings are much more sociable and friendly than ducks or geese.
They hatched an assortment of eggs from our friend Barbara, resulting in Frizzlebacks and (mostly male) Silkies. Local markets got the roosters and at November 2002 we have 6 white and brown silkies with a couple of normal chooks. With the ducks gone, Foxes ate some of the hens, so they were all farmed out. An incubator has now taken the place of "Mum", and turnover is much more predictable now.
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Cat-wise there are Dickens (a semi-long-haired moggy),
Dickens remained unamused by the new human fashion accessory.
... next there's Ginge who has a voice like a dessicated Eb clarinet (surely a tautology), and who adopted us in 2000. Being fairly psychotic she lives outside. She likes dogs, some humans and can be extremely friendly. Usually she prefers hissing and snarling at fellow cats!
Where did the Go-Cat go to next! Ginge got a large lump on her jaw and was put to sleep on March 27, 2004. RIP Ginge...
Brontė the Chocolate Burmese is, of course, queen - (which is probably the problem with the above feral!).
This shot is Madam in a good mood! - and below with Dickens.
A brief visitor in early 2001 was Chester who was found on the railway tracks and was looked after until a home was found for him. Judging by current reports Samson, as he is now known, is the size of all our cats put together!
This proves that Brontė's hissing and the general dislike of Chester was not deemed to be serious or final!
In November '99 we rescued a beautiful but frightened rough coat sable/tricolour male collie from a Newport pet shop. Seb (cf: his Bach is worse than his bite) was joined in June 2000 by a slightly more pedigree sable female named Sheba. (This was my 38th birthday present - what a lovely surprise!) They are both fabulously well-behaved and a credit to their parents (that's us! - well as likely as them being well-behaved).
a collie site - and another.., and one for you to rescue a collie (if you live in the US)
The first 3 photos are Sheba who loves the camera; the others are Seb.
Dickens having a chat to Seb.
Dickens taxed the vet's medical skills and our pockets in late 2002, however the muck that was cleaned out of him has resulted in a very much more healthy and contented pussy. Roast chicken proved an essential item in getting him to start eating again!
Here we have an attempt at choral training for collies, which did however have the side-effect of getting them to sit!
[Thanks again, Glenda] - and a group of sundry animals.
On Boxing Day 2001, Sheba delivered 7 beautiful babies. Here is a photo in February 2002. We are glad to report that all dogs went to good homes: two families taking 2 babies!! and three going singly.
As the photos are now too numerous for even this page, you will have to click here for baby photos.
In August 2003, a black Maltese Terrier was rescued from certain death running around the streets of Brighton. With a good clean-up it transpired it was white! Lily has joined the inside collection and is busy terrorising the cats. Photos coming soon...
Just for some comic relief (!) Chris bought 2 love birds in late 2002. Will and Grace lived in a large cage in the back yard. Grace died and then Will escaped from the cage early 2004.
To show how close the wild West is to the city, yet still have animals grazing in the area, here is a shot: one way directly to the city; and the other into the eye of the neighbouring cow.
Updated September, 2003
