I have had ducks, rabbits and goats. The rabbits were very cute, just too much work for me to really enjoy, good eating though The ducks, I could sit and watch for hours. I love to watch them preen themselves. the goats are a bit more involved, trimming hoofs, worming, mastitis, etc. But it is all well worth it, when mine had their first bunch of babies, I could have spent the night in the barn to keep watching them! They are sooooo cute and cudly. We use them for milking, and the boys, we band to wither and then butcher for meat when they are approx. one year old. If you time it right, you can have meat and milk all year round. i have tried dogs, but none of them like my ducks for anything but chew toys.

"I don't think that White Plymouth Rocks are a mistake, Gail. Part of the enjoyment in having the hens is seeing them out on the green grass on a sunny day. The Barred Rocks and the White Rocks will look good together." Thanks for the encouragement, Digit. I won't kick myself in the backside too hard over this even though my husband asked "Why would anyone want a boring white chicken" last night. I decided last night that I'm going to get some of the Orphingtons when I go to town next week for another round of poison. They should still have a few. Last night I noticed one of the banties was a feather-footed variety. Unfortunately, she didn't make it through the night so now I have none. Obviously this is a problem that needs correction. I'll keep my eye on the feed store for a few more cochins and brahmas. It is hilarious to watch their funny gate when the flock takes off running. They had me laughing so hard a few times last summer I wasn't sure if I was going to split my stitches or wet myself first. Who would think a bird with a brain smaller than a pea could provide so much enjoyment? The feed store didn't have any Auracanas so I'll be watching for them too. In addition to being good, their colored eggs crack me up. Ha, ha, ha! We don't have much green grass here, however I do spend probably too much time out on the deck just watching the chickens forage at the edge of the woods and out in the native grasses. I bet the rocks will look good together. One thing we noticed last year is that although the mixed breed flock mixed together well, if there is more than one chicken of any particular breed, those chickens will flock together within the larger flock. When they get too bold and venture down into the swale the coyotes start picking them off one or two at a time. When I see them headed that way just calling them and offering them some kitchen scraps or a piece of bread will get them back to foraging closer to the house. Chickens. Just too much fun! Gail

I also believe somewhat the "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger", but I have limits. My old doctor who was a very wise and moderate man told me that we were "sanitizing ourselves sick" and that if we didn't expose ourselves and our children to soem things we'd never develop a natural immunity. Of course, I'll kiss a horse on the lips, don't blink when I eat ice cream with raw eggs (although the fat content gives me pause, LOL), if I find a dog hair in something I pick it out. I eat raw tomatoes from the garden, dusted off on my shirt, although I know I grew them in nicely composed cow manure. However, I don't eat meat that's been sitting on the counter for two days, I won't buy home canned goods from people I don't know and I cringe when someone sits their purse on my counter, knowing that purse has been on the floor of the bathroom, the back seat of the car, sitting on the sidewalk. I really don't like it when I go somewhere and see cats walking on counters either, because I know they've dug in their litter box. At my home I just quietly clean the counter before I start food prep and don't obsess. At the cat's home, I just shut up because although I find it icky, it won't kill me and I know it. And I'm not one of the people who get so grossed out over a bug. Insects are eaten in many parts of the world (although I choose not to except in case of starvation) and I love lobster which is basically a huge water bug. Yeah, really, it is, look it up. So, at the end of the world, the zombies are going to have to do me in, my immunity at this point is pretty good. Annie

I enjoy breeding my dogs and raising puppies and no, I don't get rich at it. These puppies are mutts. I ask (and get) $150 each only because if someone will pay that much for an unpapered dog I know it's going to a good home. It's hard not to get attached to them but I do. Letting go is easy because I know where these dogs are going and most of them I get to see from time to time. The hardest part is keeping males away from Gabby when she is in the early heat stage and bleeding. Dogs are all over the place; she wants to go out and play with them and the doggie diapers don't work all the time and there are stains in my house. The carpet and upholstery cleaner comes out and stays out until the heat is over. This batch of puppies have caused me some work because they can't be outside. It is so cold and I have no way of heating the barn to keep them warm and Gabby warm enough. We used to raise puppies with Ruby. She is strictly an outdoor dog. Because of the cold she wouldn't have enough milk to keep the puppies warm and get over-nursed. Then she would get mastitis and be sick and I would bottle feed puppies. I did this two times and I swore 'never again'. I got too attached to the puppies and it was REALLY hard to let them go. The puppies weren't as strong as they should be and it was hard on Ruby. So, puppies live in my store room. This is Gabby's first winter batch. It's been a lot of work but worth it. I will skip Gabby's next heat cycle. Seven puppies have been hard on her. I plan on breeding Holly. Her puppies, because she is a Corgi, will be worth much more. I will let her go one, maybe two heat cycles before I breed her IF I find a suitable male. The trick to selling puppies is to breed what you know are cute, personable and smart. Breeding a so so female to just any dog isn't smart. My puppies aren't jobs....two of them are barking at each other right now and there's this smell......wafting...down the hallway....LOL Lori