There was no daylight when my children came into my bedroom this morning, demanding breakfast and hugs. I stumbled out of bed to check the time and change Isaac’s nappy and wasn’t impressed to discover that it was just after 5am and bitterly cold.
Words were spoken and children were sent back to bed, while Amy screamed at me “BUT I CAN’T SLEEP” and Isaac wailed that he “NEEDA MUMMY BED”. It wasn’t an ideal way to start the day.
20 minutes later and Amy had gone silent and Isaac was snuggled against my back, poking me in the legs with his cold feet.
“MUMMY! I SWEEPING NOW. I SWEEPING. MUMMY! DOOK! I SWEEPING.”
Apparently he needs an audience to be sleeping. Fun times, fun times.
The morning improved slightly once Isaac started to snore and we woke up at the somewhat more respectable hour of 8.30am, to snuggle and hug and watch a DVD. Amy is off school this week while she recovers from the ‘flu and I am taking advantage of our slow mornings.
However, things started to go downhill when I went outside to feed the poultry and discovered one young duck unable to walk. A broken leg, I suspected at the time, and she needed dealing with.
I whinged to my parents about it for a bit and then Nathan and I headed outside to do the job. An hour later, the duck was no longer in pain and I’m getting duck for dinner. It feels like it should be a win/win situation, but anything involving death doesn’t normally make me happy. I’m not a kill-y sort of girl.
I was able to rule out a broken leg however, as I skun and gutted, instead finding some pretty major internal bleeding and quite a few broken ribs. With the wind here lately, I reckon she’s had a crash landing and hurt herself that way. Wind can be downright dangerous for ducks and she was only very new to flying as it was.
This is the reality of raising ducks and chickens. Sometimes things happen and you need to kill them, before you have time to come to terms with it. Luckily, most of the time the killing has purpose and we end our day eating ethically raised meat. Chooks that got a chance to peck and free range and live and ducks that get the same thing. It makes their lives worthwhile when they end with a purpose.
So, how was your morning?
I swear, for a split second, I thought you were going to show us the broken ribs and bleeding.
Those poor ducks in the video! (God they’re cute though).
I wouldn’t do that to people, not without lots of warning and hiding it behind a cut. The ribs I could only feel, they’re not easily visible on the cleaned up bird. The blood though, there was a lot of blood and clots inside her, poor girl. I’m glad I found her early and that she wasn’t hiding anywhere, or stuck in one of the neighbouring paddocks.
Oh, poor duck! Mmmm, duck.
Those poor little ducklings, flipping all over the place!
Morning was arse. Did something to l/hip in my sleep. Massive muscle spasms. Beefy’s rubbed it, all the muscles are still rock hard. Not fun. Boob marginally better but clothing brushing against it still painful as hell. Also purple. Mornings just suck. They should be done away with entirely.
I alternately laughed and then felt really bad for the ducklings. Rather windy!
Ouch? I buggered the left side of my pelvis, which 2 days later is only just starting to feel better. We’ve got a special painkillery type oil, which helps, it has eucalyptus and vanilla and stuff. Better than regular massage oil anyway. And your boob? I say go back to the doctor woman!
I didn’t kill anything – but I may have wanted to.
🙂
Hehehehe.
I got a cuddle from my big boy and resfrained from killing the pests annoying me *snort*
Sounds like a decent morning!
I love, love, love mornings when I can go back to sleep instead of having to get up!
My morning was so much better than yesterdays when I had a migraine that had me crying all the way home. Really, today was a breeze. Breezy weather too, trees thrashing about.
Sad about the duck having a crash landing, must have been painful for her, better that she’s out of it now.
Isaac needs some fluffy warm bedsocks, or footie pyjamas.
He does, definitely! We have lots of trouble keeping socks on him. He’s not a fan.
Tough morning! I was raised on a farm so I get the need to send the duck to the great barnyard in the sky. It doesn’t make it an easier tho. I remember my mum always cried when pigs or cattle were sent to the slaughterhouse.
There’s been no mercy-killing here yet, but the day is young
XXX
It was a tough morning and I really hate killing things. I hope you got through your day with no death!
I got up before 4am and sorted clothes.
I think you’re weird. In the nicest possible way. The last time I did something like that, I was nesting and stressed.
I had a perfect nights sleep. Sorry for gloating. **Whispering** my kids are sleeping really well atm. (Dont like to say that too loud because you know what will happend if I do!!) Oh poor Ms Ducky. I am a farmers daughter and should be cool with the duck for dinner thing – but I’m a reject of a farmers daughter. I like my meat on a tray with no resemblence to it’s orginal form. Yes I am a sad case!! But I am glad Ms Ducky is no longer in pain. Send sleep in vibes to your house tonight ms V.
I hope your kids pass the good sleep on to mine!
The duck was delicious and while I hate killing, I really like eating meat we’ve raised ourselves.
I admit it, I just don’t think I could skin it and clean it. I think the way you are raising them and using them is awesome, I just don’t think I could do it. I can’t eat fish if the head is still attached . . . must be a city girl thing.
I’m okay with the cleaning, once I’ve made the first cut, it’s just like working with meat from the packet, if slightly more feathery and feety. It’s the killing I hate and the death throes afterwards.
Awww those poor ducks in the video.
5am starts are horrid I’m glad the children went back to sleep for you.
Sad about your duck. I hope you got a tasty dinner so something positive came from it. Can you make duck stock, like chicken stock?
I know, poor little things! Luckily ducklings are sort of like tumbleweeds as it is, but still, not fair!
Yep, I made duck stock. I’m debating whether to make duck risotto for dinner tonight, or duck soup. I think risotto might win.
Poor duck lucky you. Hope the supper was warming. Its supposed to be summer here but outside the wind is awailing and the heavens are crying big enormous tears all over the washing which has been on the line for a long time.
My morning was shite frankly. No details required.
Dinner was lovely, yes. I hate the killing, but enjoy the proceeds. I hope you get some summer sun and that today is nicer. xx
Those poor little ducks!! And your poor duck as well! Hope tomorrow morning is better.
Today has been nicer, definitely. If we ignore that I’m coming down with the flu and feeling decidedly odd.
Oh those poor little ducks – that was so sad. How stressful for the poor Mummy duck not to be able to protect her little ones from the elements. Poor little ones. I am so amazed by you, there is no way I could kill something and then eat it – I’m just far to squeamish but I applaud you for your ethical meat eating.
Here’s to no more 5am starts. They’ve been happening at our house too & I’m over it!
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