We irrigated our pasture yesterday for one of the last times this season. We’ve gotten into the habit of putting the ducks out in the pasture on irrigation days because they love being ducks.
We found everyone and got them into the pasture, but Izzy was nowhere to be found. Finally, Don found her under a holly bush near the house. I heard him gently shoo her from where she sat and then heard him exclaim, “Oh my!”
Here’s what Izzy was sitting on:
Once Izzy was out in the pasture being a duck, I collected the eggs and took them into the house. The three smaller eggs were cold, but the large egg was warm. I figured that means Izzy had just laid it.
Oh, the eggcitement!
Just look at what Izzy did:
Pretty impressive, don’t you think? Once I finished oohing and aahing over the eggs, I put them in an egg carton to store in the refrigerator. The lid didn’t close all the way on the corner where Izzy’s egg sat:
Thank you, sweet Izzy:
Thank you, sweet Hillary:
And thank you in advance, sweet Emmy:
Our next step is getting the girls to use the nesting boxes in Duckingham Palace:
♥
September 26, 2011 at 4:48 am
Oh Justina, what wonderful big eggs the girls lay! You have to stock up your recipe-collection involving eggs:-)
Your pasture looks like a wildlife sanctuary. Lucky ducks!
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September 26, 2011 at 6:00 am
How “eggciting”!!
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September 26, 2011 at 6:01 am
Duckingham Palace. That’s a good one!
I have the best carrot cake recipe that says it’s even better with duck eggs. If that floats your boat, I’d be happy to share the recipe. 🙂
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September 26, 2011 at 6:22 am
C,
Really?! Absolutely, positively yes, please. 🙂
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September 27, 2011 at 6:38 am
Best Carrot Cake, Ever*
4 eggs (duck eggs make this exra good, so I’m told!)
1 1/2 c. vegetable oil
2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
3 cups grated carrots
1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts or pecans
CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
16 oz powdered sugar
8 ox. cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
1 tsp vanilla
beat until smooth
CARROT CAKE:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 13 X 9 baking pan (I sometimes do it in two rounds instead). Beat eggs and oil in large bowl. Add all the dry ingredients except carrots and nuts and mix well. Stir in carrots and nuts. Pour into baking pan and bake for 45-50 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely then frost. I sprinkle a few chopped nuts on top of the frosting. This cake is even better when its a day or 2 old and it freezes well. Enjoy!
(* I wish I could claim it, but this recipe came from Traci on the Sawyer Creek Appaloosas website)
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September 27, 2011 at 7:12 am
C,
Thank you so much. It shall be made here with duck eggs. 🙂 How exciting!
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September 26, 2011 at 6:25 am
Duckingham Palace – :LOL!!!!
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September 26, 2011 at 6:32 am
How do they taste? I’ve heard duck eggs are richer.
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September 26, 2011 at 6:45 am
CeeCee,
We haven’t tried them yet, but are eager to know how they taste. I’ll keep you posted. 🙂
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September 26, 2011 at 6:56 am
Lol, you shocked me–I was expecting you to let Izzy raise a brood! Oh, yes, they are food, too.
I think it would hilarious to paint little bear-hatted guards on the outside of the girls’ palace. 😀
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September 26, 2011 at 7:13 am
Eggs! So exciting. I have a little chair next to the chicken coop to watch Chickie TV and so that I can be there when our young hens lay their first eggs. However, Albertina keeps reminding me that “a watched hen doesn’t lay!”
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September 26, 2011 at 7:21 am
I always thank my hens for the eggs. Good Luck moving their egg laying to the palace. I get maybe 5 or 6 in my nesting boxes, 2 or 3 in the straw in Gunny and Harry’s pen, 2 in one evergreen bush, 1 or 2 in another bush. You see how it goes? :-)) What will your ducks do for water during your non-irrigation months?
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September 26, 2011 at 7:43 pm
Denise,
Thanks. That makes me feel much better. I found two more eggs this afternoon in a different “nest” on the ground over by the raspberry bushes. 🙂
During non-irrigation months… we still have our kiddie pool, which I’m sure we’ll make very good use of.
Thank you again!
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September 26, 2011 at 7:36 am
I’ll be snorting over Duckingham palace all morning.
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September 26, 2011 at 8:16 am
My! Izzy’s a rockstar! I LOVE Duckingham palace. It’s an absolutely suitable abode.
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September 26, 2011 at 8:26 am
Isabelle is the name for today 🙂
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September 26, 2011 at 7:44 pm
Mel,
Yes, it is. 🙂
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September 26, 2011 at 8:51 am
Incredible finding for Don and we will await to hear from you about how it tastes for your breakfast or whatever you plan to make…Proud Papa and Mama!
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September 26, 2011 at 8:54 am
Oh, oh, one more thing, happy wetting time for them in temporary pasture’s lake!
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September 26, 2011 at 9:11 am
How much did Izzy’s impressive egg weigh? These are important details, you know…. 🙂
I love that they can swim in your pasture!!
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September 26, 2011 at 7:46 pm
Danni,
Now, how did I know you were going to ask that? 😀 You’re right, these are important details. We don’t have a scale to measure ounces yet though. Have one you care to recommend?
Did you see I recreated your “egg counter”? 🙂
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September 26, 2011 at 10:15 am
Hehehe. Duckingham. hehehe.
Seriously I have got to work that into a song or something.
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September 26, 2011 at 10:39 am
Egg-cellent work, ladies!! Can’t wait to hear a flavor report!
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September 26, 2011 at 6:50 pm
Wow, Izzy, Hilary, and Emmy are so very pretty! I can’t wait for a flavor report too!
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September 27, 2011 at 11:39 am
You’ve certainly got some ‘right royal’ nesting accommodation there and the girls should be seriously impressed! Watch out though, from our experience muscovies are born to be mothers and you might discover that they find their own secret place, only to be revealed when the new mum emerges and proudly presents her brood!
P.S. Scrambled duck eggs with smoked salmon is a frequent option on our B&B menu – a match made in heaven!
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