Fowl Play: Small Farm Chats Jacqueline Mcleish & Laura Bergmann

Is Arancauna a beach that Americans holiday at? We aren't sure, honestly, it's unlikely that we can be bothered to find out. There's gardening and sleep to be had. We are genuinely interested in how egg colour works though, do let us know if you have answers on that. 

In this episode, Jackie admits that she has joined the 'cluck side' (apologies for the terrible pun). With her 4 new chickens roaming the yard, she and Laura talk through the joy of rainbow eggers, integrating new chickens at a young age, whether rabbits are appropriate weeding tools, and if they are cuddlier than chickens. Jacke talks for slightly too long about the names and breeds of her hens, but that's what we're hear for (sorry again for the puns). 

Laura is accompanied by her newest squeaky of her brood, which means *bonus adorable newborn noises for inclined listeners*.  

Laura shares that her girls have submitted to peer pressure, following the example led by her new ISA brown mix - with all hens busting out a bounty of eggs. 

Jackie and Laura return to the pod, reflecting on the hectic few months it has been adding to their human families. This episode covers learning what to prioritise in the garden and coop when you have very little time and energy, and the realities of raising ducks and chicks from eggs to adulthood.

In this long-awaited episode Laura details how she introduced day old chicks to a broody hen. Jackie talks about her experience hatching ducklings from multiple egg sources. This episode was recorded at the end of summer, so some seasonal references may seem out of date to winter listeners!

In this episode Jackie discusses the mechanics of duck mating and egg-incubation fails. Laura talks techniques on turning a free-range rabbit into a helpful garden companion. The Fowl Play crew also talk about ant-farming aphids, money saving tips on using what you’ve got for garden edging.

In this Episode, Jackie has her first crack at incubating her Runner duck eggs. She does not rate the cheap incubator she bought but is cautiously optimistic that this batch may work out anyway. Laura details the marvellous plant haul she scored from a local Canberra nursery during lockdown (Click and Collect FTW). 

In this episode, Laura and Jackie chat with Rachel - an Expat from the USA who has filled the yard of her rental in Canberra with half a truckload of horse manure, some chickens, and an abundantly fruitful veggie plot.

Rachel studied Environmental Science in the cornfields of Ohio and swiftly became a 'seedling queen', she's been obsessed with growing ever since. Since becoming friends, Rachel has become a treasured resource for Laura on all things productive gardening. Listen to this content-rich conversation if you've ever wanted to hear more about seed saving, cross-pollinating veggies, direct sew vs seed raising, seed catalogues, soil quality in the USA vs Australia .... and of course whether chickens or ducks are superior.