Fowl Play: Small Farm Chats

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 This episode was recorded at the end of summer, so some seasonal references may seem out of date to winter listeners!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.

Want to learn how to remove astroturf? Laura shares her ‘learning by doing' experience. Jackie also has a very exciting duckdate to share in this snappy snap lockdown chat.

Well and truly back from a winter podcasting hiatus Laura is excited by the chance to get summer veg growing with a long season after her brassicas took a beating at the hands of cabbage moths. Jackie's duck cupboard is having issues with moisture, which is motivating a sped-up timeline for a bigger space (and more ducks!). In this episode, Laura gushes over her newest Poultry read and the concept of chicken maths, and the small farmers' dream of harvesting luffa, Bantam Australorp hens, a chicken tractor, a native flower-filled front yard, and a future guest interview episode on the podcast.

Jackie uses herself as a unit of measurement to describe how tall trees are, and Laura reveals her imprecise pruning technique. Jackie also gets a surprise mandarin tree, and Laura talks plans for spring.

Laura and Jackie chat through their first-ever visit to a Poultry show! They reveal their favorite take away's from the day including blow-dried chickens, the appeals of very small and very large breeds, and learning the details of flare-legged hens. Also, feat. some super exclusive audio recorded onsite at the event... (read: Jackie and Laura fawning over some pint-sized varieties of game chickens).

Jackie has rescued an Indian Runner duck from a local shelter to bulk up the presence of her vulnerable Call duck pair. She reveals how the new duck has adapted to the yard and routine. Laura is having trouble with cabbage moths and frost in Canberra, she gives some insight into how she'll approach her winter garden next time 'round. Meanwhile, in the Shoalhaven, Jackie has discovered numerous fruiting tomatoes and eggplants, as well as some vigorous potato crops, intriguing given that it's the coldest month of the year!

This chat covers even more than Laura's garden frost cloth. We talk through sewing pantry seeds to reap mustard greens, using your dog to meet neighbours so you can offload an over supply of Jerusalem artichokes, Laura's mild fear of Canberra's lake swans, cheeky dogs thieving chicken eggs, mulling over moulting, Jackie's prowling neighbours' cat and ideating adding a rescue duck to the flock as an impulsive intimidation tactic.

Pony has arrived and is settling in at Laura's small farm. Laura is excited to harvest her Jerusalem Artichokes and Jacke has some questions for Laura about setting a future chicken coop of her own.

Anecdotes abound in this episode as Laura and Jackie have a catch up about the challenges of cats and toddlers in the garden, and the excitement of Laura getting a dog named Pony to add to her small farm.

“Put me in the proper ground, I'm stuck in my seed tray!” Laura and Jackie talk about how their flocks and gardens are dealing with all the rain, and talk about their plans and processes for autumn planting.

In this short chat, Laura and Jackie talk through how the ducks have settled into their new digs at Jackie's place. We also talk through new small crop harvests as Autumn begins here in Australia. Apologies for the clicking noises in this episode folks! we were ironing out some technical difficulties, Laura has done marvellously in editing this together. We hope you enjoy this friendly conversation. 

Jackie and Laura talk with their long-awaited first guest, Laura's chicken daddy and coop expert Johnny Debs. He talks through the lessons learned and design principles of their backyard-defining chicken palace.

'Who is this woman with a broom!' Friends of the pod will know how excited Jackie is to have recorded this episode. She recounts the arrival of her ducks, Lori (Loralyn) and Phil (Philip), including the trials of ushering them into the garage at night through pumpkin vines and over compost heaps. Laura has been punished by the poultry gods this week she's troubleshooting chickens malting and going broody. She shares her effective protocol for dealing with a broody hen.   

‘You can't bury your wife in the garden!' We discuss our favourite podcasts and youtube channels for gardening, poultry, and waterfowl inspiration. Jackie reveals her future duck's names and has a whinge about just how long it takes to prepare for them. We also question if mini pigs are real or not... Jackie is not convinced.

'My pumpkins are bananas.' This episode starts with an update from Jackie and Laura on 'what's been growin' on' (queue audible groan). Jackie chats about prepping her yard for the impending arrival of ducks and Laura reminisces about the long (but thorough) process of building and planning her coop. 

'If people like dinosaurs they should get chickens.' Introducing Jackie, Laura and their suburban farms with chickens, ducks, and ideas for future gardening ventures.