I dont actually know the breed of the ducks but we got them from people who breed them for eating and for their eggs.  They are white and black and fat!  (technical term haha)

Should I find out what breed they are?  I was thinking about going to the library and finding some books about ducks - its like studying a uni degree (which I am also currently doing!) learning all this farming stuff!  Where to start?  I need an ipod app for farming questions maybe??

Just had a thought, I read the book 'Farming in a Small Way' and found this a great resource.  Have you read that? 

Hi

I can't help you with a specific query and admire you entrrepreneurship.  But learning by experience can be great but costly.  Develop a business plan, put it into writing even for a self sustaining farmlet.  Include some self education.  Don't become another bankrupt statistic.

Small business ventures are more likely to succeed if they have a plan.

Losing livestock through ignorance can be cruel to the animal and costly to you.  Ask questions and consider cost/risk before proceeding with a project.  Try to avoid impulsiveness .... 

Don't forget to have a back up plan for when things go wrong. Sadly, my brother in law died last year in a farm accident.  His wfie didn't know how to operate the water pump, change gas cylinders, attach trailer to car etc etc. .  During her breavement it was an exta difficult time for her. - she had to learn, manage and cope.....She could have easliy gone under if her family and neighbours didn't step in to help.

Good luck and welcome to farming....

Congrats on reaching your dream ;) We did the big move four years ago and were in the same position as you. 

We have found the best thing to do is focus on one animal, get to understand what there needs and requirements are, and how you want to raise them, and then once a little more comfortable move on to the next type of animal you would like to own and raise.  This just makes it all a little less overwhelming, and because your focused on one breed at a time it makes learning a little easier. Of course then you also need to think about land managment, water management and all those other non animal duties as well, that if managed well will improve the productivity of your farm to no end. 

Another recommendation would be to read read and read.  Some great books we have read include anything by Joel Salatin, Holistic Management by Allan Savery, and Natural Farming by Pat Colby. 

Cheers and enjoy the journey, it will be great one :)

Carrie