Raise ducks for fertilizer, pest control and plentiful, delicious eggs.
Date/Time: Saturday, May 2, 10am - 4pm.
Cost: $100.
Description: Pastured ducks perform a wonderful range of services in a forest garden or permaculture system and produce more, larger and more nutritious eggs than chickens. We’ll discuss the many reasons to consider ducks as a partner in your system, and how to best use them as helpers in vegetable garden and forest garden settings. Topics covered will include:
- Duck breeds
- Sourcing and raising ducks
- Movable duck house design
- Feeding and watering strategies
- Use of electronet fencing and strategies for predator deterrence
- Cooking with duck eggs
- Growing plants for duck forage
During the workshop we will practice a key task in keeping pastured ducks: moving the duck’s rotating pasture to a new location, which we do every 1 to 2 months.
Lead Instructor: Lincoln Smith
Location: Forested in Bowie, MD. Click here for map. The forest garden is in the field next to D&S General Store and Gas Station located at 3507 Enterprise Road, Bowie, MD 20721. When you see the gas station, you're very close. There is a yellow gate 100' south of the gas station. Looking at the gas station from the road, the gate is to your right, somewhat hidden in the trees. Drive through the yellow gate into the field. Parking is to the left. Walk around the big field clockwise to come into the fenced forest garden area. We will gather under the canopy.
Qualifications: Participants should feel comfortable working outside in any weather. Some heavy lifting might be required. Participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Sturdy footwear is required as well as
appropriate outdoor clothing. Please bring a pair of work gloves if you have them.
Food: Samples of duck egg cuisine will be provided, but please bring lunch.
Registration: Pay below or email Lincoln to let us know you're coming.
Registration closes 24 hours before class time.