Wednesday, July 2, 2025

Quack Companions – Should You Keep Ducks as Pets?

Are ducks good pets? Can you really raise them just for companionship—not for eggs or meat? In this video, we take a deep dive into the surprisingly charming world of ducks as pets. From cuddly ducklings to full-grown feathered friends, we’re exploring what it really takes to keep ducks purely for joy, not production.

We’ll walk you through the best duck breeds for companionship (like the friendly Pekin, the quirky Muscovy, and the playful Rouen), what daily care looks like, and whether indoor or outdoor duck life is best. We’ll also cover the pros and cons of duck ownership—because while ducks can be affectionate and fun, they’re also extremely messy.

Whether you’re a homesteader, hobby farmer, animal lover, or just duck-curious, this guide is packed with honest, experience-backed insights to help you decide if ducks belong in your life—not just in your pond.

If you’ve ever wondered whether a duck could be your new best friend, this one’s for you.




#ducksaspets #hobbyfarming #homesteadinglife #backyardducks #duckcare #petducks #andersenacres #farmlife #ducklings #raisingducks #homesteadanimals #rouenduck #pekinduck #muscovyduck #homesteadcompanions

Farm Vlog – A Rabbit Rescue and a Mystery Duck?!

Welcome back to Andersen Acres! Today’s vlog might seem quiet on camera, but behind the scenes it was anything but boring. While carrying our eight fluffy livestock guardian puppies out to their pen, Tequila—our heroic Great Pyrenees—suddenly charged into the bush. Moments later, she emerged with one of our escaped brown rex rabbits crouched between her front legs, gently nudging her to safety. A raccoon had been attacking her, and thanks to Tequila’s quick action, Stump is banged up but safe.

Then there’s the duck math. We started with six ducks, added three juveniles and one baby, sold the three juveniles… and somehow, we still have eight ducks. And the extra one? A full-grown Cayuga. Where it came from, we don’t know. No one around here even has Cayugas. So we’ve got ourselves a feathered mystery on our hands!

This video is part of our daily hobby farm life here on Andersen Acres. Even when the footage is calm, the stories behind it are wild. Whether you're into livestock guardian dogs, backyard poultry, or just love a good farm mystery, you’ll find something here.




#hobbyfarming #homesteadinglife #farmlife #ducksofinstagram #rabbitrescue #greatpyrenees #mysteryduck #andersenacres

Tuesday, July 1, 2025

Farm Fights Episode 7 - Raw Milk, Health Food or Health Hazard

In this month’s episode of Farm Fights – Controversies in the Hobby Farming World, we’re tackling a topic that stirs up strong opinions across the farming community: raw milk.

Is it a wholesome, natural superfood? Or a dangerous gamble for your health? The answer might surprise you.

Join me as I break down the science behind pasteurization, explore the real risks of raw milk, and bust some of the most common myths surrounding it — including one major misconception about raw milk cheese. This isn’t about fear or hype — it’s about facts. Whether you drink raw milk yourself, sell it, or are just curious about the controversy, this episode is for you.

I’m not here to tell you what to do — I’m here to make sure you’re informed.

👉 Stick around for a full Q&A session at the end where I answer the most frequently asked questions about raw milk, safety, legality, and more.

🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe and hit the bell so you never miss an episode of Farm Fights.




#RawMilk
#PasteurizedMilk
#FarmFightsPodcast
#HobbyFarming
#MilkSafety
#DairyFarming
#ControversialTopics
#AndersenAcres
#HomesteadingDebates
#RawMilkVsPasteurized
#CheesemakingMyths
#KnowYourFood
#FoodSafety
#SmallFarmLife
#InformedChoices

Vent Disease in Rabbits – What It Is and How to Prevent It

Vent disease, also known as rabbit syphilis, is a serious and often misunderstood condition that can spread quickly through a rabbitry if left unchecked. In this video, we’re talking all about what vent disease is, how it spreads, what symptoms to watch for, and—most importantly—how to treat and prevent it in your rabbits.

Whether you raise rabbits for meat, fiber, pets, or show, understanding diseases like this is essential to keeping your animals healthy and your breeding program on track. We’ll go over what the lesions look like, how the infection affects both bucks and does, why a pregnant doe might miscarry, and how penicillin can be used (safely!) to treat the condition under veterinary guidance.

You’ll also learn about responsible breeding practices, quarantine protocols, and how to spot early signs of illness before they become a major issue. This is a must-watch for anyone raising rabbits or thinking about adding rabbits to their homestead or hobby farm.

If you’ve ever dealt with vent disease—or have questions about rabbit health—drop a comment below and join the conversation!

🐇 Perfect for:

Hobby farmers

Homesteaders

Rabbit breeders

Animal lovers

Backyard pet owners

🔍 Learn how to:

Recognize vent disease symptoms

Treat infected rabbits safely

Prevent disease spread in your herd

Make informed decisions about breeding




#rabbitcare #ventdisease #hobbyfarming #rabbitbreeding #homesteading #rabbithealth #backyardrabbits #rabbitry #animalcare #andersenacres