weather for ducks

Unprecedented floods this summer have brought misery to many and peronal tragedy to more than a few. This time the disaster footage on TV, and the media weather warnings have been very close to home. We see it, we hear it, and talk worriedly about it next day with people we know.

I always feel a sense of collective guilt, that disasters occurring day after day, across the world, do not touch us in the same way. It appears to be something inherent in human nature - perhaps to keep our emotional immunity intact, so we are not overwhelmed and overcome.

Here at the farm, the new hen and duck pen is enduring its own mini-environmental disaster. 'Utter quagmire' about sums it up. But I can't let the birds out for at least 6 days, to 'imprint' their new home upon their internal navigation systems. Looking at the pathetic and miserable state of the hens, I think it has more than imprinted, to the point where they never will want to come back, even if they do remember the way. The ducks, in true 'gone with the wind' style, quite frankly, don't give a damn.