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Pips 'n Chicks

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11/01/2026

Breed of the week: Runners!

Staying on the waterfowl kick with the upright ones. Runner ducks, sometimes called Indian Runners, actually came from Indonesia where they were used in rice patties (big, flooded lagoons) to keep out snails and pests.

Admitted pretty quickly into the APA (1898), there are 8 recognized varieties and all are in the lightweight class. They are also the only birds to be judged out of cage - they should be judged in a ring and able to run around. Usually, you'll want to look for the most upright, tubular shaped ones. Then you can get picky with the bill and head shape. At fairs, it's usually pretty easy to sort based on body shape and size alone.

Anyone raise these guys? Tips and tricks for new exhibitors? Other things to look for when breeding?

Photos from the BV pen at WIPS, 2026

11/01/2026

Hi peeps! A quick note as more auction lots come in - please do not use AI altered photos. Small, manual photo touch ups (like cropping, lighting adjustments and background blur) are ok, but AI changes your whole picture whether you want it to or not, and it becomes too hard to tell what is real. I am not comfortable approving them for people to bid on.

If you sent some in already with AI images, it's not a big deal (you're not the only one) - I'll kick it back to edit with different photos! I should have made it more clear from the get go. It's ok if they aren't perfect, buyers would rather know exactly what they're looking at. We're always happy to help you or connect you with someone locally to take pictures too if needed.

Thank you!

*PFA from WISP 2026*

10/31/2026

First (and only) show for these two this year- I know it's pretty small and unsanctioned, but still happy with how they did. Glad to talk with the judge afterwards to get feedback on the placing and things to look for in next spring's hatches!

10/31/2026

I got quite sick this morning, but still made it out to one of my favorite swaps! Glad to see some of my poultry peeps again and all of the cool animals. Luckily only came home with what i came for (plus two more for good measure 😉) and had some good conversations after the show

10/29/2026

Just a little chicken butt running about!

10/27/2026

We have over 30 lots prepped for the November Auctions set!! Who's getting excited? I definitely can't wait to show you guys some of the fantastic birds and breeders we have!

(No, Mr. Tater Tot won't be in it... but for the first time since 2022, we will be selling birds publicly, and have a lot in the sale! Stay tuned!)

If there are breeds you want to see or breeders you think should consign, tag them below please. We'd love to help you sell your birds and hatching eggs (or find even more)...

10/25/2026

It's been a busy, busy week here!

On top of all of the Oso mischief, we got electric installed in the barn (plus a new floodlight for chores!), a new furnace and gas tank put in (no more literal freezing nights inside) the concrete work started, plus major revisions for the auctions backend, protocols submitted for a potential USDA research project next spring, and tons of outreach.

This morning it felt so nice to sleep in till the rooster crows and watch the sun come up- normally, I am already to work before the sunrise, after chores and everything else that comes with early mornings.

It's a lot of work, but I know just how lucky I am to have this life. I am building something beyond worthwhile. To see how far this old, abandoned farm has come in just the past few months is pretty amazing.

10/24/2026

Breed of the week: Muscovy!

A fan favorite of many (hi Otto) these guys are the anomaly in the duck world because unlike almost every other duck in the waterfowl, they do not come from Mallards. In fact, Muscovies are actually native to Texas, Mexico, and the South Americas.

Thier red bumps around their head are called "carunckles" and completely normal. I actually quite like them for newer exhibitors interested in waterfowl. While big, they are easy to handle while having quite a bit of personality, and are kind of like the Orpingtons of the duck world.

Their type is pretty straightforward: you want a broad breast and wide back. Unlike other breeds in the heavyweight duck class, like Pekins, these should carry themselves pretty well off the ground. I really like to see solid, stocky feet on all of the muscovies because they need to be built to last. Their carunkling should not be extreme enough at any point that the bird cannot see. Overall, despite being a heavyweight meat breed, they really should be functional first.

I have seen some really good white Muscovies coming into fairs and shows in WI, which is so much fun because typically the dominating variety is black. They do come in black, blue, chocolate, silver, and white, (all APA recognized) though I have never seen a silver in person.

Anyways, that's a lot of rambling to tell you about a funky looking breed :) Who all raises muscovies? Let's see yours down below!

10/23/2026

I came home to a bloodbath... :/ Oso decided to learn how to open doors while I was at work. One of them being the basement door, where he stays while I am gone. The rest of them being every other door in the house. In his free reign, he knocked over furniture and tore the tip of his tail.

Now, before you go saying "oh poor baby", this dog had ZERO regrets. He was very happy to meet me at the door and show me what he did, all while wagging his tail and sending blood EVERYWHERE, with no safe place to put him and no way to keep a bandage on. Several phone calls to my dear vet friend Ben, my training mentor Jennifer, Otto, and my Dad, and we got the worst of it figured out.

I spent the rest of the afternoon feeling a bit like a serial killer, scrubbing blood off the walls and carpet and ceiling and everything in between. Not to mention putting a lock on the basement door... 🫣

It's never a boring day on the farm, that's for dang sure. As a side note, if anyone knows of any actually indestructible dog toys to keep this guy happy during the day, please send them my way!

10/22/2026

Probably a great ad for your local concrete company 😆 But the gaping hole in the wall is now only half a hole! And it's mostly even layers from here, which makes tomorrow's job much easier. Gotta start somewhere!

Address

Seymour, WI
54165

Website

http://www.pipsnchicks.com/, http://www.poultrypromanagement.com/, http://www.poultryauctions.co/, http://www.virtualliv

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