Happy Hearts Farm and Sanctuary

06/09/2026

🦃 Jack Cracks the Case 🦆

This evening, Jack the turkey was determined to figure out how to get into the duck feeder. 😂

For quite a while, he paced around it, stretched his neck, peeked inside, and inspected every angle like he was trying to solve the world’s most important puzzle. The ducks happily continued eating while Jack worked through his plan.

Then it happened.

Jack started scratching around the feeder and accidentally stepped on the part that lifts the lid. Suddenly the lid popped open, and you could almost see the lightbulb go off in his head. 💡🦃

From that moment on, he knew the secret.

We’re not sure if it was intelligence, persistence, or pure luck, but Jack eventually cracked the code and gained access to the duck buffet. The ducks seemed less impressed with his accomplishment than he was. 🤣

Life is never boring with Jack around. Just when you think he’s given up on something, he figures it out!

06/08/2026

💦 Pool Cleaning Day at Happy Hearts Farm & Sanctuary 🦆🪿

One of the less glamorous but very important jobs around the farm is changing out the duck and goose pools! If you’ve ever wondered why their water gets dirty so quickly, it’s because ducks and geese use their pools for absolutely everything—swimming, bathing, eating, playing, and yes… using the bathroom. 😅

Fresh, clean water helps keep their eyes, nostrils, feathers, and skin healthy. It also reduces bacteria, algae growth, and helps prevent illness, especially during the warmer months.

Today was pool-cleaning day, which means dumping, scrubbing, refilling, and then watching everyone immediately jump in and turn it back into muddy soup. 🤣 But seeing them splash, bathe, and enjoy fresh water makes all the work worthwhile.

With over 100 animals in our care, the daily chores never stop, but these little moments remind us why we do it. ❤️

💙🦆🪿

06/08/2026

🐶 They Say Everyone Should Own an Aussie… 🤣

This is Olive at 2:00 AM.

Most normal dogs are asleep.

Olive? Not a chance.

She’ll sleep for a little while, suddenly wake up, and decide it’s time to share all of her thoughts with the world. And trust me, Olive has a lot of thoughts. 😂

In this video, she’s laying next to me, talking up a storm, grumbling, making her little noises, and then escalating the situation by barking and wiggling her butt like she’s trying to make a very important point.

We’re still not entirely sure what she’s arguing about, but she’s absolutely convinced she’s right.

Olive is sweet, hilarious, incredibly smart, and one of the sassiest dogs we’ve ever met. If attitude were an Olympic sport, she’d be bringing home the gold medal. 🥇🐾

So for everyone who says, “Everyone should own an Aussie”…

I’d like to know if they also come with a translator and a mute button. 🤦‍♀️🤣

06/08/2026

🦆 BREAKING NEWS: Local Duck Abandons Rock-Hatching Project 🪨🥚

For the past 5 days, one of our young ducks has been sitting on a “nest.”

The problem?

There were no eggs.

Just rocks.

Every evening I’d check on her, and there she’d be, looking very serious and committed to her life choices. Meanwhile, the rest of us were wondering if she knew something we didn’t.

Tonight, I went out to check on her as usual…

Gone.

No duck.

No eggs.

No shells.

No feathers.

No signs of a struggle.

Just the same pile of rocks.

At this point, we can only assume one of two things happened:

1. She finally realized she was trying to hatch gravel.
2. The rocks hatched and left with her.

Honestly, after living with ducks, both seem equally possible. 🤷‍♀️

We wish her the best in her future endeavors and hope she has learned that baby ducks generally come from eggs, not decorative landscaping.

06/08/2026

🐔 The Brave Little Mama Hen 🐔

Yesterday, Matthew pulled into the driveway and was getting ready to park when he noticed something moving in the pig paddock. Thinking it looked out of place, he went to investigate and found one of our rescue hens proudly leading a group of newly hatched chicks through the pigs’ area.

This little mama wasn’t the least bit intimidated by the 400–500 pound Idaho Pasture Pigs. In fact, she was puffing herself up and charging at them whenever they got too close to her babies! Thankfully, Matthew was able to safely get her and the chicks out of the paddock before anyone got hurt.

We set up a secure brooder area where she can safely raise her babies for the next few weeks. This determined mama is one of our newer rescue hens who disappeared into the woods and surprised us by returning with a whole family in tow.

Based on her coloring and feathered legs, she appears to be a Silver-Laced Cochin or Cochin mix. Cochins are known for being excellent mothers, and she’s certainly proving that!

These adorable little chicks will be available for adoption next week. If you’re interested in giving some farm-raised, mama-raised chicks a loving home, send us a message.

🐔❤️ Sometimes the best surprises come walking out of the woods.

06/08/2026

🌊🐾 Beach Day Adventure! 🐾🌊

Today we took Duke, Charlotte, and Peanut on a trip to the ocean, and they had an amazing time!

With the tide out, there were endless new smells, sand, mud, driftwood, and all kinds of things to explore. The dogs spent their time sniffing, people-watching, and taking in all the sights and sounds of a busy beach day.

One of the things we were most curious about was how Duke would react to a passing train. We didn’t need to worry at all—he simply sat down and watched it go by like it was no big deal. We were so proud of him!

The dogs also passed an unexpected test. A gentleman was enjoying the beautiful weather and taking a nap near the steps leading to the sidewalk. Duke, Charlotte, and Peanut calmly walked right by him without disturbing him or waking him up.

By the end of the trip, Peanut was completely worn out and started nodding off in my arms. Duke didn’t even make it very far into the drive home before he was fast asleep in the truck. Charlotte enjoyed every minute of the adventure and took it all in stride.

Days like this are so important for our dogs. New environments, new sounds, new smells, and positive experiences help build confidence and teach them how to calmly navigate the world around them.

Today was a very good day. ❤️🐾

06/07/2026

06/03/2026

🐓💜 Welcome Mason to Happy Hearts Farm and Sanctuary! 💜🐓

Our newest rescue, Mason, is a handsome little lavender Orpington and approximately 12 weeks old. After arriving, he received a quick health check, including a bug inspection and a listen to his lungs, and everything looked good. Once we knew he was feeling well, we introduced him to our group of 6–7 week old chicks.

Mason wasted no time checking out his temporary coop and exploring the backyard. For now, he’ll have full access to the backyard while he settles in and gets to know his new flock. Of course, around here plans are always changing, and we’re already looking ahead to building a larger coop as our feathered family continues to grow.

One thing we’ve learned at Happy Hearts is that rescue never stays the same for long. Just when you think you’ve got everything figured out, another animal arrives needing a safe place to land. ❤️

A huge thank you to Lisa for reaching out and helping purchase a few bags of feed. Donations like yours help keep full bellies on the many animals that call the sanctuary home, and we are incredibly grateful for your support.

Welcome home, Mason. We can’t wait to love you and watch you grow. 🐥💜

🐓