Idlewild Homestead and Orchard

05/29/2026

05/28/2026

We have the opportunity to foster an outdoor livestock guardian dog to try out if it's a good fit for protecting our ducks from coyotes. It came on suddenly under specific circumstances so I am not that well researched but we'd love to help out if we can. We know he is a sweet gentle boy out of the puppy phase and good with kids and up to date on everything so he meets all of our safety and financial concerns but there is a lot of unknowns on our part about the breed so we are diving into learning before we commit to even a weekend visit because we always have to put the animals we have already committed to for life, first and foremost. Please share everything I need to know if we choose to accept this adventure! If you have experience with great pyranees, what do we need to know *if* we decide to move forward?

05/28/2026

05/27/2026

In real time, this is how we get our ducks to come for bedtime. We bell train our three free ranging flocks for safety reasons and now it's the most whimsical part of the evening! They are in a predator proof quack shack overnight. It is important we can get them inside safely and quickly during the day too tho in case of predators, weather, or any other emergency. Trying to gather three flocks of ducks in a hurry is nearly impossible without practice and snack motivation! This way even our six year old can call them from anywhere on the property!

05/22/2026

😏

05/22/2026

Some bunny is so happy to have the herb gardens flourishing again.

05/13/2026

What is the snake doing high up in the trees?! Wrong answers only :)

05/10/2026

Happy Mother's Day to Kathryn Steddum. Thanks for being the person who keeps all of our ducks in a row!

05/08/2026

Morning coffee with a spotted neighbor

05/08/2026

"Words of affirmation" is our love language 🫶🏻 We would love if you took a moment to leave a review on our page. Thank you!

We are always so grateful for your reviews!