RBR News | May 29, 2015

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Around the Ranch
We have been playing mother duck for the past 28 days, and it has finally paid off! Twelve little duckings hatched out of our incubator this Thursday. 

Incubating duck eggs is surprisingly simple (especially if you compare it to what we mammals must go through in pregnancy). A fertilized duck egg needs to be rotated a couple of times a day, but otherwise, given the right temperature and humidity, it takes care of itself. However we have been checking on them three times per day: rotating them, and misting them with water. And after twenty eight short days, out popped one of the cutest little things you’ve ever seen.

A duckling can take anywhere from an hour to 38 hours to find its way out if it’s shell. This made for a fun couple days of welcoming each duckling into the world one at a time. 

We hatched both Welch harlequins and Peking ducks from eggs collected from our free-ranging ducks here at the Ranch. Our little ones will soon join that group as egg layers and Ranch pest control. Click here to learn more about ducks at the Ranch.

Available Products
During this time of year, we only have a limited supply of products available for purchase at the Ranch, so we suggest calling ahead to confirm availability – 970.927.6760.

• We have a steady supply of our locally famous, pasture-raised, non-GMO, Animal Welfare Approved, delicious chicken eggs. 
• Baby kale, arugula, and salad are currently available. Also available are limited amounts of bunched leeks, kale, chard, baby chard, spinach, and collards. Our sugar snap peas are just starting to come in as well! 
• A full pork inventory is available including chops, ribs, bacon, roasts, and several flavors of sausage.  

Products can be purchased at the Ranch during open hours, Monday – Friday 9AM – 5PM and Saturday 9AM – 5PM. Please call ahead to confirm availability or to place an order for pick-up.

Products will be available for sale at the Rock Bottom Ranch booth at the Aspen Saturday Market, beginning June 13, and the Basalt Sunday Market, beginning June 14.

Arugula and salad are also for sale at Meat & Cheese Restaurant and Farm Shop in Aspen. Silo Restaurant and town. in Carbondale also feature salad mix and arugula on their current menus. 

~ Harper Kaufman, Agriculture Mananger

Rock Bottom Ranch is open Monday – Friday 9AM – 5PM and Saturday from 9AM – 1PM with free Farm Tours each day at 11AM. For questions about Rock Bottom Ranch please email Jason at jsmith@aspennature.org.