08/02/2026
Does anyone remember the story of Joe/Jo from earlier this spring?
To remind you, I or someone, mistakenly put a chicken egg in the waterfowl incubator - because sometimes it is difficult to differentiate duck eggs from chicken eggs.
Waterfowl eggs must have a higher humidity during the incubation period of 28 days - AND they must be taken out daily and misted heavily with water and cooled for 20 minutes. These processes emulate the mother getting off the nest daily to eat, drink and take a bath in the pool, so that's why it is better to have a waterfowl incubator separate from a land fowl incubator. Chickens and turkeys do not take water baths and they are not off the nest nearly as long, so they require lower humidity and no cooling period - and DEFINITELY no mists of water.
Well, Jo (now short for Josephine) surprised us. Not only did she survive/thrive with the waterfowl incubation procedure, but, since chicken eggs take only 21 days to hatch, Jo hatched in the egg tray about three levels above the bottom and fell from the top to land safely by herself. She began chirping softly when I was in the hatchery room one day preparing to mist and rest the waterfowl eggs, and I ended up taking her out and giving her a home alongside a few newly hatched turkeys, since we didn't have any chicks that were here same age.
Jo ended up being a girl, and here she is almost all grown up (in the pic)! She’s gentle and will eat from your hands - because, of course, we spoiled her immensely, and growing up with baby turkeys means there's more care given by these gentle little beings - children of the infamous Naggy here on the farm. Jo is full of personality, independent, filled with self-reinforcing joy for life - and is a curious adventurer around the farm. She’s often seen leading younger birds who are new to the pasture - showing them where water and feed are. She also LOVES to eat invasive beetles of all kinds - helping us control their populations.
She’s a “barnyard beauty,” which is a fancy way of saying “non pure-bred" or "mutt,” so she’s a mix of some rooster and some hen that lays a light bluish grey egg that is as big as a duck egg. We have no idea of her ancestry but that is no big deal. She is undoubtedly supposed to be here, and she teaches us lessons daily, as follows.
We can survive and thrive beyond adversity and uncertainty. We can endure and become better and better versions of our selves - enjoying life in self-sought joy and exploring the greatness of the world with curiosity and kindness.
We often can’t control how we got where we are and how hands have dealt us what we have or don’t have, but we can make intentional choices and employ determination even in light of all that has happened to us.
What’s the secret ingredient?
Love.
Yes.
Love.
Jo thrives because of our love and special care - human and animal community together. And she, in turn, shares that love with others. It’s our job - to love and see where acts of love take us all.
Love keeps on giving.
Love makes the difference.
Love overcomes adversity.
Love brings healing and endurance.
All you need is love. (John Lennon)
Live in love today.
Love with reckless abandon, and love the mystery of happy accidents.
You never know who might need such love - and how much a little love and care can do.
Love can change the world.
Love always wins.
Thank you, Jo, for keeping it real and teaching us continually about the power of love.❤️🐓
