Farm Animals

“The pets and livestock added to the wildlife make the farm a living breathing place–A place filled with life like the Peaceble kingdom.”

c e hollis

A farm needs dogs and cats to stand guard and to rid the homeplace of vermin. Our dogs bark everything that moves- at the mailman and at any thing out of place. I get annoyed when they bark at night, but it does make me feel safer. They are good watchdogs and will quiet when we turn the porch light on. Some nights when coyotes howl my dog howls along with them. That’s funny to hear. I think she fancies herself a wild beast on the prairie dancing with wolves!

Our small herd of cows is ever growing and changing. I think now we have about eighteen cows. This white cow is gone now and her calf is grown. We have eight cows carrying calves now. We sold our fine bull this year and were looking for a new one to replace him. Two steers will go to the butcher in April and three heifers will be sold. All our beef are grass feed only which was difficult with the drought this year. We had to buy extra hay from Arkansas to last through until summer grass is up.

I love to watch the horses. The colts follow their mamas around and romp and play together. They are curious and have to see for themselves what is happening. I love to see the horses grazing with the sun setting behind the pasture. I love to watch them running, and kicking up their heels.

Even the wildlife is appreciated here on the farm. Did you know a turtle will stake out his territory for life? This one the kids named Joe and we have watched him over the years. He has a scar across his shell back that makes him easy to identify. Joe likes worms and grasshoppers for supper.

Rachel is one of the prettiest little calves we have had born here on the farm. Tan and curly with big heavy lashed eyes, we all admired her. She was healthy and inquisitive.she grew into a fine mama cow and gave us several more calves.

Cats here are barn cats. I am not a cat lover. We have let them into the laundry room in severe weather. Usually they are outside cats. They eat and sleep in the garage. They are good mousers and we never have rodent troubles because of their hunting skills. They also like the birds though and stalk the songbirds that come eat at the feeders. Ron loves the cats and their antics and usually has one in his lap when he sits on the porch swing of an evening.

The chickens are fun to have although their laying falls off in the coldest weather. They love to be outside their coop and chase bugs and each other around the yard. The search and scratch for worms and try to roost in the scrubs around the farm. The have a watering bucket but still often go to the pond for water. We don’t have a rooster so they are fairly quiet unless they are laying their eggs in the late morning.These are Rhode Island Reds.

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The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze; their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.

Isaiah 11:6-7