Our Farm Animals

The definition of livestock is -  farm animals regarded as an asset.

We have pigs and donkeys and chickens.  They are NOT “livestock.”  No doubt our farm animals are a financial liability; certainly not an asset (smile).  Large animals like pigs and donkeys consume a lot of food.  Our pigs get a special food designed for the large pot belly pig.  They get a mixed salad daily and a few bites of apple.  Our donkeys get their grain (two different types), hay in the winter, and a few bites of apple.  The pigs and the donkeys have required vet care multiple times over the years and you don’t load up a 200-pound pig or a donkey.  That means the vet has to come to you (extra charges, of course).  The pigs have a stall with two houses inside.  They have heat lamps and blankets and straw in the winter.  The donkeys have a stall and feeders and water tanks.  The pigs have one industrial fan; the donkeys have three.  And we pay a farrier every six weeks to tend to our donkeys’ hooves.   Our chickens do pay us back with delicious fresh eggs.  But the savings in egg purchases doesn’t begin to compensate for their feed.  And by the time we finished building their chicken coop – a nice large house with a fortress pen around it – it would take right at 200 years of eggs to pay for their abode.

Nope.  We do not have “livestock.”

I’ve mentioned before that our donkeys and our pigs are rescues.  The chickens are not, but when I purchased them I felt like we were saving them.  I can’t go into my feelings about how livestock are treated.  I would have to write for days to cover all of the changes I feel should be made.  And I would, no doubt, offend someone along the way.  But I DO feel like it is time for humanity to view its livestock differently.  They are animals, not crops in a field, and they deserve to be treated with compassion. 

I will treat with compassion two donkeys, two pigs, and six chickens.  I know there are other people who do actually care about their farm animals.  I can only hope that as humanity progresses, we will begin to see our farm animals as the beings they are.  And that we will learn to value them as beings and not just as a commodity.

 

Radio

 

 

Jenny

 

 

Jenny has continued to improve to the point of returning to the field.

 

 

 

 

 

Two chickens enjoying one of the pig's dirt holes.

 

 

This is the chicken fortress; they are put in here at night to stay safe from raccoons, opossums, and coyotes.

 

 

I think eggs are beautiful

 

 

 

Chickens sharing a dirt hole with Annie

 

 

Annie and Arnold

 

 

 

 

 

As I was adding pig pics I noticed that they are always lying down. That's because when they are up snooting around they are never together. But they are SO cute lying side by side.

 

 

 

Farm animals are still animals.  They deserve our love. 

Tomorrow – a short update on Tiny Dancer.  See you then.

 

Comments

[Ginny & the Fur Family]

I too feel the same about farm animals. I think people are offended when you speak of not wanting to eat meat. Every where you go out to eat it is steak and chops and I find my self ordering fish as if fish have no feelings - the lesser of the other evils. I eat a lot of beans and such. I love the eggs. We have a lot of scrambled eggs around here. Love the pictures of radio and Jenny. The pigs are great. Free Range chickens I love. Always buy free range eggs. I hope Tiny Dancer is alright.

[Maria in FL]

Of course you treat your farm animals with compassion, Chrystal...you also give them love, food, warmth and comfort. It's who you are. If only all animals, both farm and domestic, could experience life like it is at the Parkers. What a wonderful world it would be! Thank you for being the kind, compassionate, loving person that you are!

[John Bellen]

Your animals - farm and house - are lucky to be wirh you. I chuckled at all the pig pictures. Those two are huge!

[Timmy Tomcat]

All animals deserve the best treatment we can provide farm or not. Thanks

[Andrea and the Celestial Kitties]

Aww love all the pictures! What a wonderful rescued bunch you have! I'm so glad too see the piggies together after their not so friendly start!!