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Post by tobemeghan on Jun 12, 2013 23:13:44 GMT
WOW other pets, now you've all opened up a can of worms! It is a zoo around here!! I live on a small homestead with my mom and two younger brothers. We have an Irish Dexter cow (she was our milk cow but we went vegan so how she is the mower, we tie her out every day and she mows and fertilizes), bunches of chickens (laying hens, Silkie bantams and several other types of bantams which aren't much bigger than regular birds.) which we use as bug control (we don't use any types of sprays), a duck (long story), Guineas, 8 dogs (every size from St. Bernard to Chihuahua, we have a lot of mixes that have come into our lives in different ways, several of our dogs are also very old (pushing 16yrs) all spayed and neutered so no worries there), 2 cats (one is a very old senior), poison dart frogs, various different types of fish, snails and of course Mary.
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Post by Bean on Jun 13, 2013 12:39:29 GMT
Oooh what an exciting variety! Sounds fun, and chaotic!
Did you all go vegan at the same time? I'm interested in the story behind the decision. (And also I'm just curious as to what you do with the eggs?!)
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Post by 3piggles on Jun 13, 2013 13:34:03 GMT
Sounds like a really nice place  I've never had a cow, but I had a horse, and they are fabulous mowers! |
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Post by jolovespiggies on Jun 13, 2013 15:21:41 GMT
Your family sound wonderful love, the little ones you have mentioned I would have if I had the land. I have always wanted ducks, I adore horses, well, everyone you have really. Your place sounds like heaven for me.
Hugs
Jo xx
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Post by margaret6 on Jun 15, 2013 0:13:01 GMT
Yes, just heaven, all those lovely creatures. You all must be so busy caring for them. Do they all have names? What country do you stay Tobemeghan? This might sound a daft question but are poison dart frogs poisonous? X
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Post by tobemeghan on Jun 17, 2013 21:06:02 GMT
Oooh what an exciting variety! Sounds fun, and chaotic! Did you all go vegan at the same time? I'm interested in the story behind the decision. (And also I'm just curious as to what you do with the eggs?!) It can be a bit chaotic! But for the most part is all good@ As for going vegan we did actually a take the dive at the same time. My mom went vegetarian over 18 years ago. My sister (now married and living out of state) followed soon after and myself and two younger brothers not long after that (I was about 15 I think). We live off of the land as much as possible and are very environmentally conscious and friendly. We decided to go vegan a little over 3yrs ago to support the environment as it is our nations obsession with meat (and lots of it) that is fueling climate change and destruction. Giving up meat/animal products (or even cutting back to a few times per week) helps the environment more than driving an electric car or riding a bicycle. I am also a big supporter of water conservation and over 70% of the fresh water in the U.S goes towards putting animal products on our tables. Also, I am against supporting global hunger. If we gave up meat and planted crops for human consumption (over 95% of crops grown in the U.S go for animal feed) then we could feed the world. It is getting worse as our population goes up, we actually can't even support our meat habit anymore and much is being imported. In fact over 2 million cattle are being raised in the Amazon Basin which has (or had) the most diverse ecosystem and supports 1/3 of the planets plant and animal life. Almost 30 million trees are cut down (clear cutting) every day and the majority of clear cutting is to clear grazing land. Plus how the animals are raised is horrible, the chemicals and the genetic modification, etc. that is being used, etc. A lot of issues (will shut up now) that lead to the decision.  As for the eggs. We give them to whoever wants them for a buck or two (if that). We did have some people who took some on a regular bases but then their sister starting raising chickens/eggs so they now get them from her. Since we live rurally with no grocery near by we are the "oh shoot forgot to buy eggs in town" people to call. For the most part, however, we feed the eggs to our dogs. I know it seems like a waste but it healthy for the dogs. Anyone who lives near by is more than welcome to them. The chickens are free range and we don't give them anything chemical wise. |
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Post by tobemeghan on Jun 17, 2013 21:09:39 GMT
Sounds like a really nice place I've never had a cow, but I had a horse, and they are fabulous mowers! It needs work (house wise) but in trade for caring for 3 dogs for 9mos someone gave us a bunch of new siding (left over from jobs he does) and picked up some brand new windows off of craigs list for a very very low price so now just to save up to put it all together!!  Wish we had some more land, it is on the wishlist as well! Other than that though can't complain at all! The cow (Dax) is a good mower although she is a LOT pickier than you think she would be only eating certain types of grass. I do think she is a bit spoiled. |
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Post by tobemeghan on Jun 17, 2013 21:15:16 GMT
Your family sound wonderful love, the little ones you have mentioned I would have if I had the land. I have always wanted ducks, I adore horses, well, everyone you have really. Your place sounds like heaven for me. Hugs Jo xx Awww thanks! The ducks can be a bit of a pain (can be out in the pasture and run up to the front steps to poop!) but they eat a different type of bugs than the chickens so they have their use (and are pretty cute too). Had horses when I was a little kid (and I had a pony) but lost one due to old age, the other to a hunter and my pony to a snake (vet couldn't save it). The heart couldn't take it anymore so we didn't get anymore. The hunters around here are really really bad. All of the freakin' people from the cities come down and literally hunt in my backyard (the grassland around my house is "prime" hunting land and I don't own it, they don't stay on it though and come onto my property- its only 3 acres!). I have bullet holes in my house, they threaten us, park in our yard and won't stay off of our land (plus our roads aren't rocked so they get stuck in the mud and we have to pull them out). Drives me crazy and not much we (or anyone around here) can do about it as they are pretty much protected by our local government who pulls them in for the economical benefits (plus half of them are the government). But THAT is a whole different story! |
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Post by tobemeghan on Jun 17, 2013 21:26:52 GMT
Yes, just heaven, all those lovely creatures. You all must be so busy caring for them. Do they all have names? What country do you stay Tobemeghan? This might sound a daft question but are poison dart frogs poisonous? X I live in Kansas USA. And yes they all have names (except for the fish and chickens, we just call them "the girls")! Want the run down? Will start with the dogs (biggest to littlest) Dogs: Commodore, George, Dave, Rhett, Fender, Gus, Harvey and Radar. Cats: Fred and Willy Ray. Cow: Dax Guineas (the pet ones): Peep and Peep-peep Duck: Ducky-do (or quackers) Frogs: Froggy one thru four (not very much imagination there) Guinea pig: Mary (of course) And I am probably forgetting someone! Not a daft question at all! The frogs are poisonous when in their natural habitat. It is what they eat that makes them poisonous so when in captivity they munch on fruit flies so they are safe. They cannot be handled, however, as the natural bacterial on our hands will kill them. My brother (who builds large terrariums) had always wanted frogs but didn't have the set up for them. My sister (who lives out of state) surprised him with these frogs for Christmas. She didn't realize that they take special care/habitat so brother has been working and saving like mad to make them an appropriate house. It is in the living room and is about 3 feet wide and 6 feet tall. They are terrestrial frogs (they climb) so it has to be tall. He made a fake tree and put in it and is working on growing various plants, vines and mosses to go in it. He is on the clock has the frogs can't get over 88 degrees and our house gets about 105F+ during the summer (just figures, the frogs are going to get A/C!). He has a 55 gallon terrarium (with fish) on the other side of the room, we really are a zoo! |
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Post by 3piggles on Jun 18, 2013 0:46:12 GMT
I definitely couldn't do that amount of work anymore. I did so enjoy it when I was younger, though!
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Post by Bean on Jun 18, 2013 12:14:20 GMT
You sound like a very thoughtful and considerate family, and the choices you have made for your lives sound very positive and respectful. It is a bit scary looking at the stats on how such a small proportion of people use/destroy such a large proportion of the earth's resources and I think we could all improve our impact on the earth. I try to make choices that minimise our impact in this consumerist world, but there's a heck of a lot more I could do and it's good to be reminded of that.
I'm not impressed about the hunters coming on (or near) your land - the fact your house has bullet holes in sounds very scary! It's terrible that nothing can be done about it, and it must add insult to injury that you have to pull their vehicles loose too. Bah!
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Post by 3piggles on Jun 18, 2013 15:27:59 GMT
As far as I know, horses and cows won't eat where they pooped. Those spots have to be cleared and pretty much cleaned off by rains before they will eat there. Unfortunately, they don't only poop on the plants they didn't want to eat!!! A goat would definitely graze the rest of the plants, but also pull up too many by the roots, so they may need a bigger area!
Glad you have managed to swap or find great discounts on some of the items you need. Most of us have something we can exchange, even if just time, for other items. Should be done a lot more!
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Post by 3piggles on Jun 18, 2013 23:49:56 GMT
I think I would die if my house got up to 105F! Even with fans that would be way too hot for me. I'm best under 80F inside, and with air moving, or I'm not!! I don't really like a/c, but need it once the hot weather arrives.
I have the pigs in the basement family room where it never gets very hot. One of the reasons I moved them there, as we were running a/c for months to keep their upstairs room cool enough, and then I put bottles of ice in their cages if I even just went to the store! If you have a basement, maybe the frogs to summer down there? I do have a walk out basement with double windows, so it's not a cellar.
You really do have quite an interesting collection of animals in your zoo. Glad you all enjoy each other!
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Post by jolovespiggies on Jun 19, 2013 16:05:44 GMT
It really does sound lovely and you are very welcome to my saying that hun. I am sorry to hear about all the shooting, it makes me mad. Hunts here have no respect for people, other animals or property. It is supposed to be banned but there are a lot of rich s..... involved as you may well know and they have power. I would like to set them on a course and hunt them down.
Hugs
JOxx
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Post by 3piggles on Jun 26, 2013 21:27:38 GMT
Tobymegan, I forgot to ask where in Kansas you live. I have a friend who lived in Emporia but moved to Ottawa last year. I don't really know Kansas except to look at places on the map, and from the photos my friend has posted.
We had a couple of geese for a while, Tina and Charlie. Great for telling us when anyone entered the yard, and for keeping people from getting out of their vehicles!!! They did poop everywhere, though, and it got slippery in some places!
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Post by margaret6 on Jun 27, 2013 9:35:30 GMT
Gosh, just been reading back this thread, Madagascar comes to mind. Anyone fancy opening an environmentally friendly zoo, with air conditioning!! Makes my piggies, dogs and meager attempt at helping the environment sound poor. Keep up the good work guys xxx
What is good in Scotland at the moment, is the beautiful birds busy breeding, I get woken up at 3.30 am with them chirping away, no wonder I feel tired xxx
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Post by 3piggles on Jun 27, 2013 15:32:43 GMT
I would love to have a huge, all inclusive piggytat, where they can all run free, get all the exercise they want or need, and use all of their skills and senses. I had that when I had a herd that got along and I had a separate room with old carpeting, etc. But that room also require a/c from the earliest part of the summer and into the fall, which cost a fortune. I had to have bottles of frozen water taking up most of the freezer, in case the a/c failed. I worried about being able to get them out if the house caught fire, etc!
Now, they are in slightly smaller cages/condos in the basement family room. It rarely needs a/c as it's in a walk-out basement. It gets natural light, but has new carpeting, so they can't range freely. They also don't get along with each other at all, so are restricted to their condos. Not only does fire burn up, so it will get to the basement last, but their condos are right by the outside door. No extra a/c cost, excellent escape opportunity, but slightly smaller cages and no free-ranging.
We do the best we can, and usually have to make trade offs. I doubt there is a good pet owner who doesn't wish they could create a fabulous habitat for their animal.
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Post by jolovespiggies on Jun 28, 2013 15:56:33 GMT
I would love to Margaret sweeets; if I won the lottery it would be spent on an animal shelter.
Hugs
Jo xx
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Post by margaret6 on Jun 29, 2013 13:15:17 GMT
Yes but can you imagine the size we'd need to make it, we'd be rescuing all sorts.......that's wheekers members natures xxx
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Post by jolovespiggies on Jun 30, 2013 15:59:04 GMT
Very true love, we would never turn anything away.
Hgs
Jo xx
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I've never had a cow, but I had a horse, and they are fabulous mowers! 
Wish we had some more land, it is on the wishlist as well! Other than that though can't complain at all! The cow (Dax) is a good mower although she is a LOT pickier than you think she would be only eating certain types of grass. I do think she is a bit spoiled.