As I tend to mainly write about wildlife at the rescue, I thought, for a change, I’d show you a few of our other animals over the coming weeks. As well as a wildlife dept we have kennels, a cattery, a farm and several large aviaries.
So…here we go…..We have several pigs on the farm. Recently we acquired a micro pig that was actually for sale on the internet. The owners lived in a flat and didn’t even have a garden. We eventually re-homed it to a country property, so a happy ending!
A few months ago, we had to have one of our elderly pigs put to sleep as it couldn’t stand, it was awful….I won’t tell you the tale but believe me, it’s really hard to kill a pig, which got me thinking about pigs in slaughter houses……
We have lots of ducks at the moment, most are ex-pets who’ve had their flight feathers clipped. I always think it’s such a shame to remove a bird’s ability to fly, as clipped wings or not, they never seem to lose the urge, and it’s rather pathetic to see them flapping aimlessly!
Did you know that yellow ducklings become white ducks? because of their high visibility though, very few make it to adulthood due to predation.
These are runner ducks, they stand upright and sure can run.
Here is another of our pigs. This guy has formed a strong friendship with a couple of chickens. We often see this sort of thing at the rescue, different species palling up. I was listening to a programme on the radio recently, were animal friendships were being discussed. Apparently even after years of separation animals immediately re-bond and continue their friendship. This was discovered in many species, and even in herds, individual animals forming unique relationships….
This lamb came in at Christmas after it’s mother rejected it. We had to bottle feed it for months. It used to follow us around, bleating pitifully for milk. Now it hangs out with the other sheep. It’s really getting big now!
The Canada goose also prefers to hang around with the chickens. One fine day I’m going to start keeping chickens, they are really interesting, they stare at you and even follow you around. They remind me of dogs, in a strange sort of way!
I do like a rooster, the problem is we have FAR too many of them, and they do fight. They always go for each other’s eyes resulting in many of them losing an eye.
I heard recently that a guy in China had invented special blinkers for his roosters to stop them fighting! We’ll have to import specs for our lot!!!
And finally…..the rest of our sheep. It’s a nightmare getting hay past them….ram you they do! Oh yes!
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How lucky these animals are to have all of you are taking care of them I do love the ducks xxxx
Thanks Free…..yes, the ducks are lovely, I do like the white ones! xxxxx
Lovely photos and you have so much more than I realised at the centre.
I have to be a bit thick but do the flight feathers never grow back? Most birds get new feathers once or twice a year but do these ones not get renewed?
Looking forward to seeing the cats that you have. It seems such a big place. You must have lots of eggs around with all those ducks and chickens!
Thanks GG… no….you are spot on, birds do grow their flight feathers back, so the ones that do can go if they wish as long as their health is good, but they tend to stay as they like the good life, lol. Most of them have been breed as flightless though.
We do get lots of lovely fresh eggs…..xxxxx
What a menagerie, which must be right fun at times. xx
Lol…thanks Flighty….yes, it’s often fun and games….especially trying to get past those sheep! I have many a tale to tell…..xxx
The dear creatures…… and they are so lucky your rescue is there for them – amazing…… Lovely pictures and I was talking to somebody only the other day about inter-species friendships and interactions… it is fascinating isn’t it? Lovely post as ever…. thank you! xxxx
Thanks Arose. It is amazing how these friendships form and last. Just goes to show they have preferences for the company they keep, just like us. xxxxx
It makes a pleasant change to see rescued farm animals looking so relaxed and in such goog condition.
Thanks Dessie, they have a good life now. Many of the farm animals are horribly neglected when they come in, especially the chickens but they usually make a good recovery with a little tlc.xxx
Life on a particular farm obviously has its moments. It is ridiculous that people try to make pets of anything when they live in apartments.
We heard about a small-ish dog (bigger than a lap dog) living in an apartment. it’s owner works all hours and often goes away to relax. The dog does have a doggy walker who takes it out three times a day, sometimes takes the dog into her place to give it the company of her own dogs. This situation begs a lot of questions, in particular one….why have a dog in the first place? On the other hand, there is a level of responsibility shown in the arrangements for the dog’s care and the doggy walker does seem to provide ‘extras’.
I couldn’t agree more, it’s bewildering trying to figure out why anyone would want a large farm animal in a house at all!
Yes, it is strange that the owners of the dog have a pet, but as you say at least it gets out for a walk and fresh air during the day. I know someone who kennels hers dogs for four days each week????? again a very odd arrangement.xxxxx
The bit about the pig befriending the chickens is, quite possible, the most adorable thing I’ve ever read – you need to write a story about it, it’ll be the new Charlotte’s web! It’s sad that a rescue centre has to have such a varied collection of animals – I think a lot of people write of farm animals as a different issue, so it’s nice to see some humanity. I’d love to hear more about their ways (especially “Wilbur & the chicks!”) in future! xxxxxx
Awwwww……thanks gal! Gosh yes! Charlotte’s web all over again, one of my favourite stories growing up! Just for the record, the chickens pick Wilbur’s teeth and he loves it! I always find the farm animals fascinating, there is so much variety and yet they all get along really well……except for the roosters!xxxxxx
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For me, it was a pretty sad read. I appreciate what you are doing, but I can help but feel a lot of resentment towards the people who casually dismantle animals… It’s hard for me to talk about it even.
I completely agree with you Shimon, I can’t understand why animals are treated the way they are, all we can do is pick up the pieces and try to give each animal the best possible life it can have. Even after all the disgusting sights I seen at the rescue over the years I never get used to it. My blood is always boiling xxxxx
Those pigs are just gorgeous…want one or two. I envy you, what opportunties you have. xxx
Thanks Karen, the pigs are brilliant, so intelligent, you can see them thinking when they’re looking at you.
I’d love to have pigs too, ours are up for adoption if you ever decide to get any.
I think you would enjoy life at the rescue.xxxxx
Brilliant post, Dina, as usual! I do love runner ducks – they are so hilarious.
Thanks Gill, yes they are really funnty wee critters!xxxxx
Ahhh…These images…and the post…reminds me very much about my frequent visits to farms…..had quite a few ‘farmer friends’ at one time…
Lovely D! Thanks for sharing…Hugs! :)xx
Ahhhh…thanks Ell. xxxxx