Animals on the Farm
Not only is our farm home to RJ's QTs, a Cluster of small spinner's Flocks that you can read about HERE but we are home to many other farm creatures. Including a few that might surprise you.
We will start our introductions with the most seen creatures on the farm. Jethro (A Great Pyrenees Mix) and Hank (A Red Heeler Mix) Both know their place on the farm. By night they protect the flock/herd and by day they work the cattle when it is needed. Most of the time though, they can be found sleeping off the night shift in the dog pen, barn or the house. Not only are they working dogs but they are only two of our 4 Dogs on the farm.
Like all good farms we not only have one barn cat but we have about 6 cats that work the farm keeping the mice away. They all work inside the house as well as the barns and out building. At this point in time we have Sabastian, Ying, Yang, Peanut, Tilly, Rascal, Toby and Little Grey.
In what we call the yard pen you will first encounter our Goats/Lawn Mowers. Sweetie Pie is an Alpine and Holly is a Lamacha. While either goat can provide enough milk for our daily use but there is normally some left over for Soap and cheese as well.
While there is a whole flock of sheep and goats that belong to RJ on the farm, There is also a small spinner's flock of Merino Sheep. It started with Hersey. Then on Easter 2015 we took in 5 more Merino Sheep that had been attacked by a dog. 2 Rams and 3 Ewes. All in all we have a nicely rounded out Merino Flock here on the farm.
All farms have to have cows. While the farm is home to a small herd of Zebu and cattle, it is also home to one very special Cow. Her name is B'Day and she is a cow that RJ broke to ride. While most of the time she is either pregnant or with a baby by her side, she is just as happy to stand for hours and lets people sit up on her and take lots of pictures for the small price of a few treats. She does have a few friends like Mr. and Mrs. Zebu and Snap Dragon the Longhorn so she is never alone.
Horses are a must on any working farm and Cooper fits that bill around here. She is a Sorrel Quarterhorse Mare that came to live with us in Dec. 2009 as Lee's Christmas Present. Lee uses Coop, as we call her, as a Calf Roping horse and to work the cattle ,here on the farm but she likes giving Pony Rides from time to time as well.
Take note though she is only one of several horses here on the farm
Take note though she is only one of several horses here on the farm
On June 8th 2016 the first of our Mustangs were added to the farm. Caballo Thunder comes to us from the Deserts of Nevada. About 6 months later a second Mustang named Star, had been added from the Wyoming range. Both Mustangs will call the prairie home as they learn their job of working ranch horses.
In the winter of 2017 a little Wild Burro from Arizona came to take her spot among the four legged residents of the Straw Family Farm. While she is Halter broke so that we can handle her, she can be found in the Pasture with the cattle keeping Coyotes from reaching the goat and sheep pen. She is sweet but she has a job to do.
And Finally, the farm seems to have an endless supply of Poultry. They provide eggs that make all the wonderful breakfasts as well as baked goods and dishes that are out of this world.
