GlenHaven is alive and well even if we have only been sporadic on the blog scene. It was 2 years ago this month we bought our farm and time has flown at warp speed! We’ve come a long way and when I stop to look around realizing what God has done I. am. in. awe.
Last night as I was petting Violet our beautiful Jersey she turned her head towards me as if to say, “pretty cool, huh?”
I concur Violet – it is very cool to pet your own cow (insert chicken, pig, goat or donkey) whenever you like along with a beautiful view and no traffic noise. Sometimes these critters drive ya nuts with their escapades but all in all their personalities provide hours of entertainment!
Chickens are like a gateway drug – you start out with 2 or 3 then you end up hooked with a whole farm full of critters! We’ve hatched out over 30 birds this year – even managing to sell some hens and eggs for pocket cash.
Right now, our bovine population is 3 cows, a Ferdinand type bull and 2 calves. Cows are actually very curious animals, they always want to know what’s going on and have a stealthy way of sneaking up on you. How 1000 pounds can be stealthy I still don’t know.
Our goats multiplied into 13 total with 10 currently here. They are cuddly, stubborn and master escape artists. Fortunately, the only place they run is to the feed room or unfortunately to my garden.
In the equine department (or as my sister asks, equine or assinine?) we have 2 sweet donkeys who help out with guard duty. They love scritches between their ears and nibbling carrots out of your hands. They are most often seen in BFF pose – huddled up as telling secrets & about to take a selfie.
Duckwise we have 2 roving gangs of 6 each who often get into turf wars as they cruise the property in between forays to the pond.
They are great egg layers, we are just not as good at finding the eggs as the dogs are.
Speaking of dogs, Warrior and Tali man the perimeter on night shift (hence the serious nap) while our inside pair, Bailey and Ruwa do personal guard duty from the foot of the bed. Warrior responds to every coyote howl with a message of his own, Tali is his back up . . . this farm really is a dog’s paradise!
Hamlet and Ophelia are low on drama but their little piglets push the envelope at times. Ophelia has birthed 14 piglets (more pocket change) and they’ve done a fine job clearing out some ground in the hardwoods.
Our foray into meat chickens has been successful. Friends and family report a consistent state of culinary pleasure to the taste buds. We’ve raised 3 turkeys for our personal consumption – those dudes are big!
So, that’s our two year wrap up in the critter countdown. I am in awe once again at God’s faithfulness. Not everything has gone perfectly and I’ve definitely made some mistakes but He has never failed us! The foundation is laid – now let’s see what God has in store for us next!