Chickens

One of my better ideas for nature study was deciding to raise chickens.  They have made wonderful pets.  Their care is so easy, even Cody can participate.

We Love Chickens!

My Little Pony

Charm

Studying mammals at our house is a breeze.  In fact, the hardest part is choosing from the wide array of volunteers.

Lesson 14 in Primary Language Lessons is titled, "The Care of Pets."  The pupil is to answer the following questions using complete statements.

Pretty Pony

If you had a pony, how would you take care of him?

What would you give him to eat?

What does a pony need besides food?

Tell some things that should not be done to a pony.

What could the pony do for you?

Claire giggled, not much imagination was required to thoroughly answer those questions.

Knock, knock!

A: I do have a pony.  These are all pictures of her.  I take care of her by petting her every day.  She eats grass in the summer.  I give her hay in the winter.  I used to give her feed, but the veterinarian told me to stop because she did not need it.  Besides food, a pony needs love and care.  She needs water.  She needs exercise every day.  She needs a spot in which to lay.  She needs her hoofs trimmed every month.  She needs shots once a year.  You should never spank a pony unless it is necessary.  You should never ride a pony when her feet are sore.  Do not go behind a horse because she might kick you.  If you train your horse with feed, she will come when you call.  A pony will let you ride on her back.  A pony can be trained to stand still while you trim her feet.

Cattle

Maggie and Callaway

Maggie and Callaway came to live with us on July 24.  They were strays in the highway in front of our house.  The police were summoned late that evening to take care of the potentially dangerous situation.  Unable to determine from where the cattle had strayed, the police, desperate for a quick solution, begged Clay to allow the animals sanctuary within our fenced yard.  We agreed, and it seemed as though Maggie and Callaway were also in agreement because as soon as the yard was opened, they both ran in with no reluctance.

Callaway

Surprisingly, no one showed up to claim the overgrown steers the next day, or the next, or the next, so  I called the police to see what they suggested we do with our new residents.  I was redirected to the County Sheriff's office, spoke with a dispatcher, and was redirected to a Deputy, who called me back to say that he had no suggestions.  Our county has no holding pen.  By this time, we had grown fond of the big babies, so I volunteered to continue to provide for their care.  If they go unclaimed for 90 days, we have the right to claim them as our own.

Maggie

I figured they would be reported as missing within a week or two at the most, but here they are nearly a month later, unclaimed and enjoying their new, temporary home.

Of course, we decided immediately that they must be spoiled and tamed.  With patience, kindness, and a lot of good food, we now literally have them both eating from our hands, a necessity since we have no corral or other means of loading them for transport.

Claire's hand on Maggie's head

However it turns out, we have grown to love these two "oxen," and I've no regrets of allowing them to spend the summer with us.  The knowledge the children have gleaned from providing the daily care is priceless.