Frequently Asked Farm Questions...
People are always asking us questions about life here on our farm...here are a few we get quite a bit:
What kinds of animals do you have on the farm?
We raise beef cattle and miniature donkeys for profit, but also have two horses, five dogs, two cats, and a pig.
How big is your farm?
We farm a little over 100 acres. The front 40 acres are cleared pasture-land while the back 60 acres or so were logged years ago and need some work. We are slowly getting this land cleared and turned into more pasture so that we can increase our herds. If you ever have the urge to burn a few brush piles, come visit us!
How do you find time to work full-time and take care of so much?
It is hard! Grady's job allows him some flexibility in scheduling so he usually starts early in the morning so he can start farm work earlier. My job is not so flexible. As an Assistant Principal at our local high school, I am expected to be present at many fuunctions and attend lots of meetings. The weekends are when we get most big projects tackled and Grady picks up my slack on the weekdays when I'm at school late. When I can get home early, I try to since I know a lot of the burden does fall on him.
We are definitely tied-down to this place and can't just head out of town on a whim! Thankfully my mother-in-law lives next door and can help out with the feeding when we go on vacation.
Does the pig live in your house?
Not anymore! We've only had Kevin since November and since it was still pretty cold outside, he lived in our basement until the end of February. He LOVES being outside and has a large pen where he can root, sunbathe, and poop to his little heart's content!
How tall are miniature donkeys?
For a donkey to be considered miniature, it must be under 36 inches tall. Most of ours range from 30-33 inches tall, but little Winston measures in at 26 inches. We just have a hard time convincing him he is that small!
Is there a market for miniature donkeys?
Oh yes! (If you are willing to part with them! Sometimes I get a little too attached to sell them.)
The temperment of these animals is so great, they become like the family dog. They are easy to care for and can protect other livestock from small dogs/prey. Certain color combinations bring more money, and black/white seem to be where the money is here lately. We saw a black and white jenny get bid up to $4700 at an auction and the owner didn't take it! He said she was worth more. We've never been that lucky, but maybe you will be!
Need to know more? Ask!
