On a recent visit to the UK, my brother
and I were fortunate enough to make some new friends whilst attending
the Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tolpuddle_Martyrs)
Whilst at the festival, we were asked about the animals who share the space at La Fieffe with us.
We
are fortunate to share this space with some wonderful fauna. (in no
particular order); Roe Deer, Wild Boar, Foxes, Red Squirrels, Coypu,
Hedgehogs, Moles, Adders, all manner of rodents and amphibians,
Buzzards, Hobbies, Kestrels, Sparrow Hawks, Barn Owls, Tawny Owls and
every type of countryside and garden birds. A post on our local wild
fauna will follow in due course.
For our friends from Welwyn; Michael, Carol, Scarlet and Comrade Charlie. Here are our more "domesticated" fauna!
This is Loki
He
is approximately 2 years old and has lived with us for just over a
year. He was rescued from the streets of Sarajevo, Bosnia by a wonderful
woman named Milena (https://www.facebook.com/groups/SSSarajevo/?fref=ts). We offered him a home and he has become an
integral part of our extended family. He is named Loki, for the Norse
god of Mischief. a very apt name! He is a mischievous, playful friend.
This is Bridget
Bridget is an Angora X Pygmy goat. She came to us 2 years ago along with her mother, Martha. Our friends could no longer house them so we adopted them. Currently wearing her summer coat, she looks like a chubby, fluffball in her wonderful winter coat. Martha passed away last year and we have since been trying to find company for Bridget. She had a temporary friend called Betty. A Sanaan X Alpine Goat, we found her too much of a bully for sweet little Bridget so we were forced to re-home Betty. We hope to have Bridget "covered" next year so that we can have more goats, produce some milk and cheese, and give her the company she requires.
In the absence of goat friends, we now have 3 sheep to keep Bridget company.
This ewe, (variously named Davina, Mint Sauce and Sheep Andy) is approximately 5 months old.
She has been hand reared, is very friendly and likes dogs. We adopted
her in June and are pleased with how she has settled in. Unsure of her
heritage (as with our other 2 sheep) Possibly breeds of Charmoise and/or
Rouge de l'Ouest. Interestingly, Rouge de l'Ouest sheep were
originally bred as dairy sheep for the production of Camembert (not far
north of us).
This ram hasn't been named yet (All suggestions welcomed). He is about 7 months old.
He was a gift/exchange along with our un-named ewe. We were given them
by a neighbour of ours. Jerome, who wanted to rent one of our fields so
as to grow some vegetables for his family and raise some sheep. We
happily allowed him to use our field. I asked for some "viande" when he
came to slaughter his sheep. Jerome insisted instead on giving us a pair
for breeding. Now we can raise our own lambs.
This ewe also hasn't been named (Again, all suggestions welcomed) she too is about 7 months old.
She, along with the ram, Mint Sauce (my favoured named) and Bridget are
currently being run through our old orchard and are doing a fine job of
mowing!
These are our Chickens
They are Harveys, Ringwood, Old Speckled, Blinger and Green Dragon. Our chickens have been supplying us regularly with fresh eggs for 2 years now. We normally allow them to run freely across the land. They have a tendency to dust bath amongst our veg, eat our seedlings and lay eggs in all manner of places. This spring, as an experiment, we decided to corral them into a (very large) chicken run. The idea was to get our seasonal vegetables well established before the chooks could go and forage. We intend to free them during August for the rest of the year.
Poppy, the cat is very elusive, a superb hunter, I was unable to find her for a photograph. She comes and goes as she pleases and at times seems semi-feral!
These are our family of animals. Husbandry is a relatively new and developing skill for us. What we are learning is that given the right conditions, the right care and a relative free range, animals are very valuable partners in an organic setting.
They assist in pest control, soil fertility, security for each other, weed suppression, seed propagation, food production, sources of textiles, and learning tools for adults and children alike.
I highly recommend having animals in your life. Even if just going out into the countryside to look at wild birds.
If you decide to get a pet such as a dog or cat, please seriously consider choosing a rescued animal that requires re-homing. There are so many neglected and abandoned animals that so desperately need loving homes.
