How many?!
Are they companion animals?
Discussion
We have an older male from a petting zoo who outlived his breeding life there and they were going to "get rid" of him if they couldn't find a home. Three females from a different place, a mom and her two daughters. And two 6 months old boys because they were pregnant when we got them. We lost the third baby girl early this spring. Didn't make it past a week 😮💨.
The older male basically roams as a guardian with the livestock dog.
You’ve got an attack donkey?!
Amazing.
What type of livestock?
We've got some goats and a few cows. Chickens, turkeys, geese, ducks some pigeons. But yes. Essentially have an attack donkey 😂🤣
I’ve read good things. Is the guardian donkey reasonably kind to herding dogs working the livestock?
He's very protective of the ladies. To the point he might try to kill the babies so they are separate. And despite a minor biting/attack he went on one time because of that, he's very sweet and affectionate. He does like to nose jam muh balls and ribs though so. There's still some risk 😂
We had him snipped this year too so he's not quite as aggressive when they're in heat. But the girls and babies are all contained He just hangs around.
Good to know. Every time I think our cow isn’t really aware of exactly where the tips of her horns are I get a good run up the inside of my leg with one and instantly feel eminent, gut wrenching fear that I won’t move fast enough one time. 😒 I’ll stick with pigs being the only biters around here. The boar’s tusks are menacing and he can move deceptively fast for 700 pounds, but he’s pretty mellow in spite of all that, and relatively low to the ground. He doesn’t kick either. Bonus.
We have a highland cow with big horns who bucks and kicks when she gets excited. Man these animals sometimes scare the shit out of me 🤣
Also have a jersey who is taller than me and dumb as bricks, sweet guy but I'm always afraid he'll just crush me against a fence.
They're gentle and simple most the time but damn powerful.
Yep, I’ll ride that boar bareback sometimes if he’s a distance from fences and trees. He’s so smart though twice and he sees me coming every time. Did you know that pigs have hybrid eyesight with some attributes from grazing animals, nearly 360 degree coverage, and a predator binocular overlap in front with some degree of depth perception? Amazing animals really, but aren’t they all?
I've got two pigs. Both are pot bellies, one is probably 100 lbs and one is like 200. Again given up by people who though a pig would be a good apartment pet. They might be as smart as dogs in a lot of way, very trainable, smart, but. Still too much animal.
And that scream. That's a whole different beast to a dog barking.
Yep, I wear ear protection when I go up to feed. Do you ferment their feed at all? A five day covered bucket ferment can provide the power of rumination to your mono gastric pigs!