Alpacas are a domesticated mammal originating from the South American mountains, notably the Andes of Southern Peru, Western Bolivia, Ecuador, and Northern Chile. Their wild ancestors, vicunas, can still be found there. Alpacas have been domesticated for over 1000 years and were invaluable to daily life in the local cultures. Today, Peru, Bolivia, & Chile are …
Ducks make an excellent addition to any homestead. They are reliable layers of extra large eggs and are excellent foragers to help keep your yard pest free. Plus they have such fun personalities! It is impossible not to smile while watching your ducks splash about in a puddle or small pool. Ducks are hardy birds …
Rabbits can be very quiet, but that doesn’t mean they can’t tell you how they are feeling! The more time you spend with your bunny, the better you will get at reading his body language. Most bunny owners want their buns to be living their best life. So how can you tell if your rabbit …
Ok this is not the most glamourous post I’ve ever written, in fact be prepared for some gross pics. But keeping chickens isn’t just well framed Instagram shots! A big part of keeping your flock healthy and happy involves keeping your coop as clean as possible. This can seem like an uphill battle. Generally during …
M Worm, or Meningeal Worm is a parasite most US & southern Canadian alpaca owners need to be aware of. The effects of this parasite can cause paralysis or death in alpacas, but there are steps you can take to keep your herd safe. The story of the meningeal worm The meningeal worm’s natural host …
Anytime you add new livestock to your farm there is a learning curve. All the ins and outs of keeping them happy & healthy can seem overwhelming. Chickens are often the first livestock that people get when dipping their toes into the homesteading waters. Chickens are awesome and are fairly easy to care for, so …
Angel Wing is a wing deformity that can occur with ducks while they are still growing. A duck with Angel Wing has the flight feathers on one or both wings twist away from the body so they stick out instead of laying flat around their midsection. The main feathers in the wing grow over each …
In 2020 we grew our farm with the addition of two super sweet, super fluffy alpacas. Anytime you add a new type of animal to the farm, there is a ton of new information to learn. Alpacas are no exception. They were our first foray into larger livestock so there was even more to learn. …
When raising animals – either livestock or pets – it’s always going to be easiest to work with the animal’s natural instincts. You are not going to win a fight against nature, and it will make for happier animals! When it comes to raising rabbits, many people keep them in separate cages where they live …
Disclaimer: I am NOT a veterinarian, just an animal owner & lover sharing my opinions and experiences. Any advice on caring for animals or diagnosing & treating medical conditions for animals should be evaluated by a trained veterinarian. Whenever possible, you should always have your sick or injured bird evaluated & treated by a trained …
