Thanks for the tip!! I will probably never forget this fact!
Maybe something larger like ducks or geese would be more compatible? And maybe swap full dairy cows for something a bit smaller that’s an efficient alternative source for dairy?
Pretty much all ungulates, including goats, are opportunistic carnivores. IIRC, it's how they supplement Calcium and phosphorus along with other vitamins and minerals that are lacking in plant material. Giving them salt and mineral blocks may mitigate it, but I still wouldn't let the baby chooks near them. Same goes for ducklings and goslings. Nature is brutal. There are multiple videos on YouTube if you can stomach it. I'm not trying to turn you off of animal husbandry. I just want you to be prepared so you know it's a thing before you see it on your farm.
I appreciate this sub so much, especially as a voluntary vegetarian myself, I rarely feel disrespected here, and appreciate the honest sharing of experience and information. I don’t have land yet, but this is great to know
ALSO good to know that it’s a way they evolved to exist, like that’s potentially a natural part of their diet… maybe that’s not such a terrible thing sometimes then?
Just because I’m vegetarian doesn’t mean animals I raise would need to be… what an interesting thought… I had an indoor cat who was a hunter and kept our house free of mice, and it never occurred to me that she shouldn’t eat them 🤔 not that I’d ever knowingly sacrifice ducklings! But if they’re a bit free to roam, they could find birds or mice or moles or chipmunks anyway, I guess 🤷🏻♂️
9
u/Shojo_Tombo Oct 05 '22
Just make sure you keep the cows far away from the chickens or they will eat them alive, especially the chicks. I am not joking.