Esther and Tilly

Our Guard Alpacas

Esther and Tilly came to us from Kensington Prairie Farm in 2017. We purchased them as guards and protectors since we'd lost a few chickens to coyotes that year. The place we live and farm backs into protected wilderness space and acts as a corridor for much wildlife to pass through. They live in the barn with the pigs and now have a little paddock, back then they had a much bigger paddock area. At first, we thought they were "defective" because they never gave a warning when the coyotes showed up. Then one day they got out of the barn somehow (these two are quite the escape artists and love going where they're not supposed to be) and we found them grazing the field area. We decided to let them stay out and see what happened. To our surprise, they became amazing guards and we got to see their full personalities come into being. They are excellent at sounding the warning whenever a coyote is around. If you've never heard their warning call it's a very high-pitched noise similar to a donkey's hee-haw but less rusty sounding. If you're around when the alarm call is sounded you won't miss it, even from a distance which is why they are so effective. We can be inside and still hear them go off on the property. They don't do aerial guarding so well though. They don't look up so miss the eagles and hawks. But our rooster Bucket sees those and sounds the warning so it all works out. So now they sleep in the barn at night in their stall (only when it's super cold or torrential downpour) or the paddock and free-range the property during the day. The ducks have learned they are safer when they stay near them if I'm not out there and can often be found literally right under their feet. They are well-loved by all the animals and humans here at Sisters Rising Farm and we are so grateful they came to join us. 

Update: sadly Esther left this life in Jan.2022. As I update this Tilly is hanging out with a herd of alpacas for a month to pick out her new forever friend. We'll post more about her and pictures upon their arrival back at the farm. 

Ernest Vincent and Henry

The 3 Little Pigs

Charlene had dreamed of having pet pigs since she was about 2 yrs old. Finally, in 2016 her dream finally came true when she had the chance to give these three brothers a home. They have a stall next to the sheep in the barn and a small paddock area. They get "walked" twice a day, morning and evening. They've learned to sit for their food and over the years we've got to learn their very different personalities. Vincent is the sweetest, Henry is the sensitive one and the "artist" and Ernest is the more delicate one and a bit bossy. They are super well-behaved and so loveable. This year we will start working with them to help us restore some pasture areas that have become taken over by moss. How we do that will be shared in a separate blog post, so follow along to catch that one. They get along with everyone else here at the farm and often the chickens can be found wandering in their paddock and hanging out with them as well as the barn cats. We will also be offering "pig walks" in the future so stay tuned for more info on that to come shortly. 

Mr. Darcy, Miss Jane, Miss Elizabeth, Miss Charlotte, Miss Wildling, Miss Lizzie

The Indian Runner Ducks; Our Slug Control

These four are the darlings of Johanna. She researched and decided that Indian Runner ducks would be the best breed for slug control and egg production. Little did she know when she picked up these four little fluff balls back in April of 2020 that they would steal her heart. Since they were only a day old when she got them and was their only handler for the first few months of their lives they quickly imprinted on her and she became "mama" to them. As soon as they were old enough she'd take them out every morning into the gardens and work while they explored and dunked in their water dish. Every evening they would do their foraging walks. Now that they are almost a year old they are quite independent but still like to follow "mama" around on occasion when she's outside with them, sometimes come when called and are always into some sort of mischief. They are no longer allowed inside the garden where the more tender things are growing but even by running the perimiter on a regular basis the slug issue has diminished greatly. Mr. Darcy is extremely talkative and goes nonstop all day. Miss Charlotte is quite loud and loves the sound of her voice. Miss Jane speaks up only when she feels she must but when she does, she does it with gusto. Miss Elizabeth is the quiet one and the one who will tend to wander on her own and not follow the crowd. Mr. Darcy and Miss Jane are always the first and last out of the water while Miss Charlotte and Miss Elizabeth are usually quick in and out then off to find more food. The chickens have learned to tolerate them as they all share the paddocks together when not free-ranging. They are much loved by all who come to the farm. 

Update: sadly Miss Elizabeth got taken by a hawk in the fall of 2021. The rest were so traumatized (Indian Runners form deep family bonds) that they wouldn't go back into the pond for over six months and didn't lay any eggs for over seven months. It's been a long road back for them and I'm happy to say as of spring 2022 they are back to their normal happy selves.