New Zealand Life

EVER - Eco

From chickens to cows to cats and more, Emerald Vista Equestrian Ranch has it all. Though it seems like our collection of various animals is random, we actually have each and every animal for a reason. So even though each animal gets an easy, lie-around, pampered life, every cow, lamb, chick, dog, cat and duck has multiple purposes to help create the “EVER” thriving ecosystem.

The cows are helpful in three ways. The first is mowing. EVER has 150 acres of pasture—there is no way we could mow that much land, especially at the rate the grass grows in New Zealand. So, we have 30 cows, 10 steers, and 3 heifers (cows that have never given birth) and 30 new calves munching away. After the grass has been digested, regurgitated, and then digested again in the cows’ four stomach, it all comes out as --- fertilizer! It is interesting to see where the cows urinate – the grass grows at twice the rate and is lush green in color. This is because of the high level of nitrogen. The natural fertilizer (liquid and solid matter) goes into the ground, the grass regrows and the process begins again. Our cows are also good for one more thing: calves. We put a bull in, take the bull out a few months later, and – ta da! - we have babies nine months later. Those babies will then be added back to our breeding stock or sold off, depending on their gender. The income we make from the sale of the calves helps support the cost of running the ranch.

If you have read the story on my beloved, white, feathered, babies, “Duckettes” you know they were finally launched onto the Meadow Pond. They do two main jobs on the Pond. The more important of the two is cleaning the pond. They eat the mosquitoes, ticks, and other bugs in the grass and pond, keeping them both relatively bug-free. The other job they have is laying eggs. Though we have only found two eggs from Butter and Jelly (the females), we are hoping for more as the weather warms up!
That makes up the animals at 2215 South Head Road. Here at 120 Webber Road, we have various animals as well. The eldest animals here at Webber Road, are Jess and Callie, both of which are simply house-pets that are both pampered and loved. Their main contribution is love and entertainment, but Jess is a very furious watch dog and Callie the cat keeps away the mice. The next eldest is Jaynee, our Border Collie. When Jaynee turns one year old on October 30 she will be ready to be officially trained to herd the cattle at 2215 South Head Road. Jaynee has already had an introduction to herding and we are confident she will be very good at her job.

Next, born on July 13, 2012, are the Gemstones chickens! Having recently allowed the roosters to be adopted by a new owner, we now have three chickens: Pearl, Amethyst, and Citron. They are now free-ranging over the lawn and (unfortunately) flower beds. They are currently used for fertilizer and pest-control, not being unable to produce eggs until they are a few months older. When that time comes they will produce one egg each per day for a total of 21 eggs per week. That should fulfill our healthy protein breakfast!

Fifth, are the lambs: Ebony and Ivory. As the names suggest, Ebony is a black lamb and Ivory is a white lamb. They were both orphans when we got them, and are both currently 7 weeks old. We weaned them in early September, and they are finally feeding exclusively on the grass. We keep them on the back lawn as mowers, and pick up their ‘lamb berries’ to fertilizer the fruit orchard.

Last, but certainly not least, are our four calves. Jasmine and Violet, born on July 8, 2012 were brought to our Webber Road barn (finished alas) on July17. They had just gotten down to being fed twice a day, when we got Dalia and Rose on September 8, 2012. These 4 calves are 7/8 Black Angus. Rose shows her 1/8 Fresian with a touch of white on her belly and white-tipped tail. All four calves are on a breakfast-dinner feeding schedule, and are also eating the grass in the pasture.

Though EVER has lots of animals, we are thinking about getting 8 more ducks, and 2-4 kittens in the near future. The ducks will be divided evenly among the four ponds. We hope to give each pond a drake and duck, so we can possibly have eggs. We are going to put a pair named Romeo and Juliet at the main pond (EVER Pond), by the dressage arena. Ennie, Meenie, Minnie, and Mo will be close together on the two ponds in the far back pasture, and Elphaba and Fieyro (from Wicked), will most likely be in the very front of the property by the roadside stockyards. The kittens’ names are still undecided; however, we have agreed to name them with ‘C’ names. Some favorite names are Cameo, Clover, Chardonnay, Champaign, Coco, Chloe, and Cleo.

Guinea-fowl are also on the to-get-soon list. These rather odd looking birds are amazing bug-eater. Since the guinea-fowl are not herbivores, they only eat bugs and not plants. A neighbor has offered to give up a large amount (about 10 or so) guinea-fowl when they are born. We will probably keep a few at Webber Road, and let the rest free-range at the 2215 South Head Road. Some interesting facts about these guinea-fowl, are that they are rather protective of their territory, and are really noise. On the bright side though, you can be sure to know if a burglar comes!

Here at EVER, we continually research to learn as much as possible about the animals and the eco system so we can keep our ranch beautiful and productive. Each biotic and abiotic thing is studied and kept in the best condition to help make a happily and healthy EVER after. It goes without saying that most of these farm animals could also be used for human consumption but at EVER we have chosen not to eat our helpful furry or feathery family.

~Juli@~