Week Five:

Wesley the bull

Photo Credit: John Chester

This is Wesley the bull. A Highland Cattle weighing about 1,600 lbs, he is enormous, but can easily get spooked. When Wesley first arrived at the farm one of the farmers thought it would be nice if Wesley was used to interact with people, so everyday he went into Wesley's pasture to feed him an apple and Wesley was delighted. One day, the farmer went in to give Wesley an apple and Wesley decided he wanted the farmer out of his pasture! He pinned the farmer to the ground with his horns, scaring the farmer half to death. He didn't hurt anyone, but the farmer got the message and retreated from the bull's pasture. No more apples for Wesley.

Flavio tending the Cows

Photo Credit: John Chester

So how does the bull get moved? He can't stay in the same pasture for the rest of his life. Flavio, one of the livestock managers, has worked on a farm since he was a boy and acts like the "animal whisperer". When its time for Wesley to be moved he puts a bull ring through his nose and guides him to his next pasture. Flavio says its something he may never be comfortable with, but he gets the job done. 

Wesley has spent most of his time at the farm alone. This is for the safety of the farmers and the other animals. To my surprise, one day he got company.

George and his ladies

Photo Credit: John Chester

George and six ewes (female sheep) entered the pasture cautiously. When Wesley saw them he immediately made it known that he was king of the pasture. He chased the sheep from corner to corner of the rectangular shaped pasture. Wesley with his size and strength shakes the ground when he runs and is able to out run the sheep. At one point trapping one of the sheep in the corner. The sheep panicked and ran back to the herd. Wesley chased them around the pasture for a half hour, until finally he stopped and allowed them to graze. The purpose of having the sheep in with Wesley was to force them to graze the way they would if they were in nature with predators, eating one area then moving to another. When sheep are in a pasture alone, without predators, they spread out and eat where ever they want in no particular order. This wears down the pasture faster than if they were in a natural state.

Wesley's ladies, Firefly (left) and Gethin (right).

Photo Credit: John Chester

Wesley will soon have more company. When its time Firefly and Gethin will share a pasture with Wesley to mate. When Firefly arrived at the farm she was pregnant with a baby girl named Flora. Today, Flora is still only a few months old and still drinks her mother's milk, but when Flora no longer needs her mother then it will be time for Wesley to mate with Firefly and Gethin. 

 Flora

Photo Credit: John Chester

Puppies with Basil

Photo Credit: John Chester

The day before I was heading home two new puppies arrived at the farm. Ones a girl, Ginger and the other is a boy, Pops ( short for poppy seed). They seem to be getting along well with Sage and Basil (the older dogs).