The hard reality of free range farming

​The truth is, there is a hard reality that you will face when you think of raising free ranging animals. 
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It will be hard for you to bear, because witnessing these precious animals in there natural environment will change your heart forever. 

It is such a painful thought for me to think of caging and penning animals for the entirety of there lives with nothing to stimulate their minds except the thought of when they can get their next meal, turning them into dull lifeless shells instead of the vibrant souls that they can be. 

Being a change in these animals lives and providing them this kind of paradise has fulfilled my soul in ways I could have never dreamed. 

I leave my house and walk outside and the sounds and sights that greet me are baffling.
The horses whinny at me from all areas around.
The chickens, geese, pigs and goats will literally come running as one giant flock the moment I turn the door handle. 

They all come to our house and eat around us while we sit on the porch. The chickens and dogs will walk and eat amongst each other. The goats and the pigs eat in the middle of them. The horses will even come for some corn and before you know it you have a huge herd of animals all around you. Happily co existing. 

They all know their names.
They all come when they're called.
They all eat out of your hand. 
They follow you everywhere.
They play with us.
They do funny things that make us laugh.
They live and interact with each other in harmony. 

Far from the standard beliefs. Animals are smart, sensitive, emotional, loving and funny. We gave these animals a chance to live a life like nature intended, and they thrived beyond belief. 

Our chickens have a whole social network and hierarchy system, they have favorite foods and foods that they hate. Some chickens love some things while others dislike it. We built them play places, a sand box, and perches.
They come out of their house in the morning calling and crowing, running and playing. Every night they file into their coop as the sun goes down, one by one, until they are all in.
Only then followed by their protector the rooster "General Patton".
hey have individual personalities. They are amazing. 

Our goats are hilarious. They do so many funny things. They will even ask you for things. Our big red goat "Pachi" stretches and puts her leg up on you because she wants you to massage her knees. She does this to all the people that she likes. Even visitors that come to the ranch.... and she will thank you before walking away. 

Our pigs Bonnie and Clyde were our most recent additions and we weren't quite sure how the others would react. We brought home these two little piglets, and immediately our Blue Heeler "Percy" took up with them. He sat next to them, licked them, and making them comfortable in their new surroundings, he protected them... and for the last couple months has been a constant sidekick in their daily activities.

Our horses.. after the initial shock of new noises and smells, warmed right up to them, and now eat hay and corn with the pigs. 

They are more human than animal.
More human than humans to tell you the truth.
When you scratch them they will stretch with enjoyment.
When you rub Bonnie's stomach she will literally flop over, close her eyes and enjoy every second that you are touching her. 

Every animal on our ranch is distinctly different yet amazingly similar in their ability to love and interact with us. We get more enjoyment from them than any movie could ever give you. So many stories unfold in front of us everyday. We are so inspired to tell their stories. Write books about them. Even make movies about them.

There are so many other animals and interactions that I could tell you about, and I haven't even mentioned everybody, but I could write about them for a lifetime. 

So yes there is certainly a hard reality to free ranging animals. 

Once you walk through that door and you look inside to the pure energy of these creatures,  and you live with them every day,  they become your children....

You will never be able to look into the face of another animal without questioning....

What is going through there mind?
What do they love to do? 
What are their dreams?...
I wonder what kind of quirks they have...
How funny could they be?

Not everyone can support free ranging animals... and that's understandable. But many people still want these animals. But just remember that it is not simply an animal that you keep at your house or in a cage. But a soul that is entering your life and trusting you with theirs. ​