Country Critters The Big Red Barn
MVPs of the Barn
Country Critters The Big Red Barn
Therapy Goats
Goats are social animals and will often form a strong bond with their human caretakers. With regular interaction and training, they can serve as emotional support animals providing therapeutic assistance to children, individuals with anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder and even to those in assisted living communities.
Farm Animals’ Hidden Talents and Odd Jobs
By Mara Watts
When people think of farm animals, they often picture a basket of eggs, a glass of milk and farm fresh meat. But behind the scenes, these animals do so much more. From turning compost to warding off barn and garden pests, these farm critters are happy to jump in and help.
Let’ s meet some of the ultimate multi-taskers around the barnyard: chickens, cats, goats and even pigs!
Chickens
Chickens offer farmers and homesteaders more than just fresh eggs and meat. In the garden, they can help turn compost and control harmful pests.
Natural Compost Turners
Gardeners know that compost is essential to improving soil health, providing them with healthier, more productive plants. But many conventional composting systems and barrels can be quite an investment. Not to mention, the time and effort it takes to turn and maintain the pile. Instead, let the chickens take on this chore.
How to Use Chickens for Compost Turning:
• Create a compost pile in an area where chickens have daily access.
• Add compostable materials like food scraps and
livestock bedding to the pile regularly.
• As they forage, the chickens will scratch, drop manure, eat bugs and stir up the organic materials. This accelerates decomposition and creates nutrient-rich compost to use in the garden.
Organic Pest Control
With chickens around, many common garden pests don’ t stand a chance.
Chickens enjoy foraging for insects and will gladly feast on ticks, beetles, grubs and other bugs. This reduces the need for chemical pesticides while providing your chickens with a healthy, balanced diet.
Word of caution: Although chickens are excellent at keeping garden pests at bay, they can cause damage by scratching, digging and eating young plants. To protect crops, avoid giving chickens full access to the garden
during the growing season. Instead, consider adding a chicken tunnel( also known as a“ chunnel”) around the garden perimeter.
Barnyard Cats
Cats are among the many barnyard most valuable players( MVPs), providing farmers with natural rodent control and furry companionship.
Rodent Patrol
Rats, mice and even snakes can become a problem if left unaddressed around the farm.
Fortunately, barnyard cats offer a natural solution. With their hunting instincts, they help keep barns, sheds, chicken coops and feed bins rodent-free.
Furry Companions
Although rodent patrol may be their primary role, barnyard cats can also serve as loving companions for their owners.
To encourage working cats to be friendly, provide a safe environment with plenty of food and clean water. Reward friendly behavior with gentle pets, praise and tasty treats.
Goats
Goats are more than productive livestock. They are loyal companions, and an excellent alternative to the bush hog and weed eater.
Weed Control
Ditch the lawn equipment and opt for a natural, handsoff weeding alternative— goats!
These loveable livestock are excellent at controlling weeds and overgrowth. They love to forage and will gladly gnaw away at invasive plants, woody shrubs, briars and even poison ivy. This is especially helpful for steep hills that are difficult to access and mow.
Pigs
Pigs provide farmers with a rich source of protein, but they can do so much more. When integrated into a sustainable land management plan, pigs can also help regenerate the land and reduce food waste.
Sustainable Land Management
Sustainable land management( SLM) is a practice that uses natural resources and animals to enrich and preserve the land. Rotational grazing, for example, is a key component.
Pigs are an excellent choice for practicing SLM on farm and pastureland. Due to their natural instinct to root with their snouts, pigs mimic rototillers and plows, effectively turning over soil, uprooting stumps and roots, aerating and fertilizing the soil.
To prevent overgrazing, keep a close eye on the grass. A good rule of thumb is to rotate pigs onto fresh ground one to two days before the grass begins to die.
Natural Garbage Disposals
In addition to bagged grain feed, pigs enjoy eating a variety of foods, making them excellent natural garbage disposals. They will eat kitchen scraps and leftover foods, helping to reduce food waste.
Offer pigs:
• Bread, in moderation.
• Fresh fruit and vegetable scraps.
• Dairy products like milk, cheese and yogurt.
• Cooked beans and rice.
Note: Never feed pigs harmful or toxic foods such as meats, onions, avocados or any old and moldy foods.
As you can see, barnyard animals do far more than provide food. They contribute in unique and, sometimes, unexpected ways. Whether it’ s chickens turning compost, goats clearing weeds, cats on mouse patrol or pigs gobbling up food scraps, each animal serves its purpose in their own special way.
12 AcreageLife August 2025 AcreageLife. com
AcreageLife. com August 2025 AcreageLife 13