Homesteading can be really fun and rewarding. It can also be really sad and defeating. It’s important to remember that sometimes you learn as you go and there’s no perfect way to do it.
This weekend I experienced by first homesteading heartbreak.
Your Animals Become Your Friends
Some farmers or homesteaders will tell you that you shouldn’t name or befriend your animals. I beg to differ. I like having a little friendship with my animals. Now, if I was planning to eat those animals maybe I wouldn’t want to do that. Maybe I’d like to keep some space. Who knows if I’ll ever get to the homesteading stage of eating my animals, though.
I free range my flock and talk to them enough that they know my voice and come to me when I call. They know they get snacks and good treats when I come out yelling “chick chick, duck duck!” Because of this, I get to spend a lot of time with them and know their little personalities. That brings me a lot of joy.
Your Friends Can Make You Sad
Just like with people, your friends can make you sad. This weekend my friendly ducks did just that.
Saturday morning three of my four ducks vanished. I don’t know where they went or what happened to them. The saddest part was that the littlest, shiest one got left behind. For 2 days she walked around to all their favorite spots, quacking and calling out to her friends. She swam in the pool by herself. Quacking all day. She tried to hang out with the chickens but you could tell she was a bit of an outsider with them. Ducks are very social and need duck friends. Chickens are more like acquaintances. It’s not the same.
I made plans for her to go live with a friend that also has ducks so she wouldn’t be so lonely. I couldn’t take the sad duck walk anymore. It was just so depressing.
Sunday night, after they had been gone for two days, I went to lock Honey (the lone duck) and the chickens in the coop for the evening. To our surprise, one of the missing ducks was curled up in the corner!! I can’t tell you the relief I felt knowing she wouldn’t be alone anymore.
Sadly, the other two have still not returned. I like to think they are out exploring and finding new ponds to swim in. It’s better than the alternative. And who knows, they might come back.
I think at the end of the day, it’s a good reason to be sad. Those little guys can bring you so much joy and happy memories. If I wasn’t sad that they were gone, what’s the point in having them to begin with?
