February is all about love, and around here, that includes the furry, woolly and hoofed kind. One of the first things people learn when they start raising animals is that a lot of them simply cannot be happy alone. They need a buddy. Or ten. So in honor of Valentine's Day, let's talk about friendship on the farm.
Alpacas: never just one
Alpacas are herd animals through and through. In the wild, their ancestors survived by sticking together and watching out for predators as a group. That instinct is still strong today. A lone alpaca gets stressed, anxious and can even get sick. That's why you should never, ever keep just one alpaca. When I got into alpacas, I quickly learned that one turns into three, three turns into six, and well... you can see how that goes.
Goats: social butterflies with hooves
Goats are incredibly social, too. They play, butt heads, cuddle up together and generally keep each other entertained (and out of trouble, sort of). A goat without goat friends tends to get lonely and loud. Our goats are a tight-knit, mischievous little crew, and they'd have it no other way.
Sheep: safety in numbers
Sheep feel safest in a flock. Separating one from the group can make it really anxious. Watch our Valais Blacknose sheep for a few minutes and you'll notice they tend to move, graze and rest close together. It's their comfort zone.
Cattle, donkeys and pigs need pals, too
- Cattle are social and form real bonds with their herdmates. Our mini Highland cattle are no exception.
- Donkeys are famous for forming strong attachments to a companion, and can get very upset if separated.
- Kune Kune pigs are friendly and social, and they enjoy company (especially if that company is sharing a sunny nap spot).
Friendship is part of good care
Food, water, shelter and vet care are the obvious parts of keeping animals healthy. But companionship is just as important. Happy animals live in groups that make sense for their species, with friends they trust. When you visit, take a minute to watch how the animals interact. You'll see little moments of connection everywhere: two alpacas lying side by side, goats napping in a pile, cattle grazing nose to nose.
A lesson for the rest of us
Honestly, I think the animals have it figured out. Life is better with your people around you. This Valentine's Day, celebrate your herd, whether that's a partner, your kids, your best friends or the dog who sleeps on your feet.
Bring your favorite person
Looking for a fun Valentine's outing? A farm date is cute, different and comes with plenty of photo ops. We're open 10am to 4pm every day, rain, shine or snow. Check out our farm tours and bring someone you love to meet some animals who love each other, too.
