Pets in cities and towns are a much seen practice. People want them as an alternative for a friend and a companion which they elsewhere cannot find. However, more often you can even see people flaunting their pets as some sort of status symbol in front of their colleagues. The costlier the breeds you have the more respect you receive. Although these are just assumptions and ego bubbles that people have built around them. Irrespective of this entire show buzz there are people who need pets instead of wanting them. Well, the wordplay here is the leap between need and want.
Not everyone buys a pet as a friend to pass their alone time. Sometimes it is more than that. Why go away for an example! The most known and familiar person here is the farmer. A farmer is a person who earns a living for himself out of the little digging he does on the field with the help of his friends. The friends here am talking about is none other than his pets i.e. the domestic animals he takes care of and who takes care of him. Logically, it might be a question of argument whether a domestic animal can be counted as a pet but if you go by the pros and cons list you will definitely understand the similarities.
You must know the number of pets farmers holds, but hardly few people might know their role in his life. No need to worry at all, here is the right place to enlighten you! These are some of the very common pets and their chores that a farmer usually have:
- CHICKENS: These can even be called as domesticated birds which are commonly seen in every farm. There is even a huge poultry business that is conducted on the basis of these tiny creatures. There are over 150 breeds of chicken all over the world. Chickens are found at a farmers place as they provide him with eggs. For people who don’t know, another fact about chickens is that their waste product makes excellent fertilizer.
- GOATS: Goat is an amazingly versatile animal. Apart from the basic uses that we are familiar with – as meat, for milk and fibre. Goats are widely used for much other purpose. The soft and mild milk that we get from the goats can be used as soap too, especially for sensitive skin. Not just this, goats are even used as browsers. They eat all the weeds and clear the land for the farmers.
- DUCKS: Ducks similar to the hens/chickens are kept for eggs and meat. However, they are even kept for ornamental and pets value. Ducks make outstanding pets. They clean your homes of pest, slugs and other insects by eating them. They just need a water dish, big enough to swim. They usually are found near water based areas and hence are also called as “Waterfowls”.
- SHEEPS: Looking at sheep’s, the very first expression one might have is that these are expressionless creatures. Well as a matter of fact, it is not totally wrong. Sheep’s are docile and down to earth animals. They make very good pets and supply a lot to the farmer. They also provide with milk, meat, fibre etc. They are humble creatures, with very less maintenance.
- HORSES: Horses altogether fall in a very different category of work. They belong to the equus family, the same family of donkeys, mules etc. They are quick and strong mammals. They are usually categorized as working animals for treks, transportation and other such on road work. They make outstanding companion as studies show they can understand their owner.
- PIGS: Everyone has a kind of gross feeling whenever around a pig. People have this belief that pigs are dirty animals. However, this is not true. Pigs in reality are very clean animals. They roll around in the mud to keep their body temperature cool which they cannot do normally on their own like the humans. They are kept for flesh.
- LLAMAAS: These are hefty camellia that was first originated in North America and then later moved to South America. They are not seen in India or anywhere near Asia. They are disciplined animals and make excellent pets. The striking features of these domestics are that they look after your other pets as a guard and lowers you worries.
- HOUNDS: This is a type that falls in the dog category but is not really a dog. These are kept by a farmer for the purpose of hunting any wild creature wandering around your pets. They are wild but with proper training makes loyal pets
- COWS: Last but definitely not least, this is the most common and widely seen animal at a farm. It is like a farmer cannot function without a cow. There are several uses of a cow. The milk that it provides is used for making several dairy products like cheese, butter, buttermilk, ghee, oil, even cosmetics. They are strong and bulky animals and hence are even used in ploughing and harrowing procedures.
So these were some of the known domestic pets that belong to a farmer. These pets require less care as compared to the city pets that might require 24hrs attention. But they provide more than them in comparison. Since, they usually stay together in a shed like the cows, hens ducks etc, they even look after each other at times. We see how a cat and dog can’t usually stand each other, in a farm the case is vice versa. You need not worry about such clashes unless if there’s some unfamiliar new entry in the group. Thus, these were the farmers’ best friends that always support; help him in all his ups and downs.
