|
|
|
|
Hello Farm Friends:
Greetings from Julie and me and everyone at Flamig Farm, including the animals. I include the animals in my message to our readers because, in my opinion, animals are capable not only of greeting you but of many other amazing things.
This newsletter is dedicated to all our farm animals who bring joy and share humor with our guests and who, as fellow passengers on our beautiful earth, are capable of much more than most of us humans give them credit for. Please read on.
You, your families and friends are always welcome on the Farm and we hope you come visit us soon. Farmers Nevin |
|
| Smarter than the average...
According to an article in the New York Times Science Section, published last month and quoted here, a new study challenges our idea of what it means to be a 'bird brain.' According to Edward Wasserman from the University of Iowa who reviewed the study, "Birds are extremely intelligent and our problem pretty much lies in figuring out how to get them to 'talk to us or tell us how smart they really are."
Researchers (zoologists) from the University of Oxford showed for the first time that non humans (in this case ducklings) can learn relationships between concepts without training. These researchers first exposed day old ducklings to certain objects. Then they exposed them to a similar but different set of objects. Later, when given a choice between objects, 70% of ducklings gather around the first set of objects. What does this mean? Well ducklings go through a rapid learning process called 'imprinting' shortly after birth--its what allows them to identify and follow their mothers. The study findings suggest that ducklings use abstract relationships between sensory imports like color, shape (represented by the test objects) to recognized their mothers. The study strongly implies that animals consider context when identifying objects in their environment!
How exciting that this study, according to Dr. Wasserman, makes clear that "animals process and appreciate far more of the intricacies in their world than we've every understood."
|
| | | Special talents and many surprises... Here at Flamig Farm, we like to challenge each other with fun facts about our beloved animals. You'll often find one of asking another, "Did you know that goats...?" Or Did you know that donkeys can...?" Well, let me share with you some of the things we have discovered by watching our animals and sharing cool facts with each other. Perhaps your family will start a small tradition of being amazed by the diversity and abilities of our fellow creatures. - Goats and sheep don’t have teeth on their upper jaw. They have a hard palate that helps them grind their food.
- Goats are natural 'camp counsellors' making great companions for other farm animals, including horses, cows, and chickens.
- Sheep make a bleating sound. A baby lamb can identify its mother by her bleat!
- One mature ewe (female sheep) produces 7 to 10 pounds of newly shorn wool a year – enough to make a man’s suit.
- The goat is among the cleanest of animals (Who knew?), and is a much more selective feeder than cows, sheep, pigs, chickens and even dogs. Goats do eat many different species of plants, but do not want to eat food that has been contaminated or that has been on the floor or the ground.
- The chicken is the closest living relative to the T-Rex. Next time you're here, take a close look at a chicken's foot; would be a scary weapon if the bird weren't so small.
- Some breeds of chickens can lay colored eggs. The Ameraucana and Araucana can lay eggs of green or blue. Bring on Easter!
- Chickens have over 200 distinct noises they can make for communicating.
- Pigs are considered the 4th most intelligent animal (after chimpanzees, dolphins, and elephants).
- A group of pigs is called a “sounder.” Is that because they snort loudly, I wonder? A group of gees is called a gaggle. I think the job of naming groups of animals could be great fun.
- Cows can recognize their names (though they may not come when called!).
- Cows have a memory of about three years. (That's more than I seem to have sometimes!)
- Cows are social animals who form bonds with each other. In a herd of cows, many will form cliques together.
- Goats are great swimmers.
- Some wild goats can climb trees and can walk along a ledge not much wider than a tightrope.
- Geese are faithful, mate for life, and mourn when their partner dies.
- Pigs can run 11 miles per hour – that’s faster than a six minute mile! Look out, Usan Bolt.
- Cows can sense a storm coming and will lie down. Watching them on the Farm, I trust them more than some TV weather-casters.
- Goats have rectangular pupils, allowing them to see well in the dark.
- Pigs don’t have sweat glands, so they must roll in mud to stay cool, and that could be one reason they often to roll in the mud. We don't see them as dirty in the winter as the summer.
|
| | | "Always in our thoughts; forever in our hearts." You probably have already heard that our frequent visitors and fans encouraged us to install a paved stroller/wheelchair walkway on the Farm. Well, it's happening. For a very limited time, you have the opportunity to become a permanent member of the Farm by purchasing a paver. To learn more, please visit www.flamigfarm.com. Your paver will memorialize and preserve your love and admiration for a favorite pet, a beloved family member or even a special event in your life.
|
| |
|
|
| We welcome hearing from you any time. To check in, please visit our website, www.flamigfarm.com, or call us at 860.658.5070. |
|
|
|
|
|
