Now that we have cows, we have cow plops. Big surprise.
Fillet, being an especially big girl, leaves especially big plops. Yet somehow, magically, each and every day these cow plops are flattened and spread out. In this manner they crumble and dry out quickly, and soon blend into the dirt of the corral.
At the moment, we don't have any chickens to accomplish this helpful miracle. How was it happening?
As it turns out, it was the magic of the forest chickens.
Early each morning, the forest chickens (otherwise known as pheasants) descend upon the corral and the richness of fresh overnight cow plops, and get to work.
One by one, they scratch their way through the cow plops, looking for insects or bits of seed, just like any domestic chicken would do.
I've caught as many as five at any one time, almost always early in the morning when I release the cows.
Just part of nature's clean-up crew. And, like any clean-up crew, they're very much appreciated.
There's a flock of turkeys here that do this.
ReplyDeleteWell now, how 'bout that? I was born to cattle and horses in the Pacific Northwest (back when Harry Truman was still in office). We had neither domestic nor forest chickens, so the manure remained intact until rain (mostly) and sunshine (sometimes) broke them down over time. I learned something new today! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteIf it were not for nature's clean-up crews, our world would be nasty, stinky, and dangerous.
ReplyDeleteLet’s not forget the dung beatles!
ReplyDelete