The Daily Bleat - June Issue

Alpaca Yoga - A Unique Activity on Farms!

Many people love to hang out with cute animals. And recently yoga has become a popular passtime aswell. But where do those seemingly unrelated things merge? The answer…Alpaca Yoga! This idea was originally started from the equally popular Goat yoga and soon took people by storm. It is believed the be popularized from a farm in England called Rosebud Alpacas however now many alpacas farms are doing it.

Yoga has become a favorite hobby of many because it brings peace and meditation. And with the new addition of sweet and docile alpacas it’s even more enjoyable. Alpacas also have fun with the experience because the participants hold out food in their palm while doing poses. The space is usually large, allowing the animals to roam around and chose which humans they want to take food from. While the idea is very unique and new it is very inviting and plenty sign up when farms host their alpaca yoga classes.

One participant, Erin Bridges, spoke well of her experience with the alpacas. She said in the interview that she really liked yoga and thought it would be great to spend time with animals at the same time. “And its a different kind of experience than if you go to a petting zoo or a farm. Because there’s always like a fence or something whereas this it’s like they’re in there with you”. She explained her time with the alpacas was very enjoyable, having gone with her cousin for the first time 2 years ago. Erin stated that she had a great time and would be excited to return this summer for her third time.

At first she was confused about the alpacas because she thought they would spit like llamas. But during the time with them she learned new things about the farm animals. While being an entertaining class, alpacas yoga can also spread helpful information about alpacas and other farm animals. Erin figured that they would be shy but they turned out to me more social. They let the yoga participants pet them though only on the head and neck. Alpacas are more docile than llamas although the two are often confused. They’re great companions when it comes to doing yoga because they have a sense of peace about them.

Alpacas have shown to be very different from llamas. Those who work with them compare llamas to be more like dogs because they spit and can be aggressive. Alpacas are often shown alike to cats because of their gentle manner. They can be quite affectionate to humans that they trust, always accepting snacks. Their kind way to being is why alpaca farms have started hosting yoga classes. Yoga is a calm activity which attracts them because they like gentle movements.

Erin Bridges greatly suggested alpaca yoga when asked. “We’ve gone back once since we first went and I think its something that we always look for dates too in the summers”. Going to activities like alpaca yoga is also a great way to support local farms. It’s a creative way to involve yourself and others into the community while also getting to spend time with nice animals. According to Erin it is nice to go in summers and early fall. A visit to an alpaca yoga class is a fun and educational experience which can also help support farms.

Science Corner - The Mimicking Weed

It’s always tough to create a coherent garden from scratch. Finding the right plants, fertilizing the soil and ensuring enough shade and sun is provided. However the largest problem that gardeners face is the life-eating weeds infiltrating their garden. Most are used to obvious ones like dandelions, they stick out and can be pulled up. But what happens when nefarious weeds pretend to be…flowers? Recently gardeners in the U.S have been reporting sightings of a troublesome weed that mimics flowers as to remain inconspicuous.

Goutweed can look very similar to Wild Carrot and Yarrow. The weed has small compound white flowers and broad green leaves. The look of it can differ, leading to it being able to easily hide in other plants. It takes over the garden by growing a thick root deep into the dirt and spreading its stems all over its chosen area. The way it pops up is similar to the underground connection of a mushroom’s mycelium. It grows taller than the other plants, taking away their nutrients. The leaves of the weed are also quite simple, blending in with the other garden plants. It is an invasive plant from Europe and has spread throughout the americas.

One gardener named Laurie Sloan reported about her experience dealing with Goutweed. She said that the weed has spread all throughout her garden, even growing under the brick path she put in. Her main strategy is to uproot the weed whenever she sees it but it is still there. “It will take me years to remove it” She said, explaining how it has grown deep in the soil. The root is extremely difficult to remove and as long it is there the Goutweed will keep coming back.

Laurie Sloan teaches children about the outdoors as a job and is very fond of gardening. But this invasive plant has been sabotaging her garden, making all her plants struggle greatly. She has even discovered that people have made support groups for those dealing with Goutweed because of how annoying and impossible it is too deal with. Since it’s invasive there isn’t any plants or animals to counter-act the weed. Its disrupting the ecosystem and causing harm to any gardens in the americas.

While attempting to remove the intrusive weed she accidentally uprooted plants she wanted. It disguises itself, leading more trouble and difficulty with its removal. The weed does’t travel as others do. Since it grows out from a single root it can’t go far under sidewalks and driveways. It currently stays in her garden, taking all the substances from her garden. Laurie said that the best method is remove the growing weeds and fast as possible and to find the underground root. Though it is difficult to remove finding is very important to stop it from spreading.

Goutweed is an invasive plant which mimics flowers like Wild Carrot and Yarrow. Gardener Laurie Sloan offered advice to everyday gardeners finding this weed in their garden. Its important to hear from non-experts because it can offer insight for forms of firsthand knowledge. Removing the large root is the best choice because if it stays there then the weed will continue to return. As Goutweed becomes more problematic we can see how plants are adapting to the world.

Allegheny Goats in New Places

The non-profit Allegheny Goatscaping has recently started going to areas with their goats. Many lawns and hillsides need to be trimmed as springtime turns into summer. The teams, Hobo, Diamond, Sunshine and the Golden Goats are back in action. Different plants including Knotweed, Poison Ivy and Goutweed have started to spread leading the goats needing to be called on.

Recently there was a “Bleat & Greet” on May 29th at Allegheny City Brewing. The goat team The Golden Goats was gathered there to greet their fans. The Golden Goats team is accompanied by miniature donkey Pete. Dice, Dot, Excite and Diana received a lot of pets and snacks from the may people who showed up. They were fed long sticks of Knotweed in addition to hay although they were much more interested in the weedy treat. Allegheny Brewing Tap also served a new beer called Goat Face, donating 10% of its profits to the Goatscaping non-profit.

It was a great experience, both for humans and goat. Goats Excite and Diana stuck together for most of the time due to the fact that they are a bonded pair. The goats are bonded together by ensuring they are in safe environments and by introducing them properly. Some goats have become especially close, rarely wanting to leave each others sides, like Diana and Excite.

Occasionally the goats may get annoyed with another, wether its over food or personal space. However there aren’t any long standing feuds noted regularly, the goats get along quite well. To handle any goat disagreements the staff will temporarily separate them and calm them both down. The miniature donkeys also can assist with preventing fights because they make the goats feel safe. Every herd is lead by a donkey for which the herd is named after.

Miniature donkeys are herd animals, meaning they have the natural instinct to protect their herd. Whenever they placed with the goats they’ll decide that the goats are theirs and protect them. Allegheny Goatscaping chose donkeys for numerous reasons. While there are other guardian animals such as geese, alpacas and herding dogs they decided on donkeys. The miniature donkeys were bred specially to have a deep rooted hatred for canines. Protecting against coyotes and stray dogs was very important for them because they are common predators of goats in Pittsburgh. They wanted to put the goats safety first because they knew the donkeys will be able to intimidate and scare away any hunters.

Currently there are different teams spread out to select locations. Team diamond is at the waterfront eating invasive plants for the month of May. Team sunshine is at Junction Hollow. The goats are mostly taking care of Knotweed currently, an invasive plant in Pittsburgh. They have since been “spoiled” according to the staff because they will only like to eat their Knotweed and not the hay. Contrary to the myth goats can’t actually eat anything. The staff has to block off poisonous plants like milkweed from the herd to ensure they aren’t sick. But they don’t remove it since its vital for butterflies, they simply prevent the goats from going near it while grazing.

Allegheny Goatscaping is doing many different Bleat & Greets in May and August. Upcoming events include August 7th at Allegheny River trail Park with Team Hobo. And in Highland Park is Team Diamond on the 13th. Going to these events is a great way to support the non-profit and to learn more about the goats. It is great to have a group of incredible people and goats making real change in Pittsburgh, goat by goat.

Seasonal Update

This update shows the flowers and fruits in bloom during the month of June. Blueberries and Rahsberries will be coming very soon in the season. Sunflowers are starting to bloom but they won’t be ready for picking until August. It is exicting to see these flowers and fruits grow, as they do each year. Be sure to visit your local farm and do U-pick events, they’re great ways to engage with your community!

Spotlight - JD Steele Farm

In the summer time it’s always nice to be outside. And a common activity is to pick fruits and flowers at farms. There are many great farms to visit but one in particular is JD Steele Farm. This family-owned business thrives with bunches of different produce including strawberries and seasonal flowers. They also have sheep, chickens, cows and horses. Their farm is beautifully organized, the flowers and strawberries blooming in summer time. Currently there is U-Pick strawberries available for the next few months.

The flowers will be in full bloom by July, make sure to visit then! They have countless types to choose from and all will make a wonderful bouquet. You can get potted ones at the stand to plant in your garden to start off the summer garden strong. They have vases there to chose from as well so you can find the perfect match for your flower bunch. Early morning and late afternoon is the best time to pick them, they say, but any time is a great time to visit JD Steele Farm.

Their farm was first started in the 1930s, the Steele family dating back to Ireland. A visit here will be a wonderful way to spend a warm summer day. JD Steele farm is located at 1308 W. Henrietta Road, Avon, NY. Their passion for the farm shines through with the welcoming way they present it. Everyone who goes here will leave with the best flower, fruit and experience.

Bell Training Chickens

It its well known that dogs can be trained to do simple tasks like sit or roll over. But other animals, like chickens, may be capable of learning things as well, but using a bell. Training farm chickens can be beneficial, both for them and the farm. It can enrich their minds, leading to better quality of life. Training can also build trust with them because you spend more time with them. In addition to that teaching them to follow commands can help you keep track of all the chickens.

Most people underestimate the intelligence of chickens. Phrases like “bird brained” have been thrown around for years, making it seem like there isn’t anything going on in the brains of chickens (or other birds). However, being social animals chickens can form connections with humans. They’ve even been seen imitating human vocal patterns went spoken to. But since people don’t often test their ability it’s difficult to understand the fullest of their intelligence.

One of ways to train chickens is to teach them to come at the sound of a bell. To train them to do this you should begin with ringing the bell whenever you’re feeding them. They will begin to associate the bell sound with their food. After ringing it during their feeding time for at least a week to start you can begin to ring it while they’re free-ranging. They will come to where they hear the bell because they have learned that the sound means food.

You should continue to feed them after the bell sound even when they trained for them to remember the meaning and trust it. This will be useful for when you see a hawk or other predator hunting them. They will be able to make it safely to their coop as a group because they have been trained. This can also be beneficial when its sunset and the chickens have to be put away for safety. The full training of the chickens should take at least a month to fully set in for them. However ringing the bell too often will make it loose meaning because it is always rung, therefore not unique to them anymore.

One chicken, Rosita, was a solo chicken. She didn’t have a flock but that didn’t seem to bother her. She had a deep connection with the family that adopted her. Her family used the bell training with her and she quickly picked it up. Rosita was a kind and gentle chicken who had amazing intelligence. She always enjoyed the company of people and showed great interest in other tricks too. Rosita liked to peck a mini xylophone and make music. Rosita showed how chickens are brilliant animals, especially her.

Bell training chickens is a beneficial way to connect with the flock. You can build trust with them by spending quality time with them and taking care of them with their favorite snacks. Training them will also enrich their minds because they have great intelligence. When they hear the bell the flock will know to go to it, leading to better safety around predators and sun down. Rosita’s story showed that its important to value all animals because they’re all worth the time.

Credits

Laurie Sloan - Interview

Erin Bridges - Interview & picture

Jessica Canton - Picture

Allegheny Goatscaping Staff - Information

JD Steele Farm - https://www.jdsteelefarm.com/u-pickflowers