The Ups and Downs of Rearing Animals and Farming

The joy of receiving rewards for one's effort is always fulfilling and knows no bounds. Just this morning, one of my goats gave birth after about five months of pregnancy. I wasn’t even expecting it to give birth now since I couldn’t determine the exact time it got pregnant. However, to my surprise, it delivered one offspring this morning. Although I was hoping it might give birth to two since it’s a first-time mother, one is not bad either.

I remember when I bought them last year. They were four in total—one male and three female goats. Unfortunately, only one of them survived. The one that survived is the one that gave birth today. I did my best by calling a veterinary doctor, but in the end, they still died. I just believe that’s one of the pains associated with rearing animals. I didn’t have much experience then, so maybe that’s why it happened that way.

There are a lot of challenges associated with rearing animals. My hens, despite reproducing often, have been facing attacks from a particular wild animal that keeps killing them. Just yesterday, about three of my hens were killed. I felt bad, but what can I do? I’m still trying to figure out the best way to prevent further attacks, but I haven’t found a solution yet.

Another challenge I have is with my rabbits. It’s almost two years now since I bought them, but they are yet to reproduce. I have taken them for mating several times, but nothing has worked. At one point, one of them even suffocated inside the car. The male I initially bought died, and the one I got about a month ago became paralyzed after getting stuck while trying to run around in the cage.

Apart from the animals I rear, the rate at which weeds have overtaken my garden is alarming. In just two weeks after the third rainfall, weeds have covered almost all the land. I was amazed at how quickly this happened. I don’t even know the best way to deal with it. I’m considering whether to clear the weeds now or wait until the cassava and maize I planted grow.

I do have some good news, though. On the other part of the land where I made ridges, the maize and vegetables I planted have grown well. I was surprised at how quickly the plants germinated.

It’s truly a mixture of pain and joy.