Independence Homestead

For all the diversity in this world, some things are universal. Like how children rub their eyes when they’re tired. Or how the minute they see a flock of chickens, they’re chasing after the birds. We have ducks in the front, and the minute children step out of a vehicle they’re tearing after the ducks.

On the surface, chasing livestock seems harmless. After all, the children rarely catch the animals. They’re not really hurting the creatures, right? In truth, there are some significant problems caused by this chasing behavior.

One fundamental issue is we want our livestock to trust humans, and every time animals are chased  by children they trust humans less. Livestock are prey creatures, not predators. Their instincts tell them to flee danger because they have no chance if they stand and fight. So when they’re running from a child, they think they are running for their lives. This is not a game for the livestock. They are being pursued by a loud creature several times their size. In their minds they are being pursued by a predator that may kill them. Do you think it’s good for an animal to feel that way? Do you think that creates an environment where they trust us and it’s easy for us to handle our animals? Every time a child chases one of our animals, it makes it that much more difficult for us to work with that creature.

Another big problem with chasing livestock is that it causes stress to the animals, and stress is a major detriment to an animal’s immune system. Two aspects are key to an animal’s health: stress, and diet. If you keep an animal relaxed and eating good stuff, you keep an animal healthy. They’re just like humans in that way! We are purposeful in setting up living environments that do not put undue stress on our livestock. As a result, we enjoy healthy livestock.  Chasing undermines our efforts in this regard, and poses a health risk.

If you have your own livestock and your children are chasing or otherwise stressing your animals, that may be the cause of behavior or health problems you’re experiencing.

While chasing chickens, ducks, or goats seems like innocent fun for children, it’s not innocent or fun for the animals. So please teach your children to respect animals, and not chase them.