Kite’s Nest (even the name sounds idyllic!) is a very free-range farm with beef cattle, sheep and hens, where Rosamund Young and her family ensure the occupants have as natural a life as possible.
Rosamund says: “Cows are as varied as people. They can be highly intelligent, moderately so or slow to understand; friendly, considerate, aggressive, docile, inventive, dull, proud or shy.”
You may find this hard to believe. After all, we perhaps rarely think about how and where farm animals live, let alone about what they think, their likes and dislikes, and what friendships they may have with their own species and with others. We have really under-estimated them. Read the book ” The Secret Life of Cows” and be amazed!
Kite’s Nest Farm is really exceptional in the variety and beauty of all the creatures and plants that it hosts. Their film, ”The Secret Life of the Farm”, follows the farm animals, wildlife and the farm through the seasons.
Friends at Kites Nest. Image courtesy of Rosamund Young
A second film, “The Calf’s Year,” is just enchanting. Calves are playful, lively and interested in the world. This is a lovely film and it’s a really relaxing watch.
You might also like to see the Kite’s Nest website and blog.
Details of the book and films:
Young, R. (2006). The Secret Life of Cows: Animal sentience at work. The Good Life Press
Young, R. (2006). The Calf’s Year. The Good Life Press. Film, 40 mins approx
Young, R. (2004). The Secret Life of the Farm. The Good Life Press. Film, 60 mins approx
Tags: animal agriculture, animal farming, Cattle, cow, friendship, Natural behaviour