If you’ve been by the farm lately, you know that our Belgian Mules, Laverne and Shirley, pretty much dominate the skyline. Surrounded by miniature goats, miniature cows and a miniature donkey, not to mention a handful of laying hens and 11 turkeys, the girls tower over everything like skyscrapers in Lilliput.
The mules are positively gorgeous and can be quite fun, though they do get moody from time to time and want to be left alone. They are powerful, energetic and offer a kind of interaction you can never get from a tractor or an ATV. We love them.
There are, however, some downsides to owning draft mules. First, they eat like horses. Sorry, couldn’t resist. Seriously, though, these girls can put away some grub. The two of them go through pasture grass like a mower. And they are chowing down a big round bale of hay about every two weeks. That in itself is no big deal, but what goes in, must come out. Wow, can those ladies produce manure. We will have enough fertilizer in the spring for every organic garden in metro Atlanta. I could spend hours every day just cleaning up after them, never mind the rest of the chores.
Another downside to owning draft mules is the cost of horse drawn farm equipment. Frankly, we can’t afford to buy it new and haven’t found any used equipment in decent shape. Not true, we did get one saddle from a cousin of Brittan’s. And we did buy harnesses with the mules. There’s just nothing to hook them to. So until we can come up with the coin to get a wagon or at least a fore cart, the mules will be merely very large pasture ornaments and fertilizer factories.
Owning draft mules is cool and practical, but as you can see, the start up costs are a bit steep and the maintenance has a bit of a sweat equity price tag. I’m not complaining, just pointing out the downside to getting started. I wouldn’t trade them for the world. B and I are pretty attached to them, but we have a favor to ask. If you run into Santa Claus when you’re out and about, please ask him if he could put a mule cart in his Sleigh when December gets here. We’ve been awfully good little boys and girls….
It’s amazing how times have changed. There was a time when animal manure was everywhere, so much so that it was a major health hazard. Now it has been eliminated from our society.
I wanted to get some rabbits to use a manure factories, but I simply don’t have the time or energy to take care of them. I use worms instead, and I feed them buy turning in garden waste. Worms work on a smaller scale because it doesn’t make much sense to seed huge fields with worms; you never could afford that!
Thanks for sharing, Damon. We use worms and rabbits for our garden. The cow and donkey stuff goes on pastures and and to friends and customers. We are hoping to expand the worm operation so that we can supplement fish diets with worms. That will take a while, though.
On our ranch, we try to say, ‘If ya don’t work, you don’t eat!’ But, life being life, those are just empty words. Feed is expensive any way you look at it – we just have to improve the ecology of the system! You’re doing a great job of that, and I’m trying to learn.
Wow i could not resist reading your post thinking,( well i have a Belgian draft mule what are the down side?) after reading i was a bit puzzled. I work my mule every chance i get. my equipment is all mostly home made i have very little money invested . Mabe the diferance is i have lots of welding skills and a welder? however i built a forecart to specs by taking measurements off of my neighbors. i have less than $100.00 invested but many hours. but you can do about the same amount of work with a stoneboat which is way easier to make my first one was made of wood and i sat on a hay bail. so by not buying a pioneer forecart and all the fancy equipment i was able to buy a nice used roberts wagon and we drive the heck out of it. Do your home work and you will be suprised what you can make work safely and cost affective .
Thanks for the note. We loved our mules, but it just wasn’t the right fit. We found an outstanding home for them. They are working in a stable dedicated to helping children with special needs. The mules are both riding and pulling carts. They are as happy as can be. We are so proud of them. I’m glad you are having such great results with yours. I have no doubt that mules will be in our future again. Right now, it’s miniature donkeys. They are such a joy. Thanks again forgetting in touch.