Diamond TA Homestead
About Our Animals.
We raise two different animals here at Diamond TA Homestead, with intentions of adding more. Any new animal we add serves a purpose for us, whether it's meat, dairy, pelts, or protection. We put a lot of time and money into the care we give for our all of our animals. Yes I do mean all so both our breeding stock, their babies, and the ones who we choose to process out are all treated with respect and love.
Cattle
We currently run black angus cows with a black baldy bull (herefordXblack angus). It is a small herd that produces us our on beef steer or heifer a year and also allows us to gain enough money to put back into their feed for the next year to come. Our herd's diet depends on the time of year, in the warmer months when we have grass they have free access to and in the colder months they get a round bale of hay at all times. Everyday they get their dose of cattle cubes where we do quick check ups to make sure nothing is out of the ordinary. They have access to three ponds for water and it make for a great spot to keep cool during those hot months. Our cattle go to the vet once a year for vaccinations and to get preg checked.
Horse
We do not raise horses here but that doesn't mean we don't have them. We have two older ornamental American Paint Horses a long with one older donkey. The donkey and the mare are technically not ours but belong to Thomas' grandparents however we are the ones who care for them. These will be our last horses here until we have kids and if they show any interest in wanting to ride. As for donkeys we have no desire to get any more after this one passes. They get fed the same as the cattle as far as grass and hay, but they do have a different pellet they eat daily.
Rabbits
We raise one breed of rabbits here. That breed being Rex which I have been raising since March 2022. I breed towards Standard of Perfection (SOP) going of the American Rabbit Breeder Association (ARBA), which I am a member of. This means I breed more for show standards over everything else, whatever doesn't meet that criteria do get used for meat to feed our family. This doesn't mean all our bunnies don't get loved on because if I could I would spend all day with them and giving them love. They are fed Blue Seal Home Fresh Show Hutch Deluxe 17 twice a day along with constant supply of fresh water. They are indoors so they are protected from predators and the harsh Oklahoma climate.
Dogs
We use to breed our two beautiful great danes, however due to time and then our female developing allergies we no longer do so. Our dogs provide us with protection as well as cuddling companions for us. They have their yearly vet trips as well as if anything pops up they go in kind of thing. These guys are not just dogs to us, they are both my spoiled rotten babies.