The Animals at
PETEnELLA's Homestead

We started with worms...but the menagerie grows all the time.

Worms - AKA "Gerards"

They are the quiet, no-fuss workers on the homestead. They dutifully eat over-ripe bananas and other compostable fruits and veggies and turn that into gold for our gardens...

VERMICOMPOST!

Bees - AKA "Bina"

You can read more about our adventures as apiarist HERE, but we are hopeful that this year, our bees are doing well and we will enjoy our first harvest of honey.

Black Soldier Fly Larvae - AKA "Grendel"

These guys are straight up food for our chickens. Bonus...the water sludge that falls through their tote and into a bucket is wonderful nutrient packed goodness for our gardens too!

The Feral Cats

The original feral cat to befriend us was Finnbogi (pictured above). He has since died and is buried in our little homestead graveyard. He was a lovely friend and brought several other ferals cats to visit from time to time. They rotate in and out...but we like having them around.

Maggie - The Farm Dog

Well, she's really not a farm dog...yet. She's a puppy who is learning the ropes and getting to know our other friends at the homestead!

The Chickens

19 chickens, all egg layers, with the exception of one mystery chicken (a Wyandotte rooster, named Ozzie). Meet the flock in pictures below!

The Muscovy Ducks

Our ninja patrol ducks are joining the homestead crew to help with pest control! These ducks are actually more closely related to geese. They are quiet and not as messy as traditional ducks. Muscovy ducks can also lay beautiful eggs for us, and if we decide to raise any for meat, it is to be lean and delicious.

The California Rabbits

These pair well with chicken systems, and their poop can be used straight into the garden! We have two does to start (Lilith and Lucy) and a buck named Mr. Tumnus.

Swedish Ducks (Blue & Silver)

Four female Swedish ducks (2 Blue and 2 Silver) are joining the crew in November 2026 and will join the Muscovy duck flock next spring.

Big Red Broilers

Coming in March 2027! We will be adding meat birds to the homestead. Peter will build a chicken tractor so we can rotate the birds daily.

Expanded laying hen flock

Coming in March 2027! We are adding to our laying flock with some new breeds...stay tuned!

St. Croix Sheep

Coming in July 2027! Two female sheep will be joining the crew to help with silvopasture management.

And then...maybe

Do you keep a list of "goal" animals? We do. As our resources and time allow, we would like to expand what we are raising to add some more farmyard friends.