At Lebenshof Odenwald e.V., over 50 animals have found a “FOREVER HOME”.
Chickens, rabbits, ducks, turkeys, cows, pigs, goats and a dog live together here in a peaceful farm community. A horse is housed on another farm with other horses of the same species.
Every animal has its place in the group. We are always fascinated by how the animals come to terms with each other and how they have learned to communicate in different ways. Every day we observe how rabbits and chickens, pigs and turkeys meet at eye level and spend the day together. These moments are wonderful and magical. The peace, contentment and serenity that the animals radiate is infectious and simply feels good!
The santuary is financed purely by donations. We therefore welcome any support for the animals in the form of donations and sponsorships. Behind the sanctuary is a wonderful team of around 25 people, most of whom are volunteers. They look after and care for the animals and take care of everything else that needs to be done around the sanctuary. There are also numerous fantastic supporters who lend a hand at the work assignments, for example.
We have created a living space for thirteen cows. There is enough pasture around the farm for our cows to stay on the meadows all summer long without having to move. The grazing areas are shaded by woodland, a stream and a spring that always provides fresh water. Two large shelters have been built as winter quarters, which can be used by the cows all year round. Even in winter, the cows can move around on a large wooded and fallow area.
There are also four billy goats on the farm, which are very people-oriented and cuddly and are always happy to have visitors in their goat enclosure.
Four mini pigs will find everything they need to feel at home at the sanctuary. Starting with large green areas for sniffing, digging and eating, as well as the opportunity to wallow in the mud and crawl into a straw bed for a good night's sleep, which they meticulously prepare themselves.
Unfortunately, due to African swine fever and the officially ordered compulsory stabling in our region, freedom of movement for the mini pigs is currently very restricted. We are doing everything we can to protect our pigs, so only a few people are allowed to enter the quarantine area and only under strict hygiene measures.
Our turkeys, like all the other animals, enrich everyday life on the farm. The six turkey ladies take every opportunity to get close to people and to be stroked and cuddled. However, there are sometimes scuffles between them.
We had already planned to add ducks to our farm in the future. But the fact that this happened so quickly in March 2023 and two ducks moved in straight away was a surprise for us too.
We stepped on the gas and dammed up the stream so that the ducks could swim and splash around. In the meantime, two more drakes have moved into our male flat share.
The Lebenshof is home to twelve chickens and a rooster who has his hands full with his large flock of hens. But the little bantam rooster Henry does his job really well.
Our nine rabbits enjoy the large run on the meadow, the opportunity to dig holes and the company of the other small animals.
A dog also lives on our sanctuary and delights people and animals every day with his loving nature.
A male horse also belongs to the large sanctuary family. He is kept at friends place, so that he can live happily and have the company he deserves.
Would you like to find out more?
On social media, you can follow our work with the animals, see the progress of the projects and get to know all the individual animals.
Lebenshof Odenwald e.V.
Instagram: www.instagram.com/lebenshof_odenwald
Facebook: www.facebook.com/lebenshof.odenwald
Joar Berge
Instagram: www.instagram.com/moustache_farmer
Facebook: www.facebook.com/moustachefarmer
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YouTube: www.youtube.com/@moustache_farmer
In his book Kühe kuscheln: Wie die Tiere und ich ein neues Leben begannen (Only available in German) Joar tells in a touching way about the founding of the sanctuary Lebenshof Odenwalds e.V.