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Meet the Animals and Rare Breeds

rare breed collage

A Rare Breeds Farm

In January 2007, the Farm was awarded Rare Breeds Accreditation by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) - the leading conservation charity working to restore Britain’s native livestock breeds. It is one of only 17 farm parks in the UK to have received the award which recognises their commitment to the conservation, breeding and promotion of rare or endangered breeds of farm animals.The Farm had to meet various criteria, involving not only the livestock, but the standards of the premises, the knowledge of the staff and detailed examination of pedigree records, movement information and health requirements.

It now has to sustain two viable breeding units as part of its commitment to Rare Breeds and has chosen to concentrate on Middle White pigs and Red Poll cattle.

The eight breeding cows in the Red Poll herd will help to sustain what is considered one of the original native dual purpose breeds due to its dairy and beef qualities.

In 2007 the Farm welcomed a flock of Leicester Longwool sheep. This is a very attractive breed which was developed during the late 18th century.  

Meet the Animals

Pigs

Our pig herd comprises of five rare breeds that are on the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) watch list: the Tamworth, Middle White, Saddleback and Large White. Each individual has their own unique personality making them all great characters. You may even be lucky enough to see a newborn litter when you visit!

Horses

We have four heavy horses here at the Farm, one Clydesdale and three Shires. Our brood mare, 21 year old Blossom, is the oldest and the mother of the other two. She has such lovely foals that we couldn’t part with all of them! 13 year old Tabitha is our most versatile horse, she is a great ride, is broken to pull and has also been a mummy. In summer 2017 she gave birth to Tatton Summer Sensation, her second foal. Sensation is still here at the Farm and is turning into a lovely looking horse. Tabitha's brother, 11 year old Friar has big boots to fill. He is a ridden and driven horse and is extremely handsome! He loves to show off in his ridden demos at the Royal Cheshire Show every June!

Donkeys

We have three lovely donkeys here at the Farm.  Huw is in his adolescence and can be a typical teenager. He is constantly trying to get the upper hand! Fortunately Aunty Frosty keeps him in check. She is 9 years old and doesn’t take any messing. And finally our new addition, the lovely Pickles who loves to part of the gang.

Goats

We have a very rare breed of goats at the Farm- Golden Guernseys. We are starting to breed off our Golden Guernseys and build up a small herd of them. New additions Honey and home bred Amber and Emily are growing into lovely young nannys and we have high hopes for them in the future.

Cows

We have expanded our Red Poll herd now to incorporate our very own traditional native Dairy herd with a view to carrying out milking demonstrations in Summer. This includes 2 Jerseys-Lou Lou and beautiful Berry, and a Guernsey cow. They are all of a fabulous nature and we do hope you will have a chance to see one of them being milked after they have calved. All our cows are due to calve in June and July this year, see the milking demonstrations in the Shippon.

Sheep

Our flock of 40 ewes lamb once a year in April which is one of our farming calendar highlights. It is certainly hard to beat the sight of a lamb full of the joys of Spring leaping and racing in the sunshine! Come and learn more about our sheep during our lambing week which takes place in April each year.