Rare Breed Animals

The Norfolk Horn Sheep are a truely ancient breed, being the common breed in Norfolk (and, indeed all over Europe) before the famous Norfolk Four Course Rotation was introduced. It is ironic that the improved soil fertility resulting from the new rotation meant that more productive breeds surplanted the tough old Norfolks. The breed dwindled until the scarcity of survivors led to the founding of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust. It can be argued that the Norfolk Horns are the ancestors of all modern sheep breeds. They are thought to be similar to the sheep used by the Saxons, and they retain the ability to do standing jumps 3 feet in the air, which must have been a useful escape tactic at a time when wolves still roamed the countryside! .

Natural coloured (cream) Norfolk Horn wool, from our own flock, is now for sale in the craft shop at Ł3.00 per 50gm ball. It is Double Knit Aran type wool.

Local breeds are represented by the docile Brecon Buff Geese with their pink bills and legs. Geese were the traditional British Christmas dinner before the turkey was introduced from America. In spite of their use by the Romans as guards, geese were fattened in the countryside, and walked (often by children, and often long distances) to the cities for consumption. The Brecons, like all geese have fearsome alarm calls, and a terrifying 'attack display', but must be the breed that gave rise to the description of a coward as someone who 'would not say boo to a goose'! Their companions - the white Chinese Geese - must be the prototype for the cartoonists stupid bird. Always fun to watch the Chinese geese have an ear shattering foghorn bellow of an alarm call - making them an ideal burglar alarm. Geese are fairly cheap to keep feeding mainly on grass.

The Welsummer chickens are thought to have originated in Holland. They are well proportioned birds with great character, and are determined scroungers. They lay brown medium sized eggs. The cocks are very photogenic, but as we (and they) have found to our cost, their arrogant belief that they rule the roost has made them easy prey to foxes.

The hens are now laying, and eggs are for sale in the craft shop (at 85p per half doz.) when available.

Less rare, but no less interesting are our small family of Pea Fowl who live in a large aviary in the farm yard.

In the past it has been possible to let visitors stroke and feed the animals, but following a few well publicised cases on other farms, where children have suffered serious infections , our insurance company will no longer allow this. Please take care not to touch, or allow your children to touch the animals, and remember to wash your hands before eating, and before leaving the farm.Hand washing facilities are provided in the toilets next to the car park.

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