Totnes Rare Breeds Farm

It’s been a hot one today at the farm...even a nocturnal bird like Mori our Brown Wood Owl is enjoying a nice sunbathe in his aviary after a long day at work!

Patsy is the second of our Pygmies to give birth. It was a traumatic one this afternoon and she needed a lot of help, but twin girls Bumblebee and Butterfly were eventually pulled out into the world. Mum has been given antibiotics as a precaution, but Patsy and babies are doing well and we shall keep a close eyes on them over the next few days.

Priscilla seems very content to be a mother again☺️

And if any of you are wondering what it’s like at a birth, here is Priscilla giving birth to Bolt earlier...he needed a little help with one leg pointing straight forward and the other back! (Warning: not for the squeamish!!)

This afternoon saw the birth of the first of our Pygmy babies. Priscilla has had a stunning little girl (Beauty) and a lovely little boy (Bolt). Mum and babies are doing really well...and we don’t think Patsy can be far behind before she has hers!

We all have that one clingy friend.. . . #totnesrarebreedsfarm #sheep #familydayout #friends #cute

The Rare Breeds Farm is full of family fun and lively characters! Get up close and personal with your favourite farm animals and help us to let them continue thriving!

A Day Out With Thomas is almost upon us! The buntings are flying and the trains will be dressed up as characters from Thomas the Tank Engine. Tickets are still available, so please contact the South Devon Railway for more information. **Please note: due to the very large number of people expected this bank holiday weekend 4th-6th May, we shall not be allowing entry into any of our enclosures for the comfort and welfare of our animals. We are very sorry for any disappointment caused. The Garden Cafe shall also not be serving hot food during the bank holiday. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused, but will be back to our full menu on Tuesday 7th May**

Do you have any free time and are looking for something rewarding to fill it? We have volunteer opportunities to work with our animals . You must be 15 or over. If you are interested please send us a message or email us on contact@totnesrarebreeds.co.uk

We were blessed with new life at lunchtime today when Tigerlilly gave birth safely to twin boys. Continuing with the Lion King theme, Simba now has two little brothers called Zazu and Rafiki! Mum and babies are doing really well and the growing Golden Guernsey Goat family are happily settled down together for the evening☺️

Some goodbyes are harder than others, and this evening was a particularly painful one. Rock lived up to her name; a rock in every sense of the word as matriarch to her family. She was a much loved mother, grandmother and most likely great and great great grandmother many times over! But the medication she was on for her arthritis was no longer enough and the decision was made to have her put to sleep. She slipped away peacefully but will be greatly missed. The Pygmy Pen will certainly seem empty without her for quite some time.

Stuck for something to do this Easter? Then why not head down to the farm where, along with our fantastic animals, we have lots of fun activities throughout the week to get involved with!

Barney and Harry were behaving like puppies this morning...having a very sedate game of tug-of-war😂

On Sunday 31st March, the Garden Cafe will be offering a Mother’s Day Special in recognition and thanks to all you mums out there! Why not drop by for one of our famous scones, cream and jam with a hot drink of your choice (just for the mums!) for £2.75 with any farm entry. From everyone at the Totnes Rare Breeds Farm, Happy Mother’s Day!

We had a wonderful, if very unexpected, surprise today at lunchtime when Tinkerbell gave birth early (and for the first time) to a beautiful baby boy. He has been named Simba and both he and mum are doing very well under the watchful eye of grandma (for the first time😂) Tigerlilly who is herself expecting to give birth April 24th...unless she also wishes to surprise us!

We are opening for a new season tomorrow!!! Here are just a few of the new faces that are looking forward to meeting you soon! (Please not that in times of bad weather, the farm and cafe may close earlier than normal, so please check ahead. The cafe will also be running a slightly limited menu in the run up to Easter.)

Beautiful end to a beautiful day. First chick to hatch of 2019 came running out into the sunshine at feed time this afternoon with its very proud mother.

Why are Christmas trees so bad at sewing? They always drop their needles! Luckily our goats love eating their needles! A late Christmas treat for lunch today.