Animals on the Farm
The principle animal on our unique farm is the Goat! We have over 100 South African Boer Goats this being a meat herd and also a smaller herd of British Saanan Goats used in our dairy side to the farm.- (see our Butchery page for more details about Goat Meat and Goat Products page on the dairy).
The Nannies (does) (females)
These are mated from October through to early December, spending the period up until Christmas outside. When the weather deteriorates and the ground becomes saturated with rain, we move them to a large, airy barn, where they stay until kidding, bedded on barley and wheat straw. This move is to allow the land to regenerate, protecting it from poaching, caused by their hooves, and to allow fresh growth for the following year.
The Billy’s (bucks) (males)
Our principle male is Rhodi. He is 4 years old and comes from the Lowther Park herd.
Only a few chosen males stay on at Cumbrian-Goat-Experience to continue the breeding sequence
Goats Diet and their Food
During the run up to mating in the autumn, and from the time of housing, all our does are fed extra rations to ensure they have enough food to support their growing kids. This consists of home mixed ‘cereal’, containing oats, sugar beet, maize and some plant protein pellets. In addition, they are fed good quality hay from our own ground. All food is sourced locally from mills and contains no GM ingredients. This ensures the maximum effort for peace of mind for us that the food we give our animals is safe and of good quality.
Kidding takes place from late January until April. A single or twins is the norm, although there is the occasional set of triplets. As soon as all the animals have given birth, they are allowed out to graze each day before coming in at night until the weather improves.
Here at the Cumbrian-Goat-Experience, we also have a flock of over 500 Herdwick Sheep a traditional site for any Lakeland Farm.These are the native breed of the central and western Lake District, and live on the highest of England’s mountains - a traditional breed managed and farmed in a traditional way. bread to a high standard and kept in line by our experienced Shepherd Tom.
The Lake District fells have been home for generations to the Herdwick Sheep and Woodhow Farm has farmed this breed of sheep since the late 17th century.
The word ‘Herdwyck’, meaning sheep pasture, is recorded in documents going back to the 12th century. Herdwick Sheep are the most hardy of all Britain’s breeds of hill sheep, grazing the central and western dales of the Lake District, with fells running to over three thousand feet high.
The lambs graze with their mothers on part of the fells belonging to Woodhow Farm, instilling a life long knowledge of where on the fells they should be grazing, thus the term ‘heafted’.
Our sheeps hardiness, and ability to graze over a wide area of fell, is key to the maintenance of the Lake District landscape as we know it.
During the winter months, when the weather on the fells can be harsh, the flock returns to the lowlands of Woodhow Farm.
Our Rare Breed Tamworth Pigs
You can be sure that these pigs get the same loving attention and care we extend to all our animals.The pigs on our farm are very special and add caracter to the Cumbrian Goat Experience, and we ask ourselves what would we do without them now. Reared in a totaly natural environment, browsing and grazing, spending as much time as possible in our wonderful spacious woods and forests.
According to other breeders and the livestock history, they were first given official classification at the English Royal Show in 1865. By some accounts, the Tamworth originated in England, while others claim Sir Robert Peel imported the breed from Ireland for his Tamworth estate around 1812. Regardless, the Tamworth is a breed that independent farmers like ourselves can appreciate. Its bloodline reaches back to the native north European hog.
The Rare Breed Tamworth Pig is registered a Category 3, Vulnerable statusand we will endevour to help The Rare Breed Survival Trust by promoting their value as a native breed to the United Kingdom, For more information on rare breeds click the link www.rbst.org.uk
As well as our main two herds of goats, we have two old goats called ‘Togs and Bobs’ who are now retired, enjoying their time in the best surroundings on offer. We also have Blossom, Bramble, and Bracken our mischievous Pigmys!
Blue is our house Bull, a pedigree Belgium Blue rescued from a closing down animal sanctuary who took a liking to us and ended up ‘Coming Home’!
A number of Free Range Chickens, a quartet of Moscovy Ducks and six Geese.
Then there’s our two ‘Best Friends’ – Parsley, our 7 year old Springer Spaniel and Dilly, our 6 year old Border Collie, and our 2 new Border Collie Puppies Sage and Thyme.
And not forgetting the Farm mousers, our cats ‘George, Tabby and Izzy’
