THE ANIMALS

DONALD DUCK AND FRIENDS

We have lots of different ducks. They were originally given to us by the RSPCA. Although we now get our own ducklings born each year. They are funny to watch as some of them can't fly, some can't swim and some are very shy like the moorhens. They all have one thing in common. They are frightened of the goose that is ‘king' of the bottom pond. Those that can fly escape to the top pond because they know the goose can't follow. They eat feed wheat and grass but love it when we have cottage visitors who feed them cake and cornflakes.

DAISY THE COW

Daisy is a pedigree Jersey cow. She was originally in a 'Pet's Corner' of a caravan park. When we got her she was very fat because children paid 50p to bottle feed her. Her best friend is Blossom the pony and Daisy will try and eat all her apples and carrots! We have so far tried unsuccessfully to get her in calf - but miracles sometimes happen!

MEGGY AND POPPET THE GOATS

We have had several goats come to live with us. Currently we have Meggy and Poppet. They are both pygmy goats that is why they are so small. Both goats eat anything especially trees and nice flowers. They have to have their feet trimmed regularly. They are fed goat mix and hay. People always ask how much bigger these little goats will grow because they don't realise that they are fully grown.

GOOSY THE GOOSE

Goosy was given to us by the local ‘Animal Ambulance'. Goosy enjoys trying to drown any duck that gets in his way. Once a year we have wild Canada geese that come and stay with us until they raise their young. Only then is Goosy ‘put in his place' because they make it clear that they are ‘in charge'. He also eats feed wheat and grass. Visitors used to be frightened of him because he made a loud noise and ran at them. Now that he feels safe on the site he has become quite friendly.

THE CHICKENS AND GUINEA FOWL

Every year we hatch some chicks or guinea fowl in the incubator. We have lots of different breeds of chickens. These include Polands , Light Sussex, Wyanadottes, Warrens , Black Rocks, Columbian Black Tails, Silkies, Old English and Banties. We also have some strange looking guinea fowl. They all eat grass clippings, leaves and vegetable peelings. They are fed on a mix of feed wheat and layers mash. They used to be loose but some of the guests were frightened of them so they now have their own pen. The eggs we get from the chickens are very popular with the guests because everyone loves ‘free range eggs'.

BLOSSOM THE PONY

Blossom is a Welsh pony. She is about 17 years old. She came to us because she had been put in foal too often and as a result she was quite ill. She has recovered well but she still suffers from laminitis that affects her feet. As a result she has to be kept off of the ‘fresh' grass in the summer or she could die. She is very gentle and loves being fed on carrots and Polos – but only as a treat because if she gets too fat it makes her laminitis worse!

CHANCE AND DOTTY THE SHEEP

Chance and Dotty the sheep are due to lamb at Easter so if all goes according to plan we should have some little lambs on site for the summer. The farmer next door has lots of sheep so there should be no shortage of lambs in the fields. They are fed on sheep nuts but they also eat grass and help to keep down the nettles.

BARNEY AND TRIGGER THE DOGS

Barney is a 7-year-old Shetland sheepdog who is frightened of sheep but he can round up the ducks and geese (probably because they are not as big as the sheep). He still looks like a puppy in the summer because we have his coat ‘sheared' so that he keeps cool.

Trigger is about 3 years old and he was given to us because he needed too much exercise and his previous owner couldn't spare the time. He is good with the sheep and more importantly a great hit with visitors because he will spend all day chasing after a ball or a stick.

GINGER AND TYLER THE CATS

We re-homed Ginger and his sister, Pebbles, for the local ‘Animal Ambulance'. They were both very adventurous and often went ‘hunting' a long way from our site. Pebbles was run over shortly after we got her and Ginger was very lonely so we got Tyler to keep him company. Ginger has got a limp because he jumped off a roof and his leg didn't heal properly but it doesn't stop him getting around. Tyler owners couldn't keep him because they lived in a flat. He is much lazier and likes plenty of sleep. They are both very friendly and like lots of stroking!

NEW ARRIVALS

Lynn & Steve Marshall
Animal Ark Cottages

East Kerscott, Swimbridge,
Barnstaple, North Devon, EX32 0QA