The Japanese Quail is a species of Old World quail found in East Asia.They were first domesticated in Japan in the 12th century, although originally as song birds, rather than for their meat or eggs. They have a very broad range of vocalisations with 28...
Alpacas look like small Llamas and are adomesticated species from South America. There are no known wild Alpacas as they have been domesticated for thousands of year, first featuring in the wall art of the Moche people of northern Peru. They are too small to use...
Whilst viewed as an indigenous species today, the Fallow Deer was certainly introduced to Britain by the Normans in the 11th Century and possibly even by the Romans almost 1,000 years earlier. Fallow Deer were prized as ornamental species and were protected in Royal Hunting...
Red Deer are the largest of the six breeds of British deer, with male stags weighing as much as 240 kg (37 stone). The stag or hart is a noble beast, best remembered for appearing out of the mist on cold Scottish mountainsides. Red Deer...
Miniature Horses were first developed in Europe in the 1600’s, and by the mid-1700’s were seen frequently as the pets of nobility. By the mid 1800’s they also found their first work as mine ponies when the use of young children was banned. On average...
Typically called the most intelligent animal at the farm, Miniature Donkeys are affectionate and often comical animals. They will be under 36 inches in height and can live up to 35 years in captivity. The males are known as ‘jacks’ and the females as ‘jennies’ or...
The ‘Old Spot’ is the oldest recorded pedigree pig in the world. The pigs were traditionally kept in the cider orchards and folklore tells that the spots were a result of bruises caused by falling fruit. HRH The Princess Royal is the Patron of the Gloucester...
Often called ‘Micro-Pigs’, they were first bred in the UK in 1992 at Pennywell farm, by cross-breeding Vietnamese Potbelly Pigs with the Kunekune, Gloucester Old Spot and Tamworth breeds. Launched as the ‘teacup pig’ they have been popular ever since. The craze to have them as...
Pygmy Goats originated from the Cameroon Valley in West Africa. Originally imported to America as zoo exhibits, their size and nature made them popular pets around the world. They will breed every 9-12 months and have between 1-4 young. Whilst they can be used for milk,...
Known as the white, polar or snow fox, Arctic Foxes are found throughout the Arctic Tundra. They live in some of the most frigid extremes on the planet but do not start to shiver until the temperature drops below -70C. The fox has a low...