Thursday, April 29, 2010

Poitou Pete Turns 18!


We are so lucky, to be celebrating Pete the Poitou's 18th birthday this year! Eighteen may not seem too old, but when you consider his ancestor's journey...well, we're pretty proud.

Pete the Poitou is the oldest breed of ass in the world. Originating in the Poitou region of France, the full name of these donkeys is Baudet du Poitou.

When we found Pete the Poitou, there were just over 200 left in the world and less than a dozen in Northern America. Dating back to Roman times, the only use for Poitous was breeding with a particular type of horse (Poitevin) to create the largest, most powerful draft mule in the world. (Mules are infertile work animals that are the result of breeding a male donkey with a female horse.)

There is little demand for mules anymore because of the invention of motorized vehicles. This means there is little demand for the Poitou; making them highly endangered. Poitou numbers fell to only 50 world-wide by 1975, but are now on the rebound.

Pete is a gelding, or a fixed male. He was fixed because he was not needed as a breeder in his bloodline. When animals get this rare, they are very closely monitored to prevent inbreeding.

Davis Farmland is not alone in the fight to preserve the Poitou Donkey. There are organizations dedicated to the conversation of this breed in England, France, and Australia as well as all over Europe. To check out more information on the Poitou Donkey visit the American Livestock Breeds Conservatory website.

You really need to see Pete to appreciate his strikingly odd appearance. From his giant ears to his flowing dreadlock coat, llama-like legs and small tail that looks like a duster. So come on by and wish Pete a happy birthday by visiting him at Farmland this year!

Booming with Babies!!

Spring is in full BOOM here at Davis Farmland: that is, booming with BABIES!! Who are our newborns and who is still expecting? We've got the scoop right here!

We're preparing to open Farmland and we've already got babies galore! Our Facebook fans helped us to name Lulu the Llama who was born on December 30th, 2009 and was the first baby on the farm for 2010. She is a beautiful blonde and spends all her time with mother, Lala.

You Facebook fans may also remember Crackle's babies born on March 22nd. These triplet Nigerian Dwarf Goats are all girls and will be named by the Community Treasures Silent Auction winners in April. Our African Pigmy Goat Dusty is also a new mom! She gave birth to twins on March 26th: a beautiful girl and a bouncing baby boy.

Our sheep births certainly take the cake so far this year! We had two newborn Tunis Sheep on March 25th and have had 7 Jacob Sheep babies between March 28thand 30th: 2 boys and 5 girls!

So far we have lots of new ladies for the farm this season and there will surely be more! We have a St. Croix ewe that is past her due date and about a dozen more moms who should be having babies over the next several weeks. So STAY TUNED for more baby news and be sure to come visit us at Davis Farmland when we open on Thursday April 15th!