The trip to Tucson last week was three-fold: Picacho Peak to see the flowers, Tucson for some geocaching, and a stop at a place that has been on my Bucket List for 15 years...The Ostrich Farm. I checked the website the night before for hours of operation and pricing. I was certain Hubby would scoff at the price and the animals, but to my surprise, he enjoyed it as much as I did.
Because there was so much to see and do, I am dividing the visit into four parts. I was most interested in the ostriches, but the other animals were much more entertaining. Part 1 is about the donkeys, deer, goats and sheep.
the official name
The World Famous Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Ranch
The $12 or $14 entrance fee covered 2 cups of food for the animals: green pellets for the big animals, and special food and tokens for the other ranch animals.
lots of signs to help us remember what to do
Miniature Sicilian donkeys
lots of pushing and shoving happening at the donkey pen
Fallow deer from Europe
This big horned one pushed the others out of the way when we were trying to feed them the green pellets.
Boer goats from South Africa in the penthouse
(double click on the photo to get a larger readable photo)
Green pellets were placed in the white cups on the conveyor belt and then we cranked the belt to bring the food up to the penthouse where it was emptied into the feed trough.
waiting...
...and waiting, often not patiently
because it is too hard to read, but rather interesting...
- developed in South Africa for their meat rather than milk
- males can weigh up to 300 pounds
- births are usually twins
- Boer goat craze in the 1990s in the US brought the price of the goats from $25,000-$80,000 a piece!
- Boer goat means farmer goat
Kissing Boer Goats
If a green food pellet was held between the thumb and forefinger, the goats would move their lips to reach the food, imitating kissing. Entertaining for young and old!
St. Croix Sheep from the US Virgin Islands
- raised for their low fat meat
- do not need to be sheared as they shed their long hair in the spring
- their milk is high in butterfat
- their coats shed water
they were just as eager for food as the other animals
Nigerian Dwarf Goats
- miniature dairy goats from West Africa
- produce up to 2 quarts of sweet milk a day
- blue eyes are dominant
- brought to the US on ships as food for large cats in zoos
- playful, gentle and only 21 inches tall
not a penthouse, but a two story
Picacho Peak
The World Famous Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Ranch is located at the base of Picacho Peak, north of Tucson along I10. Well worth the trip. Adventures for young and old. More to come tomorrow.
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