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Twenty of the top tourist attractions in Cheshire work together to help visitors enjoy the best that the County can offer, Anderton Boat Lift, Arley Hall and Gardens, Beeston Castle, Blakemere Shopping Experience, Boat Museum, Bridgemere Garden World, Catalyst, Cheshire Oaks, Chester Zoo, Go Ape!, Gulliver's World, Hack Green Secret Bunker, Jodrell Bank, Ness Botanic Gardens, Norton Priory Museum and Gardens, Sunlight Vision Museum, Port Sunlight, Redhouse Farm Shop, Salt Museum, Stapeley Water Gardens, Tatton Park |
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Hover over picture for more information or Click on picture to go directly to Members website |
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A Short Tale With A Happy Ending
Working with animals can sometimes bring an unequal balance of sad and happy moments for Farm staff. Last week, after nine months of waiting Moomin, one of the Dexter cows at Home Farm lost her calf during calving. Luckily for Moomin, her sad story has a very happy ending. The Farm staff have adopted an orphaned calf from a nearby farm for her to mother. Orphan 'Annie', like her cinematic counterpart, is an adorable carrot-top. She is a Beef Shorthorn, and has a rich red and white face. Her new Mum Moomin is a Dexter cow; a small native breed which originated in Ireland. Dexters are descendants of the indigenous black celtic cattle and are traditionally known as the 'cottager's cow'. At only the third of the size of a Friesian cow, Dexters would traditionally produce both milk for the family and a calf a year for meat. The new mother and daughter have had to overcome a few logistical problems, not least of which is the fact that Annie has legs almost as long as her Mum's! Moomin's height, or lack of it, has made it difficult for Annie to suckle. As Elly Birtles, Farm Ranger commented "Moomin's udders are so low to the floor that Annie has to get down very low on her knees to suckle!". Moomin is a little cow with a very big character. At over ten years old she is one of the oldest animals on the stableblock. She is a natural mother, despite Annie not being her 'natural' calf. As Elly commented "She is extremely protective of Annie and it's lovely to see them bond so strongly so quickly. We're all really glad this has turned into a happy story for them". Moomin is not the only adoptive Mum on the Farm, all visitors can help the essential work of the Farm by adopting an animal. There are three animals available for adoption: Blossom the Clydesdale Horse, Tallulah the Tamworth Pig and Rose the Red Poll Cow. On Monday May 5th the Farm celebrates an Adopt a Farm Animal Day. Visitors can meet the animals available for adoption and learn more about the scheme. Visitors will be able to see Moomin and Annie in the Stableyard during normal opening times: Tuesday to Sunday from 12pm-5pm (last entry 4pm). |
LIST OF NEWS ITEMS
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   Email Favourite Days Out In Cheshire |
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USE THIS LINK FOR COMPREHENSIVE INFORMATION ON CHESTER AND CHESHIRE