Our Rare Breeds - Livestock and Poultry

As a working farm, we are surrounded by livestock and poultry ("critters"). Many of ours, however, are a little different....

Most of our animals represent species listed as "critically endangered" by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy (ALBC). As such, Willow Pond Farmstead remains one of the very few places on earth where you can see some of these once-common "heritage" animals.

So how could a farm animal become extinct (or near-extinct)? The answer is surprisingly simple: when farmers cease raising a breed, the breed vanishes. You see, man's involvement is essential to the survival of every domesticated breed, so if modern farmers don't raise them the breed disappears.

And why would farmers stop raising an established livestock breed? Answer: Farmers will stop raising a breed when its characteristics are either (1) no longer necessary (e.g., oxen) or (2) are superceded by superior qualities in another breed. In short, today's marketplace dictates extinction for many farm animals our parents and grandparents knew.

Photos (to begin slideshow, please click the bottom-right "Play" icon)