Around the Farm

Email us at mussen@lower-collaton-farm.co.uk or ring 01803 712260

On our ten acres of meadow in the Gara Valley we have a very small flock of Shetland and Zwartbles sheep. They are great characters, and come in several different colours and markings. The zwartbles are dark brown with white socks, white tail tip and a white blaze on the nose, and are used in Holland to produce ewe’s milk for cheese. Very pretty. The Shetlands come in a variety of colours and markings. You may spot Rosie or James in the morning going out to feed them and check that they are all well. We are happy to introduce our guests to the girls, who are always keen to munch an extra handful of sheep nuts! The girls go to the tup on Fireworks Day (November 5th) and the lambs are usually due on All Fool’s Day (April 1st). We feel the dates are appropriate, though we are not going to be lambing this year.
Our poultry (reduced thanks to Mr Fox!) consists of a variety of breeds, but currently include a Buff Orpington, a Black Maran, and an Aracauna who occasionally lays blue eggs. On the ponds we have a very shy moorhen and her family (on the lower pond) and are visited from time to time by some mallard ducks who roost downstream.

The delicious free range eggs from our hens are available for sale, subject to production. We also have a selection of very soft sheepskin rugswhich are prepared locally in Ashburton.

Guests are welcome to walk our Wildlife Trail and discover the wide variety of plants, trees and small creatures that can be spotted by sharp eyes. We provide a little map and pictures/descriptions of what can be found. Alternatively take a short stroll by the stream through the copse and trees, full of bluebells primroses violets daffodils and snowdrops in the spring.