The farm is currently home to Cleveland Bay Horses, a flock of Corriedale sheep, a very large brood of chickens, a tribe of Spanish Goats, a single Nigerian dwarf goat, 4 working livestock guard dogs, eight dairy goats and a drift of pigs which includes Berkshires and Large Black Hogs. This resident list would not be complete without the gaggle of Heritage Breed Turkeys that are raised seasonally for the Holidays.
We work the farm and care for all the animals ourselves as a small human family of four. Often times the dog number more than doubles when we have a litter of pups we are looking after. Who knows what the number will jump to once little piglets begin to arrive!
We have arranged our farm so that our animals can all live out naturally on pasture with access to plenty of forage and field shelter. The barn is usually only occupied during early spring foaling, lambing and pups or on the rare occasion of injury. Our chickens free range on pasture as well. The theme of the homestead is unmistakeable with it’s bright red paint with white trim on the house, barn and all outbuildings. Our home is a small New England style reproduction salt box noticeably smaller than the barn that sits less than 100 yards away. The property has been a work in progress since we purchased it as raw land in April of 2004.
Early in 2003 we began our Cleveland Bay breeding program. We searched long and hard to find just the right breed. As we became more focused on the Cleveland Bay we took a trip to Wales, UK late in 2002. It was at this time, after meeting some very gracious Cleveland Bay people and their amazing horses, we knew more than ever that this was definitely the breed for us.
Now, just about 8 years later, we are pleased with the strides and accomplishments we have made with the breed and the friendships we have developed with those who solidified our interest and have encouraged us along the way. Now home to six (6) pure bred Cleveland Bay Horses (more in the spring once foals arrive) and three (3) Thoroughbred mares we are committed to pursuing our commitment to help preserve this critically endangered breed.
In the autumn of 2005 we introduced Corriedale Sheep to our farm. The introduction the Corries was primarily to give our Anatolian Shepherd Dogs a job to do. We now raise a flock of Corries, for both wool and meat. We acquired our first Anatolian Shepherd Dog, Leeloo in 2004. She was followed by the addition of our breeding male, Mosby in 2005. Then, in 2007 added a breeding female, Kamille. Kamille had her first litter of pups in February of 2008. We retained a female from this litter, quite by accident as a buyer backed out. It did not take long to claim her as part of our family and so Stella stayed. On July 6, 2010, Kamille had a litter of pups in which we retained a brindle male we call Jeb. At our strongest we were 5 Anatolians strong until we lost Leeloo in December of 2010. Our current pack of 4 Anatolian Shepherd Dogs (Mosby, Kamille, Stella and Jeb) work the farm guarding our livestock and home.
Last year, 2011 was a busy one for Bay Haven Farm as we welcomed, foals, dairy goat kids, piglets, puppies, Pure Spanish Goat kids, Devon cattle calves, and lambs. We had a successful year with our farm raised turkeys which concluded with over 70 turkeys being harvested for holiday dinners. As we look forward to 2012 we will be continuing with the usual activities (foaling, kidding, etc.), expanding some (more goat milking and lots of pork to offer) as well as testing the waters on some new ones.
Visitors to the farm are always welcome, simply give us a call or contact us to arrange a visit.
Member Cleveland Bay Horse Society - UK
Member Cleveland Bay Horse Society of North America
Member American Corriedale Association
Spanish Goat Association
Member American Dairy Goat Association
Member Berkshire Pig Association
