As agricultural interpreters and livestock ambassadors, we love interacting with all of our visitors and answering your questions. Thanks to all of your help, Primrose Farm has grown in popularity over the past couple of years, and grown into the beautiful yet rural family getaway that we adore today. With the influx of visitors, us farmers began collecting a list of frequently asked questions about the farm and its livestock in order to put together some sort of FAQ for our regular visitors. Peruse through some of our Q&A bullet points to learn some interesting and fun facts about the quirky animals that call Primrose Farm their home!

Do you need roosters in order for Hens to lay eggs?

You do not need roosters to lay eggs. If you are interested in fertilizing eggs to hatch baby chicks, then yes you will need a rooster for that! However, Columbian Wyandotte hens will lay on average 1-2 unfertilized eggs each day regardless of any males in the flock.

What do you do with the milk that the cows produce?

When cows begin lactating for motherhood, they on average produce 3x the amount of milk that their calf needs. We do not profit or sell any of the milk that our cow's produce for a multitude of reasons, including sanitary and legal restrictions. Because of this, we give our calf a portion of the milk that is nutritionally regulated for her and dispose of the rest.

What is a "Dual Purpose Breed"?

A dual purpose breed is a type of animal that serves more than one purpose for humans. For example, our Shropshire Sheep are a specific breed of sheep that produce wool that can be used for clothing and blankets, and they are also bred for their meat as well. Other animals that we have on the farm that can be considered Dual Purpose Breeds are the Columbian Wyandot chickens, and our Jersey cows.

Why are the cows
so skinny?  

There are two different categories of cows in the animal kingdom; beef cows and dairy cows. Beef cows are typically bred to be very muscular and round, in order to produce as much meat as possible. Dairy cows however are meant to produce milk, and are not primarily bred for beef production. Because of this difference, they hold their weight differently than a beef cow. Dairy cows also burn a significant amount of calories while producing milk, and therefore lactating cows may look leaner than a heifer or a cow that has not recently given birth. Our lactating dairy cows are fed double their rations and given on average 3-5 hours of grazing time to prevent any malnourishment.

Can you ride the horses at the farm?

Although Bob and Doc, our Belgian draft horses, are trained to pull people and machinery behind them, they have never been trained to carry someone on a saddle. Draft horses are primarily used to work, so instead you would normally see them carrying wagons, carriages or heavy farm equipment through the fields. They are also so large, it would be near impossible to securely fasten a person on their backs comfortably.

If you have any additional questions while visiting the farm, please feel free to approach a farmer at any time, as we love answering your questions! Our main goal here at Primrose Farm is to educate the public on the importance of farming, and to bridge the gap between the barnyard and your dinner tables. Thank you all once again for your support of the farm and we hope to see you soon!