Maymont's Children's Farm features domestic animals raised on Virginia farms. The Farm is open year-round and offers all visitors insight into the farm-life experience and the production of food and textiles. Children are welcome to feed and pet many animals on display. The Farm is home to a variety of goats, sheep, pigs, chickens, donkeys, rabbits, peafowl (peacocks and peahens), turkeys, cattle, horses, geese and ducks.
The Children's Farm also hosts rare breeds of livestock which were once common on farms in Virginia. Some of these animals are no longer used in modern agriculture and may become endangered. Rare breeds include Scotch Highland and Dutch Belted cows, the Barbados Blackbelly sheep and others.
To insure that Maymont remains free to the public, a $4 per person donation is suggested at the Children's Farm. Thousands of area families salute the importance of Maymont with their annual membership. Others (including children, families, grandparents, schools, organizations, religious institutions, clubs and businesses) choose to "Adopt A Living Thing" and provide the funds to feed one particular animal for an entire year.
A visit to the Children's Farm is always fun, but never the same. Regular visitors know that the Farm changes by the hour and by the season. The morning crow of a rooster captivates curious babies, while school and birthday party groups are ecstatic to participate during feeding time. Big brothers and sisters marvel at the day's end "parade," when animals are corralled from the fields to the Barn.
All the seasons offer opportunities to learn about and appreciate the domestic animals of Virginia. Spring brings "Barn Days" with sheep-shearing and the frolic of baby animals. The harvest of the productive "Square Foot Garden" arrives during the summer. "Animal Appreciation Days" and "Boo at the Barn" are autumn traditions.
All of Maymont's animals are well cared for by a team of animal professionals, including five full-time zoologists, three part-time animal keepers & three full-time aquarists. Maymont's animal volunteer staff varies seasonally; many volunteers are needed year-round.
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