The Farm Animal Rescue & Rehab program was started over 20 years ago in Woodstock Connecticut. At that time we had only 20 acres. Soon, the land around us started to turn into a residential development and we realized we needed to move. After a long and hard search we moved to a 70 acre parcel in Arkport, New York. The hill top was perfect, with fields, woods, a pond, beautiful views all around and set in a rural agricultural area.

   The adult animals that live here are mostly unwanted or neglected livestock placed here by their owners. Some were placed here by the Chemung County SPCA. Many of the animals were under weight, in need of hoof care, vaccinations and de-worming, and there were several generations of inbred families from 2 small farms. All were in need of some type of special care and a long term home. It was sad that some of the owners never even realized there was  a problem with the animals!

   In an effort to correct this on going problem we realized an educational farm would help people learn how to take better care of the animals they have or plan to purchase or adopt. This would include minimal requirements for feed, housing, medical care, selective breeding and raising young. The goal, to help prevent further suffering to animals by educating the public in the requirements and commitment needed for taking on farm animals, exotics and other pets. So was the birthplace of the See Oak-Tree Sanctuary Living Library.

   When funds could not be raised for this program right away, we went to plan B, the slow road. By improving the animals health and out-crossing to different herd animals, sometimes even buying selected livestock to improve the bloodlines, a yearly crop of superior youngsters were born each spring. From the sale of these annual offspring, better conditions here at the farm were possible. A new barn is being built. We are able to purchase better feed including second cutting hay instead of older round bales of whatever we could find. So the income coming from sales of animals raised here, allowed the farm to prosper and grow, but slowly and always on a very tight budget!

   Our goal is still education, but we will have to take it one step at a time. In the years to come we still hope to see the finished project, SEE Oak-Tree Sanctuary Living Library, become a reality. We are in search of funding at this time to expand the barn and build a visitors center with a training area. As always, we are in need of continuing support for the care and feeding of the many animals that have been placed here over the years. We have a special need for a medium sized tractor with a front loading bucket to help with the heavy work load, at this time everything is done by hand.

Spring "2007" Workshop Weekend: Come and learn by watching and participating in sheering sheep, trimming hoofs, tagging, vaccinating and deworming sheep and goats! Visit with the recently born lambs, goat kids, Jersey calf, rabbits, chicks and more! Learn how to feed and care for farm animals big and small!

There is always lots to do come spring. There is a garden to get ready for planting and seeds to start in the green house! There are fruit trees and berry bushes to plant and a general spring clean up to do!

Visit with Roy Butler of Four Winds Renewable Energy and see a wind generator and solar array set up and working. A date will be posted early next year, once we see when the winter weather is leaving!

  Knowing how to live independently makes us stronger individually and as a Nation, whether it is by growing your own food and preserving it or using renewable energy for your home or business. We can all do something to stop the war just by becoming less dependent on fossil fuel to transport our food, heat our homes and to generate electricity!

  We hope to schedule other workshops throughout the good weather to include horse and foal care, berry patch maintenance, farm pond improvements, forestry, mushroom cultivation and alternative building materials.

Oak-Tree Sanctuary is a non-profit,
Your donations are always appreciated!

  At the farm we raise Old Spot, Duroc & Hampshire cross pigs, Tunis & Jacob sheep, Nubian/Tog/Boer cross goats, Calif/New Zealand cross rabbits, Buff Orpington poultry, Narragansett turkeys and color-bred horses; Paint/Pinto/Palamino crosses. Most of the adult animals were placed here by their owners or the SPCA. All proceeds go directly to the care of the adult animals at the farm and to educational programs.

Livestock For Sale 2006
Money raised from the occasional sale of youngstock helps to pay for feed
and the needs of adult animals living permanently at Oak-Tree, but only
covers a small percentage of funds needed.

  There is one cut male pig available, $75.
 2 big bunnies still available, $10 each.

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*Adopt-a-Critter Programs

*SEE Oak-Tree Sanctuary Living Library

*Home

Carol@oak-tree.org

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Livestock For Sale 2007

5 PIGLETS READY TO GO! 1-13-2007

   We are expecting a good crop of lambs, goat kids, bunnies,
piglets and Orpington chicks and free range all natural eggs.
All proceeds go directly to the care ofthe adult animals at the
farm and to educational programs.

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All pictures and information for educational use only.

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Poultry

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Buff Orpingtons... Baby...soft light buff. Mature: pure golden in color. Large bird with a quiet disposition. Can take the cold well. Good for eating and make excellent setters. Good brown egg layer. Weight: Female 6.5 lbs. Male 8 lbs.
Welp Hatchery Picture of Buff Orpingtons.
www.welphatchery.com

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Naragansett Turkeys are a rare, multicolored, medium sized breed. Their body plumage is primarily black with bands of steel gray. The tail is dull black, regularly penciled with parallel lines of tan, edged with steel gray. They have a single breast and therefore can naturally mate. Available March through August and are not sexed. Welp Hatchery picture of Naragansett Turkeys.
www.welphatchery.com

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Sheep

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Also Known By: American Tunis

The Tunis is one of the oldest breeds indigenous to the United States.  It is a medium-sized meat-type sheep characterized by creamy wool, copper-red colored faces & legs, pendulous ears, and minor fat deposits over the dock area.

Origin and History
The American Tunis evolved from a number of importations of fat-tailed sheep from Africa and the Middle East in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.  These sheep were crossed with some established European breeds to improve the meat characteristics.

The earliest documented importation occurred in 1799.  They came as a gift to the U.S. from the ruler of Tunisia, his highness the Bey of Tunis, and were entrusted to the care of Judge Richard Peters of Pennsylvania who became an outspoken advocate of the breed. By the 1820's, Tunis were in much demand by butchers in eastern Pennsylvania. Descendants of Judge Peters' sheep, as well as additional importations of fat-tailed sheep became established in Maryland, Virginia, North and South Carolina, and Georgia.  Thomas Jefferson imported "broad-tailed" sheep and kept them for many years.  He preferred them over his Merinos for their mutton and wool-producing attributes.  The breed was quite popular as in 1892, Ezra Carmen in a chapter of A Report of the Sheep Industry of the U.S. wrote, " But for the introduction of the fine-wooled Merino, these Tunisian sheep would probably have become disseminated throughout the U.S., and in some of them have become the prevailing flocks."

Economic Utility
Some breeders desire to preserve and utilize a heritage breed for its own worth.  Others are investigating the economic uses for the American Tunis.  Their role in crossbreeding has traditionally been to produce premium lambs for the hot house/ethnic market on the Eastern seaboard.  This is one of the reasons Tunis have remained so popular in the East while remaining almost unknown in other parts of the country.

Tunis are also known for their disease resistance and their ability to remain productive on marginal land. They also exhibit a tolerance for both warm and cold climates.

Fleece Quality
Tunis wool is a lustrous 24 to 30 microns, long-stapled 4 to 6 inches that has found favor in many fiber and textile enterprises. Ewes typically shear a fleece weighing 6 to 9 pounds of this 3/8th's blood, 56 to 58 spinning count wool.

Physical Description
At birth, Tunis lambs weigh 7-12 pounds.  Mature rams in breeding condition weigh between 175 and 225 pounds and measure 28-30 inches at the withers.  Mature ewes should be 25 to 50 pounds lighter and 2 to 4 inches shorter. Individual animals in show condition will likely exceed these weights. The breed is alert and their eyes as well as ears convey intelligence and grace.

When Tunis lambs are first born they are red or tan in color. A white spot is sometimes present on the forehead and on the tip of the tail. The lambs gradually turn white as the wool grows although the hair on the face and legs retains a reddish or tan color. Both rams and ewes are polled. Some sources also report an ability to breed out of season.

Although Tunis are currently listed as rare with the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy (Box 477, Pittsboro, NC 27312), the NTSR has surpassed 1000 lamb registrations per year. Attesting to the breed's wider acceptance and growing popularity there has been a steady increase in registrations for the past 10 years.

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Jacob Sheep

Their actual origins are not known. However, documentation throughout history indicates that the spotted or pied sheep may have originated in what is now Syria some three thousand years ago. Pictorial evidence traces movement of these sheep through North Africa, Sicily, Spain and on to England.

There are many romantic stories about the Jacob Sheep being direct descendants of the flock of sheep acquired by Jacob during the time he worked for his father-in-law as mentioned in the Bible (Genesis 30), or that they were washed ashore from shipwrecks during the attempted invasion of the Spanish Armada during the reign of Elizabeth I.

Jacobs differ from other British and Northern European polycerates (sheep with multiple horns). They differ from other primitive breeds iin that they have a medium fine fleece and no outer coat. Other primitive breeds are double coated, having a fine inner coat and a coarser, longer outer coat.

Importation of Jacob Sheep to the U.S. and Canada has occurred in small numbers since the early 1900's. These have been dispersed all over the continent and many were crossed to other breeds. These crosses have been referred to as Jacobs, even though many bear no resemblance to the breed except that they exhibit spots and multiple horns. Other breeds of sheep do produce spotted lambs and/or polycerate offspring. Just because a sheep is spotted or may be polycerate does not mean it is a Jacob Sheep.

The American Jacobs are an old world sheep which, unlike many other old world breeds, have not undergone improved breeding and out crossing to satisfy the commercial marketplace. They have a more primitive body shape, are slender boned and provide a flavorful, lean carcass with little external fat. The carcass yield from hanging weight to freezer is high when compared to the more improved breeds.

Due to finer bone structure and less body fat, stocking rates on pasture are higher than the modern breeds with 25% to 50% increases being reported. Ewes require less supplement feed during times of increased nutritional need and lamb easily, usually with no assistance. The lambs are up and nursing vigorously without help. Jacob ewes are included in commercial flock in England due to their hardiness, ease of lambing, strong mothering instincts. Both rams and ewes are easily kept and have a resistance to parasites and foot problems. The fleece is soft and open and light in grease, making it highly sought after by handspinners.

The Jacob is highly marketable as breeding stock. Farm gate sales of freezer lamb, tanned pelts, handspinners' fleeces, horns for walking sticks and buttons, bring the breeder financial return as well as the pleasure of seeing this handsome breed on the farm.

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Goats

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Boer Goats

History of the American Boer Goat
The breeding for today's American Boer Goat began in the early twentieth century in South Africa with a group of ranchers who made it their goal to breed the world's best goat. Through decades of selective breeding, the Boer gained its genetic superiority and nobility. In 1959, the South Africans formed the world's first Boer Goat Breeders' Association, and from that time on the Boer goat has distinguished itself as a unique breed of livestock.

Most of the Boers found in the United States today were imported from South Africa via a quarantine stop in New Zealand. While in New Zealand, the goats prospered under fertile climate conditions that were different from the dry range of South Africa, proving the Boer goat's adaptability.

In 1993, the first Boers were brought to America by stockmen with a vision - to see the Boer goat affect the growing goat meat market in the United States and in the world. From the southern tip of the African continent to the ranches of America, this goat has seen only a portion of the world that awaits it.

Boer Breed Standards
In describing the traits which constitute "standards" for the American Boer goat, we are leaning heavily on the standards which evolved during the development of this breed over the past 70 years in South Africa. The south Africans developed standards explicitly to improve the breed. The South African Boer goat is a recognized breed in its country of origin, and experts throughout the world consider this to be the premier breed of meat goat.

Head:  A prominent, strong head with brown eyes and a gentle appearance. Nose with a gentle curve, wide nostrils, and well formed mouth with well opposed jaws. Horns should be strong, of moderate length, positioned well apart, and have a gradual backward curve before turning outward symmetrically. Ears should be broad, smooth, of medium length and hang downwards.

Neck & Forequarters:  Neck of moderate length and in proportion with body length. Forequarters full, well fleshed and limbs well jointed and smoothly blended. Breast should be broad with a deep brisket. Shoulders should be fleshy and legs proportional and strong.

Body:  Body should be long, deep and broad. Ribs must be well sprung and muscled. Loins should be well muscled, wide and long. The top line should be straight and the shoulders well rounded.

Hindquarters:  Rump broad and long, with a gently slope. Britch and thighs well muscled and rounded. Tail should be centered, straight and curve upwards to one side. Legs should have a straight axis from the hip to the hock.

Skin & Covering:  Skin should be loose and supple, with sufficient folds over the neck and chest, especially in bucks. Hairless around the anus. Short glossy hair is desirable.

Source: American Boer Goat Association, P.O. Box 248, Whitewright, Texas 75491

Duroc Hogs

The latest Duroc Across-Herd Sire Summary (STAGES) can be found at the following location, www.ansc.purdue.edu/stages/. For more information regarding the STAGES program contact the National Swine Registry at (765) 463-3594 or at nsr@nationalswine.com.

History of the Duroc Breed
Durocs are red pigs with drooping ears. They are the second most recorded breed of swine in the United States and a major breed in many other countries, especially as a terminal sire or in hybrids. Durocs can range from a very light golden, almost yellow color, to a very dark red colorthat approaches mahogany.

In 1812, early "Red Hogs" were bred in New York and New Jersey. They were large in size. Large litters and the ability to gain quickly were characteristics Durocs possessed from the beginning. The foundation that formed today's "Duroc" was comprised of Red Durocs from New York and Jersey Reds from New Jersey.

In 1823, a red boar from a litter of ten, whose parents were probably imported from England, was obtained by Isaac Frink of Milton in Saratoga County, New York, from Harry Kelsey. Kelsey owned a famous trotting stallion, Duroc, and Frink named his red boar in honor of the horse. This boar was known for his smoothness and carcass quality.

His progeny continued the Duroc name and many of them inherited his color, quick growth and maturity, deep body, broad ham and shoulder, and quiet disposition. The Duroc was smaller than the Jersey Red, with finer bones and better carcass quality. Beginning in the early 1860s, Durocs were made from a systematic blending of the two very different strains. This produced a moderate hog that was well suited for the finishing abilities of the Cornbelt farmer.

At the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, Durocs gained wide popularity at the first successful Duroc Hog Show. This was only the beginning of the Duroc popularity and success which continues today.

The first organization for the purpose of recording, improving, and promoting Red Hogs was the American Duroc-Jersey Association which was established in 1883. No other breed of hogs made more progress, in terms of numbers recorded, over a period of years. As a result, numerous other recording organizations were formed to accommodate the growth. In 1934, all the groups were united to form one organization, named the United Duroc Swine Registry, for the sole purpose of recording and promoting the Duroc breed.

When the U.S. population moved westward, the Duroc and many noted breeders moved westward as well. Most of the breed improvement after the formation period took place in Ohio, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and Nebraska. Durocs have become a sire of choice to the American farmer. The climb of the breed has been accelerated by many distinguished accomplishments in prolificness and longevity in the female line and lean gain efficiency, carcass yield, and product quality as a terminal sire. The purebred Duroc is distinguished for breed potency in today's picture of swine improvement and holds forth inviting promise of future usefulness and value.

Durocs were identified as a superior genetic source for improving eating qualities of pork in the recent National Pork Producers Council Terminal Sire Line Evaluation. Their advantage in muscle quality combined with their well-established ability to grow fast has positioned the Duroc breed as an outstanding terminal sire choice.

Duroc Breed Markings and Registration Requirements
The color marking of all Duroc breeding hogs for registration shall be red.

Disqualifications for registry - (1) white feet or white spots on any part of the body with the exception of the end of the nose; (2) black spots, no more than three, none over two inches in diameter on the body; (3) ridgeling (one testicle) boar; (4) less than six functional udder sections on each side of the underline.

National Swine Registry
P.O. Box 2417 • West Lafayette, IN 47996
(765) 463-3594 • (765) 497-2959 FAX • nsr@nationalswine.com

Hampshire Hogs

The latest Hampshire Across-Herd Sire Summary (STAGES) can be found at www.ansc.purdue.edu/stages/. For more information regarding the STAGES program contact the National Swine Registry at 765.463.3594 or at nsr@nationalswine.com.

History of the Hampshire breed
Hampshires hogs are black with a white belt. They have erect ears. The belt is a strip of white across the shoulders that covers the front legs around the body. The Hampshires, which are a heavily muscled, lean meat breed, are the third most recorded breed of the pigs in the United States.

The Hampshire breed of pigs is possibly the oldest, early-American breed of hogs in existence today. The Hampshire hog as we know it today, originated in southern Scotland and Northern England. These pigs were known as the "Old English Breed". They were noted and criticized for their large size, as pigs were commonly killed at 125 pounds liveweight. However, they were admired for their proficiency, hardy vigor, foraging ability and outstanding carcass qualities.

Hampshire pigs were imported into America between 1825 and 1835 from Hampshire County in England. Some of the first importations were also known as the McKay hog because a man by that name was thought to have imported these hogs from England to America.

Most of the offspring of these early importations went to Kentucky where the breed had most of its early development. The common name for these hogs were "Thin Rinds" because their skin was thinner than that of most hogs. The hogs in this area became rather popular due to their hardiness, vigor, prolificacy and foraging characteristics. Butchers from Ohio traveled yearly into Kentucky to contract ahead for these belted hogs at a premium price. These original desirable traits have been further developed within the Hampshire breed, causing steady growth in popularity and demand.

In May of 1893, a small group of Kentucky farmers met at Erlanger, Ky., to form the first record association in order to keep the blood pure in these black hogs with a white belt. The first record association was called the American Thin Rind Association.

This belted hog had various other names in those days, including McGee hog, McKay, Saddleback and Ring Middle. Because this hog was known by so many different names, the name was changed in 1904 to the American Hampshire Record Association.

In 1907, the organization in Kentucky was discontinued. At that time, they adopted American Hampshire Swine Record Association as their name. The name was shortened to Hampshire Swine Record Association in 1922 and in 1939, the name Hampshire Swine Registry was adopted.

Between 1910 and 1920, Hampshires were a big hit in the Corn Belt. During the 1920s the breed continued to grow in numbers and in favor. The greatest popularity of the Hampshires did not come until after 1930. Since that time they have been very popular and have sold for high prices, as their genetic value has been documented.

Through the years, Hampshires are still being produced that are productive, lean, full of meat, durable, profitable to raise, and popular on dinner tables. They are the leader in leanness and muscle with good carcass quality, minimal amounts of backfat and large loin eyes. Boars are more aggressive now than in recent years. Hampshire females have gained a reputation among many commercial hogmen as great mothers. These females are excellent pig raisers and have extra longevity in the sow herd. They have passed the test on confinement and on concrete.

This black animal with the distinct and unique white belt is still known universally as "The Mark Of A Meat Hog". Their ability to sire winning carcasses is unequalled and they continue to set the standard by which all other terminal sires are evaluated.

Hampshire Breed Markings and Registration Requirements
Hampshire boars and gilts must meet the requirements (except color markings) along with the following to be eligible to show in a breeding animal class.

1. Black in color with a white belt totally encircling the body including both front legs and feet. Animal can have white on its nose as long as the white does not break the rim of the nose and when its mouth is closed, the white under the chin can NOT exceed what a U.S. minted quarter will cover.White is allowed on the rear legs as long as it does NOT extend above the tuber calis bone (knob of the hock).

2. Must have at least six (6) functional udder sections on each side of the underline.

3. Animals farrowed on or after January 1, 2005, the swirl is no longer a disqualification for registration.

Hampshire swine classified as off-belts may be used for breeding purposes, with offspring eligible for registration with the National Swine Registry. Off-belts will continue to be eligible to be shown in market hog classes, but will not be eligible for exhibition in breeding swine shows. This policy is retroactive and will allow litters to be registered that were not eligible previously, due to the Hampshire Swine Registry off-belt requirements.

National Swine Registry
P.O. Box 2417 • West Lafayette, IN 47996
(765) 463-3594 • (765) 497-2959 FAX • nsr@nationalswine.com

    Also Known By: Gloucester, Gloucester Old Spot, Goucestershire Old Spot

    The Gloucestershire Old Spots is a black and white breed that is predominantly white in color. In recent years, selection has been towards less black and now only a spot or two are usually found. The breed also has a heavy drooped ear.

     Gloucestershire Old Spots originated in the Berkeley Valley region of England and have now spread throughtout the UK. The origin of the breed is unknown but is probably from the native stock of the area along with introductions of various breeds. In 1855, Youatt and Martin mentioned there was a native stock in Gloucestershire that was of an unattractive dirty white color.

     The Old Spots are among the large size pigs in England. At one time, they were called the Orchard Pig because they were partially raised on windfall apples and whey - waste agricultural products of the area.

     Gloucestershire Old Spots are said to be good foragers or grazers. This is not surprising considering the type of feeding practiced in the original home of the breed during its early development. The sows of the breed are known for large litters and high milk production. Prolificacy and milk production have been characteristics sought by practical producers everywhere.

     A Gloucestershire Old Spots breed society was formed in 1913. And while it has never become a dominant breed in its native country or in any other country, it has had an influence on the world's swine production. There is little doubt the breed contributed more than just some influence on the color pattern to the Spot and was also used in the development of the Minnesota No.3 breed in the United States.

    Registries and Associations Reference:

    Briggs, Hilton M. 1983. International Pig Breed Encyclopedia. Elanco Animal Health

    Mr Richard Lutwyche, Gloucestershire Old Spots Pig Breeders' Club, Cirencester, Gloucestershire

    Mason, I.L. 1996. A World Dictionary of Livestock Breeds, Types and Varieties. Fourth Edition. C.A.B International. 273 pp.

Photographs:

    Michael von Luttwitz

This is NOT how to raise pigs!

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These female brood sows are intensively farmed in sow stalls
(gestation crates), which prevent them from turning around.
Intensively farmed pigs in batch pens.

This is how we raise them!!!

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Piglets are pasture raised with Mom and Dad!
NO shots, NO antibiotics, NO hormores, NO heat!
Call or e-mail for availability, boys, girls, cut boys,
$50 each at 8 weeks, all natural for 5 generations!

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