American guinea hog | Laying hens | Turkeys | Broiler Chickens | Pigs | Sheep

Samson: An American Guinea Hog

Born in 1994

Weight: He's not telling…

Samson is an American Guinea Hog, a breed of farm animal in danger of extinction. Samson is very friendly, loves visitors, and will "speak" (grunt) if spoken to!

Early American colonists brought these hogs from Africa and the hogs became common barnyard and homestead animals. Now, commercial producers favor more rapid growing hogs and few people raise American Guinea Hogs.

American Guinea Hogs forage well for food, withstand cold weather well, and are good mothers, making them a valuable, low-cost, and efficient hog. Sows have about 10 piglets in a litter.

By "root-o-tilling" the sod, eating kitchen scraps, and leaving his manure, Samson helps prepare ground for cultivation.  Samson's offspring have become residents of Disney World in Florida!

Morris Farm and Buckwheat Blossom Laying Hens

The farm is also home to a flock of free-range, organic laying hens.  There are a variety of breeds, including Partridge Plymouth Rocks, White Leghorns, Auraconas, Red Stars, Golden Crosses, and others.  The different breeds lay white, brown, or green eggs.  The hens lay on average of one egg per day.  A flock does not need a rooster to get eggs, however a rooster is needed if you want fertile eggs. Our eggs are for sale in the store refrigerator throughout the year.

Buckwheat Blossom Turkeys for Thanksgiving

One hundred turkeys usually arrive on the farm as day old poults in late July. They are started in a brooder where they can keep warm and are moved outside once they have their feathers.

In the picture to the right, summer campers help to move the turkeys out to fresh pasture. The turkeys go outside and forage on the pasture and fertilize the fields once they have enough feathers to keep themselves warm.

Fresh turkeys are available for sale for Thanksgiving.

Broilers (chickens)

The farm raises broilers for sale throughout the year. The broilers are raised organically and live outside eating the pasture salad and help to fertilize the fields.

Pigs

Every spring a few new piglets come to the farm. The pigs are raised for pork and live on the farm for five to six months until they weigh around 220 pounds.

In the picture on the right, the Tancredi family takes care of the farm's 2003 pigs: Pork Chop, Bacon Bit, Link, and Patty.

Coopworth Sheep

The sheep at Morris Farm are fed hay and some grain.  During the summer season you can see them out on pasture.

Coopworth sheep are very curious, friendly animals.  We are hoping to get some good, healthy lambs from them next spring.  Their beautiful fleeces and yarn are for sale at the farm.  The wool  is also used for educational programs. 

Coopworth sheep were developed in New Zealand from Border Leicester and Romney sheep crosses during the 1950’s to 1960’s.  The breed was formally established in 1968.  They are a dual-purpose sheep raised for their fleece and meat.  They are also good mothers and usually have twins.