George Washington, a creative and experimental farmer, was more enthusiastic about animal husbandry than many of his 18th-century peers. The average colonial farmer, or even large colonial planters, did not raise nearly the number and variety of livestock that populated Mount Vernon. Washington bred livestock to provide strong work animals as well as wool, leather, meat, milk, butter, and perhaps most importantly to a farmer—fertilizer! No part of the animal went to waste; even bones and horns were used for buttons, shoe horns, toothbrushes, eating implements, and decorative items. Today, you’ll encounter many of the same breeds raised at Mount Vernon two centuries ago, and learn about the important role livestock played in the lives of colonial Americans. As a member of the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy, Mount Vernon fully supports the goal of saving rare domestic breeds.

Ossabaw Island Hogs
These rare breed hogs date back to the Spanish explorers of the 17th century. George Washington’s hogs ran wild in the woods until they were caught, fattened on corn and potatoes, and slaughtered for food each fall. Pork, bacon, sausage, scrapple, chitterlings, and lard were enjoyed by the whole Mount Vernon community and Mrs. Washington often presented hams as gifts to relatives and friends. Today this 18th-century breed are bred at Mount Vernon once a year and birth a litter of four to eight piglets each spring. They can be seen in the Hog Pen near the Fruit Garden & Nursery.

Hog Island Sheep 
This rare breed is named after Hog Island, a 17th Century English settlement in Virginia. George Washington owned between 600 and 1,000 sheep, which were used to make wool and provide lamb and mutton for all who lived and worked at Mount Vernon. Sheep were also pastured to trim yards and fields and their manure used as fertilizer. Today, you’ll see these very rare (less than 200 are in existence!) animals grazing throughout the Estate and at the Pioneer Farm site. Seasonal “Sheep to Shawl” demonstrations show each step in the wool-making process used at Mount Vernon 200 years ago.

Bronze Gobbler Turkeys & Dominique Chickens
Just like today, poultry was very important in the 18th century, supplying both meat and eggs. George Washington raised turkeys, chicken, and ducks and many of the slaves raised poultry as well to provide extra food for their tables and to sell at market to earn money. Chickens were also placed in coups in the fields or gardens to pick bugs between the rows of vegetables. Today, you’ll see a variety of colonial breeds at Mount Vernon including the rare breed Bronze Gobbler Turkeys and Dominique Chickens in addition to guinea hens and wild turkeys.

Milking Devons
In 1799, George Washington inventoried 171 head of cattle. They made excellent draft (work) animals and provided beef and veal; milk, butter, cream, and cheese; and fertilizer. Washington introduced the Milking Devon, an English breed, to his herd in the hopes of improving the quality and endurance of his cattle at Mount Vernon. Also known as Red Devons, these cattle had the ability to thrive on poor pasture, were hardy, and easily trained for fieldwork. Today, Mount Vernon’s Milking Devons are among the rarest domestic breed of cattle, as well as one of the oldest and purest breeds.

Horses 
George Washington was extremely fond of horses, maintained a large stable at Mount Vernon, and was an active participant in all facets of horsemanship including trading, buying, selling, breeding, racing, training, hunting, carriage, and draft work. Horses transported riders, pulled carriages, carts and plows, and treaded wheat. Washington’s horses included Arabian, Andalusian, and Chincoteague ponies, but, since few formal breeds were established in colonial times, most were noted in records simply as “plow horse,” or “carriage horse.” Today, Mount Vernon horses tread wheat in the 16-sided barn July through September at the George Washington: Pioneer Farmer site.

Mules 
George Washington played a very important role in promoting the widespread use of the mule in America. He decided to breed mules, which are the sterile offspring of a male donkey (jack) and a female horse (mare), because they were stronger, more sure-footed, ate less, and had more endurance than horses. After the Revolutionary War, Washington began to replace horses in the fields with mules. In less than 15 years Washington had 58 mules working at Mount Vernon. Today, mules help work fields at the George Washington: Pioneer Farmer site – much like an 18th-century tractor!

Oxen
Oxen are steers of any breed that are specially trained to work in the fields. Much stronger than the average horse or mule, oxen have more endurance and, because they were inexpensive to keep, were known in colonial times as the “poor man’s work animal.” George Washington’s oxen (he had 60) were used to remove stumps, haul logs from the forest, and pull plows, harrows, and carts. A “drover” controls the team, directing them with a stick called a goad. Today, oxen demonstrate colonial farming techniques at the George Washington: Pioneer Farmer site.

• Please Don’t Feed the Animals.  They are on a regulated diet.  (Imagine if 5,000 people a day fed you!)
• Please Don’t Pet the Animals.  They are not pets and some may try to protect themselves!
• Please Don’t Chase or Yell at the Animals.  This scares them and can cause them to hurt themselves or you!
• Please Do Photograph the Animals.  They will be wonderful memories of your trip!
• Please Do Ask Questions About the Animals.  We love to talk about Mount Vernon’s four-legged staff!