The Livestock Department consists of five full-time, three part-time, and several seasonal part-time staff. We come from all backgrounds – previous employment in museum settings, veterinary medicine training, and equine and livestock management.
All of our animals are individuals and require individual care. The animals are fed based on body condition, nutritional requirements, and supplements are given as needed. Every morning, staff feed the animals at the livestock facility and in the historic area. The animals are given grain, hay, and fresh water is provided. At this time the animals are checked over for lumps, scrapes, and observed to make sure everyone is eating and acting normally. The same routine is performed in the afternoon.
During the day, staff tend to any animals requiring medical attention. We work with a local large animal veterinarian if the treatment is beyond our capabilities. The sheep and other animals are periodically rotated in groups from the historic part of the estate and kept behind the scenes at the stables where they relax and are tended to for any medical issues. Their pens are cleaned out, fences and shelters are repaired, and pastures tended to as needed. We are on-call 24/7. During the birthing season, staff are often on-site during the midnight hours to tend to any problems and stay overnight to monitor animals.