At ELS Stables, we love animals! Here are the critters that make us laugh and smile. They all have unique personalities and traits that make each an individual to appreciate and value. Some love to cuddle, others, not so much…but we love them just the way they are…so meet the ELS Farm Animals and book a visit with them…you won’t be disappointed!
Lavender is the leader of the herd and plays peace keeper when alpacas argue and Lily bullies. She patiently, but firmly keeps the peace by separating the squabblers until everyone is peacefully grazing. She arrived spring 2013 with her companion Poppy the Alpaca.
Poppy is one of two types of alpaca. She is a Huacaya (pronounced Wuh-kai-ya) alpaca. These alpacas are fluffy like teddy bears. Poppy had quite a rough start with humans and prefers to view them from a distance. Although curious, Poppy is happy as second in command to Lavender. She was quite startled at meeting the mini donkeys and horses at first, but now they are just extended family.
Daisy and Sweet Pea are mom and daughter. They are called Suri alpacas which have long shiny locks like very soft, slightly curly hair. There are advantages to each kind. Suri alpacas are much more rare and more expensive. The fiber of the Suri fetches a higher price on the international market. Shearing alpacas is like bathing a cat…yeah, that bad! They do not care to be held while scary clippers are stripping them to nakedness. We chose to trace clip the girls this year and not take their whole coat. Daisy and sweet Pea are more curious of humans and come right up to people and stare at their funny short necks and ponder who the aliens are…
Lily is a bossy Angora / Boer goat who came spring 2013 and was kept company with a pygmy goat that spent most of her time trying to escape and get away from Lily with the horns. Later in the year we adopted Hazel to keep Lily company. Hazel came from the same farm in Arlington called New Moon Goat Rescue and Sanctuary in Arlington. They are dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and adoption of animals in need. We are so happy with Lily’s leadership except when she body butts Hazel to keep her in line.
Hazel is a gentle, human-loving Pygora goat with a beautiful fleece like Lily. They both have the fiber that makes mohair. They get sheared twice a year to keep them cool in the summer and grow long in the winter.Hazel is larger than Lily, but that does not make her the “boss.” Lily is clearly “The Boss!” They love to go out in the field and play with the rest of the herd. Hazel is the one with Blue eyes!
ELS Chicken Flock is growing! We have healthy and robust egg-laying hens. These girls work hard all over the farm, turning soil and composting, eating scrumptious insects and keeping our wild worm population manageable.
The Adorable Shetland Sheep: Magnolia (Maggie) & Dandelion (Dandy)
Shetland Sheep are a small, calm breed of sheep — ideal for a small flock!
Shetlands are one of the smallest of the British sheep. Rams usually weigh 90 to 125 pounds and ewes about 75 to 100 pounds. Rams usually have beautiful spiral horns, whereas the ewes are typically polled (without horns). They are fine-boned and agile and their naturally short, fluke-shaped tails do not require docking.
They are a calm, docile and easy-to-manage breed. Most respond well to attention and some even wag their tails when petted!
Although Shetlands are small and relatively slow growing, they maintain natural hardiness, thriftiness, easy lambing, adaptability and longevity. Shetlands survived for centuries under harsh conditions and on a meager diet, although they do very well under less rigorous conditions. Having retained many of their primitive survival instincts, they are easier to care for than many of today’s commercial breeds.
Daisy and Sweet Pea are mom and daughter. They are called Suri alpacas which have long shiny locks like very soft, slightly curly hair. There are advantages to each kind. Suri alpacas are much more rare and more expensive. The fiber of the Suri fetches a higher price on the international market. Shearing alpacas is like bathing a cat…yeah, that bad! They do not care to be held while scary clippers are stripping them to nakedness. We chose to trace clip the girls this year and not take their whole coat. Daisy and sweet Pea are more curious of humans and come right up to people and stare at their funny short necks and ponder who the aliens are…
Daisy and Sweet Pea are mom and daughter. They are called Suri alpacas which have long shiny locks like very soft, slightly curly hair. There are advantages to each kind. Suri alpacas are much more rare and more expensive. The fiber of the Suri fetches a higher price on the international market. Shearing alpacas is like bathing a cat…yeah, that bad! They do not care to be held while scary clippers are stripping them to nakedness. We chose to trace clip the girls this year and not take their whole coat. Daisy and sweet Pea are more curious of humans and come right up to people and stare at their funny short necks and ponder who the aliens are…
Lily is a bossy Angora / Boer goat who came spring 2013 and was kept company with a pygmy goat that spent most of her time trying to escape and get away from Lily with the horns. Later in the year we adopted Hazel to keep Lily company. Hazel came from the same farm in Arlington called 
Hazel is a gentle, human-loving Pygora goat with a beautiful fleece like Lily. They both have the fiber that makes mohair. They get sheared twice a year to keep them cool in the summer and grow long in the winter.Hazel is larger than Lily, but that does not make her the “boss.” Lily is clearly “The Boss!” They love to go out in the field and play with the rest of the herd. Hazel is the one with Blue eyes!
ELS Chicken Flock is growing! We have healthy and robust egg-laying hens. These girls work hard all over the farm, turning soil and composting, eating scrumptious insects and keeping our wild worm population manageable.
The Adorable Shetland Sheep: Magnolia (Maggie) & Dandelion (Dandy)