100 Route 312
Brewster, NY
Driving directions

Farm Animal Collection

Randall Lineback Cattle are a rare breed of cow defined by the distinctive lineback color pattern. Randall cattle are purebred cattle developed in Sunderland, Vermont, on the farm of the late Everett Randall. They are considered to be a landrace breed, descended from the indigenous landrace cattle common in New England in the nineteenth century. Randalls have historically been used as a dairy breed, although they also possess meat and draft qualities. Randalls are listed “critically rare” by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy. Putnam county born Randall Linebacks, Whipple’s General Putnam and Whipple’s Dorothy Daughter, have been displayed at the Putnam County 4H Fair. In November 2008, two more Linebacks were born at Tilly Foster Farm. For more information on American Lineback Cattle, click here.

Mammoth Jackstock Donkey
Welcome to Nate! He is 8 years old and stands 14.1 hands tall. He arrived at Tilly Foster in November 2008.
Mammoth Jackstock Donkey breed was developed in the United States through the crossbreeding of imported large European breeds (predominantly from Spain), and to a lesser degree, native American and Mexican stock. George Washington was a leader in the development of the Jackstock Donkey as a work mule for agrarian purposes.

Jack Stock were developed out of a need for high quality jacks to sire mules with size, strength and vitality for use in the agriculture and transportation industries. The variety of types of mules required in each of these industries in different regions of the country provided the premise for the types of Jack Stock bred in the early years. Breeding of various types of Jack Stock has been further influenced by the breeds, or types of mares available in different areas, the economy, war and other factors.s

The gift of an Andalusian jack and two jennets to George Washington from the King of Spain in 1785 is widely recognized as the event that revolutionized Jack Stock breeding in the United States. These foundation stock, and a Maltese jack later bestowed on Washington by his European ally, Lafayette, produced Jack Stock and mules of a quality not previously attainable with the inferior domestic stock and those imported from the Cape de Verde Islands.

Between 1785 and the start of the Civil War a number of jacks were imported from Europe.

(information from the American Mammoth Jackstock Registry)

Visit the Registry’s website for more information: http://www.amjr.us/characteristics.htm

American Blue Rabbits are defined by their mandolin-shaped body and deep blue color. The breed was first known as the German Blue Vienna, but the name changed to American Blue during World War I. The rabbits were cultivated for their fur. Mature bucks can weigh in between 9 – 11 pounds with does ranging from 10-12 pounds. They are a hardy breed, docile, and produce large litters. Found only in North America, the American Blue is the rarest of rabbit breeds in America and is listed in critical condition by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy. For more information on American Rabbits, click here.

Pilgrim Geese are the only breed of goose that can be sexed by color: males are all white with blue eyes; females are grey with some white on the head and have brown eyes. Beaks and feet should be orange, not pinkish. Day-old male goslings are yellow or silvery with light bills and the females are greenish grey with dark beaks. An exact classification of the Pilgrim is difficult. Finally, the Pilgrim may well be the next breed of goose to be industrialized, so there is good reason to act now and conserve the population that we have. For more information about Pilgrim Geese, click here.

Indian Runner Ducks are a very special breed of domestic duck. When they were first imported into Europe nearly two hundred years ago, they attracted attention because of their tall, upright bodies and their incredible reputation for egg-laying. They had been found in the East Indies, from which they get their present name, but were referred to a “Penguin Ducks” by Dutch explorers and some of the early importers. Yet it was their utility value as egg layers that brought them and their fame to England, where they were exhibited in Dumfries in 1876 and Kendal in 1896. For more information about Runner Ducks, click here.

Narragansett Turkey descends from a cross between native Easter Wild turkeys and domestic turkeys brought by English and European colonists. Improved and standardized for production qualities, the Narragansett turkey was the foundation of the turkey industry in New England. Our turkeys are appropriately named for Commodore and Mrs. Abraham Whipple of the Battle of Narragansett Bay in which Commodore Whipple, the hero of Narragansett Bay, sunk the first British ship of the American Revolution. He is most famous for responding to the wanted poster issued by Captain James Wallace who campaigned, “You Abraham Whipple on the 10^th of June 1772 burned his majesty’s vessel the Gaspee and I will hang you at the yard arm!” To which Whipple responded, “Sir, always catch a man before you hang him.” For more information about Narragansett Turkeys, click here.

Delaware Chicken
Delawares, originally called "Indian Rivers," were developed by George Ellis of Delaware in 1940. The breed originated from the crossing of Barred Plymouth Rock roosters and New Hampshire hens They are fast growing, lay huge brown eggs, and when fully grown have moderately large single comb with five well-defined points and white with gray/black cuckoo neck, tail and wing feathers. The breed is noted for fast feathering of the chicks. Males grow to 8 pounds and hens to 6 pounds.

American Guinea Hogs
American Guinea Hogs, also known as Guinea Forest Hogs, are a critically rare breed of pig that is unique to North America. The original stock came from West Africa in conjunction with the slave trade. The imports were documented as early as 1804 by Thomas Jefferson and other Virginia farmers. These large, square animals were called Red Guineas, because they had red or sandy colored hair. Red Guineas were common throughout the mid-Atlantic region during the 1800s.Through adaptation and crossbreeding with Appalachian English pigs the American breed was created. Guineas are one of the smaller breeds of pigs, ranging from 150 to 250 pounds at maturity. American Guinea hogs have upright ears, a hairy coat and curly tail. They are usually black, but occasionally a Guinea hog will have some reddish tinting, white socks, or even some white or gray on the body. They have a docile disposition and are able to forage for much of their diet; which includes snakes, nuts, rodents, grass and roots.
The guinea hogs at Tilly Foster Farm come from Sulibar Farm in New Hampshire and are a breeding pair.

American Cream Draft Horse
In 2010, Tilly Foster Farm acquired Sophie, an American Cream Draft horse from Vermont. The roots of this rare breed go back to the early 1900’s and “Old Granny”, a mare of draft breeding with a cream-colored coat, pink skin, and amber eyes, three defining traits resulting from the Champagne gene. Draft horses were the work horse of the traditional American farm. Mature animals will stand 15-16.3 hands, with mares weighing 1600-1800 lbs and stallions from 1800 to 2000 lbs.

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Tilly Foster Farm Museum, 100 Route 312, Brewster, NY 10509 * Driving directions