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100 Route 312, Brewster, NY 10509

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.

click here to watch an Animal Planet short detailing George Whipple’s rare and endangered farm animal collection.

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