Buckeye Chickens
Named after the Buckeye state, Buckeyes are the only American chickens created entirely by a woman (Mrs. Nettie Metcalf of Warren, Ohio). Buckeyes have short but broad backs, meaty thighs, and powerful wings and breasts. Their body shape is similar to Cornish and their color is a bit darker than the original Rhode Island Reds.
Buckeyes are very active fowl that can rival cats in their mousing ability. They tend to be friendly with humans.
Buckeye fowl are listed as threatened by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy. Live Oak Farms is proud to be part of the effort to restore this beautiful breed of fowl.
Suffolk Punch Draft Horses
The Suffolk Punch Draft Horses are the latest addition to Live Oak Farms. We are very pleased to have this rare draft horse breed here in Upstate South Carolina.
Today's best known breeds of draft horses are said to date back to the great war horses of Medieval times. While these great titans clashed in mortal combat, the quiet farmers of eastern England went about developing their own breed of heavy horse, the Suffolk Punch. This one breed is today the least known to Americans, and yet has perhaps more qualities appealing to the American breeder than any of the better known breeds of draft horses.
Turkeys
Live Oak Farm raises turkeys year round, although they are definitely more popular around Thanksgiving and Christmas. The photo features Broad Breasted Bronze young toms. We have also raised Narragansett and Chocolate turkeys, two recognized heritage breeds. Narragansetts are noted for their calm demeanor and make great mothers. Chocolate turkeys are named for their notable chocolate colored feathers, feet and shanks. Chocolate turkey breeders were lost during the War Between the States and never made a come back.
There's no better way to enjoy the holidays with your family than sitting down to a fantastically wonderful local farm-raised turkey. Our customers rave about the truly superior taste of a turkey raised on pasture. In fact, caterers preparing our turkey for agricultural conferences have commented on the excellent quality of our turkeys.
St. Croix Sheep
It is believed that hair sheep originated in Western Africa. During the 1500’s, they were brought to the Caribbean on slave ships as a source of food. They are thought to be a cross between the native Criollo and Wiltshire Horn. The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy lists the St. Croix Sheep as “threatened” meaning the global population is fewer than 5000 and fewer than 1000 in the United States. St. Croix hair sheep are a white, medium sized, hornless, hardy sheep. They naturally shed their coat, making shearing unnecessary. In the summer their coat is smooth and in the winter nice and fluffy.
They demonstrate greater resistance to internal parasites than do both wool sheep and most other hair sheep breeds. The ewes can breed back one month after lambing, and ewes can produce two lamb crops per year. Ewes usually bear twins, with some singles, frequent triplets, and occasional quadruplets.
San Clemente Goats
Although the origin of San Clemente goats has not yet been determined, the goats survived for centuries on San Clemente Island off the coast of California. When the U.S. Navy became responsible for the island around 1934, an estimated 11,000 goats inhabited the island. After the Navy began destroying the goats, the animal rights group Fund for Animals, halted the Navy’s work. An estimated 4,000 goats survived the court battle and in 1980 the goats were rescued from the island and placed in homes.
Chuck Schaum, Farm Manager, retrieved a San Clemente herd of 14 from New Mexico in the summer of 2007. We acquired the herd from Ms. Tepper in New Mexico who acquired them from Mr. Johnson who acquired them from Fund for Animals, the original rescue group of the San Clemente goats.
Red Devon Cattle
Red Devons are thought to have originated in Africa. The Phoenicians introduced the Romans to Devons where they were brought to modern day England. This is possibly the reason why Devons are a hardy breed, able to withstand both cold winters and hot summers.
Devons were brought to America in 1623 on the vessel Charity at Plymouth Colony.
Because of their ability to thrive on grass with little or no grain, Devons were a favored breed in the new colony. Other characteristics such as successful birth rates, docility, and strength secured these “red cows” as a popular breed. Furthermore, they were able to survive on very little and remained fertile while supplying families with milk.
Many distinguished historical figures have owned Devons, from Myles Standish to George Washington. Incidentally, Mt. Vernon still retains a herd of the descendants of Washington’s Devons. Queen Victoria even owned a prize-winning Devon within the herd she maintained in England.
