Animals

Animals are an important part of Coggeshall Farm Museum! Currently, the farm features free-range dunghill fowl, large black pigs, Gulf Coast Native sheep, and, of course, our cat!

Pigs | Courtesy of our Friends at Gnarly Vines Farm

Gnarly Vines Farm has been an important ally since the 2020 season at Coggeshall Farm. Gnarly Vines Farm is partnering with the farm on our pasture rejuvenation project, particularly with the use of their animals. They also own the heritage breed pigs for our historic agriculture demonstration. Through the efforts and collaboration of Gnarly Vines and Coggeshall Farm, we are able to help keep heritage breeds alive and viable for the future. Additionally, Gnarly Vines Farm’s generosity has given us some very friendly and photogenic pigs for guests to meet.

Chickens

Most households kept chickens of no particular breed, collectively referred to as ‘Dunghill Fowl.’ They survived well by foraging, even in the winters. Though they didn’t produce a lot of meat, families rarely ate chicken, so their ability to produce eggs and survive was more important.

Sheep

Several sheep from Old Sturbridge Village‘s Gulf Coast Native / Merino flock now call Coggeshall Farm Museum home! This breed of sheep is known for its very fine wool. At certain times of year, guests can see the wool textile process, from picking and carding to dyeing and spinning to weaving and sewing.

Goats

Although goats are not a part of our everyday programing they are hard at work at the farm. We have partnered with the folks at Simmons Goat Farm to improve the pasture edges by removing invasive bushes.

Bees

Another wonderful partner to Cogeshall Farm is Beeloved Apiary. They have their bee hives in some of our lower fields and we are able to sell their local honey when available at the farm. The bees also help in our gardens and apple orchard to pollinate our plants.