Seven baby lambs, two baby goats, 16 baby chicks—and it’s only February at the local farm!
That's 25 births this month—the latest just a week ago— that have attracted local walkers and residents, said Claire Moore, an employee at Deer Hollow Farm, the educational and historic working farm in the foothills of Los Altos that is part of the Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve.
“They are just show-stoppers, said Jo Feeney, a Los Altos resident.
Find out what's happening in Los Altoswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Feeney and her husband, Hal, have come for years to greet the new “kids”—the baby goats and other baby animals. "You can see everyone stopping to see just them.”
And Moore hopes for more.
Find out what's happening in Los Altoswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The farm's only cow, Luna, is pregnant. Last year, Luna lost her babies and became the “adoptive mother” to others.
Sitch and Pearl, two of the baby lambs, were born two weeks ago, Moore said. Four other baby lambs were born last weekend. Armstrong, another lamb, was born a month ago.
Stella and Rocky, the baby goats, were born Jan. 23, says a sign along the fence.
“The births are really just so exciting,” Moore said. "To be able to see a baby animal or even to see it born, I love it."
Karen Jessen, a Los Altos Hills resident, said she used to be a docent at the garden about 20 years ago and now walks in the area, passing by Deer Hollow three times a week.
“It’s a delight to come here, and it was a wonderful place to volunteer, because the kids enjoy it so much,” Jessen said. She remembers when Luna lost her babies last year.
The farm is mostly volunteer-run, with 15 or so livestock volunteers throughout the week, according to Moore. The farm is supported by the county, the district and the city of Mountain View, with the help of Friends of Deer Hollow Farm. The communities of Cupertino and Los Altos Hills also contribute to the farm's support.
People are welcome to walk around the farm Tuesday through Sunday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with an early closing of 1 p.m. on Wednesdays. Deer Hollow is still a working farm and sells its eggs.
Spring farm tours start in March and are sponsored by the local volunteer group, Friends of Deer Hollow Farm.
