It’s officially spring and baby animals will be hanging out at farms across NH. Here’s where to go.
Whenever I think of this time of year I’m reminded of a quote from “We Have Always Lived in the Castle” by Shirley Jackson that goes: “It’s spring, you’re young, you’re lovely, you have a right to be happy. Come back into the world.” It has always felt like the perfect way of summing up how it feels to move away from the dark days of seasonal affective disorder and back into the light-filled months of warmer weather. And what better way to seek happiness on a gorgeous spring day than by spending time with baby animals?
Throughout New Hampshire’s charming towns and countryside, sweet little babies are coming into the world for the very first time. They’ll be learning how to walk and run, and, if they’re goats, engage in some level of parkour. Many farms and sanctuaries allow you to visit with the animals or even observe them from afar, but they all have rules regarding whether you can or can’t feed the animals, pet them, or pick them up.
Regardless of which location you check out on this list, it’s important to follow the rules there to ensure the safety and well-being of the animals, especially when they’re young and vulnerable. They have a right to be happy as much as you do.
1. Charmingfare Farm, Candia
Located at 774 High Street in Candia, Charmingfare Farm is home to both farm animals and wildlife. Zoo Admission doesn’t open until May 7, but you can purchase tickets in advance here. It’s a self-guided experience, meaning you and whoever you’d like to bring with you (family, friends, or partner!) can take time checking out the farm animal petting area, wildlife exhibits, scenic trails, and interactive features.
As an added bonus, Charmingfare is holding a special Barnyard Babies & Beyond event on Apr. 18 to 19 and April 25 to 26, where you can see chicks, baby goats, lambs, ducklings, and other little ones at various times throughout the day. Farm tours, milking demonstrations, crafts, pony rides, and feeding sessions are also scheduled. Plus, there’s a picnic area where you can relax and have a bite to eat after experiencing all that joy and excitement. Tickets are $29 per person/child (unless they’re under 23 months old) and can be purchased through this link.
2. The Friendly Farm, Dublin
In Dublin (New Hampshire, that is, not Ireland…), The Friendly Farm bills itself as “a place where people and animals mingle comfortably.” Encompassing five acres of land, the farm, located along Route 101, has chicks, goat kids, baby pigs, and lambs, as well as countless other animals, such as horses, llamas, rabbits, and turkeys. Admission costs $14 per adult and $10 per child between the ages of 1 and 12. Here, you can bottle feed the baby goats, hold newly hatched chicks in the chicken coop, and generally spend time connecting with the creatures who inhabit the world alongside us.
3. Joppa Hill Educational Farm, Bedford
Joppa Hill Educational Farm is found at 174 Joppa Hill Road in Bedford. It’s completely free to visit, though you’re encouraged to leave a $5 donation to help cover the costs associated with running the farm. To learn more about the beloved animals that call Joppa Hill home and what their respective names are, click here. Some highlights include farm cats, cows, horses, goats, sheep, and ducks.
This location has specific rules to follow when you’re interacting with any of the animals. Joppa Hill asks that you refrain from bringing your own food to feed the animals, as this poses certain health risks. You’ll need farm staff to enter enclosures with you, and you’re asked to ensure your children aren’t chasing any of the cats, ducks, or chickens freely roaming around the area. It’s also best to wash your hands with soap and water after interacting with any of the animals.
4. J&F Farms, Derry
J&F Farms (108 Chester Road) in Derry operates a petting zoo where you can feed baby animals for $5 per cup of grain. Alpacas, horses, donkeys, pigs, goats, ponies, sheep, and cows will all be milling about. Oh, and bunnies and chickens too, of course! J&F occasionally holds seasonal events and sells a wide selection of locally made products. For more information on what you can see and buy, click here.
5. Amazing Grace Animal Sanctuary, Sullivan
An animal sanctuary is a place where rescued critters can live the rest of their lives in peace with an unending source of love and safety. In Sullivan, the Amazing Grace Animal Sanctuary houses 47 animals that are always grateful to receive a little extra attention. The sanctuary doesn’t have set hours of operation and says people can stop by whenever they want. Like Joppa Hill, though, Amazing Grace has a set of rules you need to abide by when you’re visiting:
- Please refrain from going into the goat pen unless you’re accompanied by farm staff.
- Don’t feed the animals unless a member of the staff can help you and monitor how much you’re feeding the babies.
- Don’t enter the pasture with the alpacas, horses, and donkeys.
- Please use a soft voice with the animals, pat them gently, and please do not chase them.
6. Beech Hill Farm and Ice Cream Barn, Hopkinton
The only thing that could possibly be better than hanging out with baby animals is being able to get ice cream afterward. This is where Hopkinton’s Beech Hill Farm and Ice Cream Barn comes in. Located at 107 Beech Hill Road, this farm has baby goats, calves, lambs, rabbits, piglets, chickens, donkeys, and ducks. There’s also a giant sand pile for kids to play in, a gardener’s barn, and of course—ice cream.
With over 75 flavors to choose from (they serve sherbert, low-fat yogurts, sorbets, nonfat ice cream, and sugar-free ice cream in addition to traditional ice cream), it might be hard to decide what you end up getting. Standard flavors are listed here, and seasonal offerings are available as well. A word of advice? Get two scoops so you can try two different things at the same time. Oh, and make sure you wash your hands between patting the animals and eating your ice cream!
