In
2002 David Sheppy purchased
2 in-calf longhorn heifers;
the beginning of the Three
Bridges Farm pedigree suckler
herd. Our first
calf (Delilah) was born in
April 2002 and has gone on
to win several prestigious
prizes at the Royal Bath and
West and the Three Counties
agricultural shows.
The Three Bridges herd now comprise 24 breeding cows and 2 bulls. Longhorns
are a traditional beef breed, and David hopes that they will become a viable
commercial enterprise in the long term.
Chickens and Ducks
A mixture of rare breed chickens are kept in the
run adjacent to the pond. These provide eggs for the house, and
Tea Rooms.
Wild ducks inhabit the pond along with rare breeds of ducks, geese and swans. Moorhen and Coots also nest on the island.
Sheep
A small flock
of mixed and cross-bred ewes
is kept to graze the orchards,
but in September 2004, we purchased
our own ram. He is a pedigree
Wiltshire Horn and will begin
a shift towards our own pedigree
flock of his breed. This
is a slightly unusual "traditional"
sheep breed with a good frame,
but which does not require shearing. Lambing
usually takes place here in March
or April.
