PRESS RELEASE: BABY ANIMALS 2023

Richmond, Virginia – To celebrate spring, Maymont welcomes five baby goats and three Brahma chicks to Maymont Farm this week, just in time for Dominion Energy Family Easter on April 8. The new kids on the block are visiting Maymont for a few weeks from their home on a farm in Hanover County, while the chicks will become permanent residents in the Maymont flock. The new chicks and kids are on view daily at the Maymont Farm from 10 am to 5 pm.

The five black-and-white kids were born this winter and are now fully weaned. While they’re young, they will get to pal around with Maymont’s current goat herd, which includes three different breeds: Nigerian dwarf, pygmy and hybrid Angora/Boer goats. These kids are a domestic breed that originated in Tennessee.

The three chicks were hatched this month and will grow to 8 or 10 pounds at maturity, with magnificent black-and-white plumage. Brahmas are among the largest breed of domestic chickens, known to be gentle giants with distinctive frilly leg feathers and a graceful bearing. They join a flock of four resident chickens, one rooster and three hens, representing Golden-laced Wyandotte, Buff Orpington and Jersey Giant breeds.

“Spring is a great season to have baby animals at Maymont, when our environmental educators can teach about the seasonal nature of animal life cycles,” said Krista Weatherford, Director of Programming and Community Engagement. “Seeing young along with adult animals gives students a deeper experience at the Farm.”

Executive Director Parke Richeson added, “We look forward each spring to the arrival of baby animals at Maymont Farm. For many in our community, a visit to Maymont may provide the first opportunity to see and interact with a live chicken or goat.”

Along with the goats and chickens, Maymont Farm is home to horses, cows, sheep, pigs, ducks and a Sicilian donkey. At the Farm, guests are welcome to purchase tokens for feed pellets for the cows, sheep and goats, but not for Percy, who’s on a diet.

Between the Farm animals, The Robins Nature Center, and the habitats for rescued native wildlife who have recovered from rehab or have been deemed non-releasable to the wild, Maymont cares for over 400 animals representing over 85 different species. Anyone who would like to help feed and care for the new babies and the rest of the Maymont animal family is encouraged to donate to the Adopt an Animal program.

Free parking is available at the Farm lot at 1001 Spottswood Road. Admission to Maymont is free, and a suggested $5 donation is welcome. Maymont grounds are open from 10 am to 7 pm from March to October, and from 10 am to 5 pm from November to February.

Maymont is a well-preserved, historic 100-acre American estate overlooking the James River that was given to the public by James and Sallie Dooley, who lived there from 1893 to 1925. Today, Maymont is a welcoming community gathering place, with many unique experiences for all to enjoy, including the historic Maymont Mansion, The Robins Nature Center, an arboretum, formal gardens, and habitats for native Virginia wildlife and farm animals. Consistently ranked one of Central Virginia’s top attractions by travelers and locals alike, Maymont serves over 700,000 guests annually, with free admission to the grounds, plus guided and self-guided tours, seasonal events, programs and rental spaces. Since 1975, Maymont has been maintained and operated by the nonprofit Maymont Foundation, committed to creating programs and experiences that delight, educate and inspire its guests.  

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Note to editors: photos are available upon request to mabernathy@maymont.org.