mobanmarketPEABODY, MA — Peabody’s Brooksby Farm is looking to assure visitors and city residents that their barnyard animals, while older and with some dealing with significant health issues, are being well taken care of to “set the record straight” amid “a couple of posts that have been going around on (Facebook).”
“Please, do not believe everything you read on social media,” management at the 270-acre, city-owned farm posted on its Facebook page this week. “Some people are only there to cause problems and deny our requests to come in and talk to us. This is always an option for anyone to do.
“Our animals are getting old. We have been doing everything we can to make sure that they are living their best life.”
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The farm said Lola, the emu, has an issue with her hooves and that they are “looking into the best options for her at this point.” They said a rehabilitation specialist, veterinarian, animal control and MSPCA have assured that she is in “great health” other than her hooves.
Hoppy and Lally, the alpaca, recently had their summer haircuts and are in “great health” despite being “very old sheep.”
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The farm said the chickens have a mite issue that was treated once caregivers learned about it. The treatment started about one month ago, the farm said, and they are being kept in clean spaces with “a special sand to roll in.”
The farm said Pierre, the emu, is “his happy self” and is exhibiting normal summer behavior.
“Our barnyard is set up so that our animals have plenty of shade, a sprinkler going continuously when hot, three water containers — two are inside so you may not see them but trust us, they are there),” the farm said. “Brand new stall mats have been purchased and installed inside and out for the animals’ comfort and cleanliness. They also have a fan blowing on them for cooling comfort.
“They all get fed 365 days a year. Each animal gets designated food for their type and fresh hay is always out there for extra munching.”
The farm said that most of the animals are older but are receiving “the best care possible.”
“We are all animal lovers and personal decisions are tough with an aging barnyard,” the farm said. “We know we are in the public eye and we love that you all care. We care. We all spend a lot of time here on the farm making difficult decisions and getting advice anywhere we can.
“Those of you who know us personally know that we will always do what’s right for every creature we have.”
Patch has reached out to Brooksby Farm for any further information or updates on the animals.
(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)
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