Animals

Purpose of Ranch Animals

We take good care of our animals, but we are not a petting zoo! This is a ranch meaning we produce meat for food. Most of the animals are here to do work or for the production of food or fiber. The animals provide campers with opportunities to develop real hands-on skills in a real workplace. The youngest campers, like children growing up on a ranch, enjoy observing and interacting with the animals.  Students in Beginning Agriculture Camp learn why we raise the animals, and they learn routine care and management. Depending on their interest and maturity, they can elect to shadow staff for more in-depth experiences.

Students at higher levels follow a rigorous program including anatomy and physiology; see the curriculum for Advanced Camp.

"Brian, I have some exciting news, I applied to UC Davis and got in the program!  I needed to write an essay, and wrote about the hands on work I did at Devil's Gulch Ranch in the advanced animal science class.  Last summer was awesome,  I want to attend again this summer." Megan    

"The work we do here is real, we don't just look at animals we give them shots and stuff like that." 11 year old Mike

hHorses

Devil's Gulch Ranch breeds quality quarter horses. Students will have the opportunity to ride, but the emphasis of our program is on learning about the horse; please be advised that we are not a horseback riding camp! Students will also be involved with the breeding and management of brood mares and their foals.

Rabbits

wnRabbits are a major enterprise of Devil's Gulch Ranch and are raised for local fine restaurants. With over 1,000 rabbits on site and 25 does bred every week of the year, we often have 25 does kindling (giving birth) in a given week. The rabbit facility is used extensively for advanced students, who can be involved with every step of rabbit production every week. The fur is used for crafts including felting and tanning.

Pigs

fWe breed pure Berkshire pigs and also cross Yorkshire sows to Berkshire boars. The sows deliver throughout the summer (although not necessarily every week); the baby pigs are a favorite for the students.  Students are exposed to the management of the breeding, farrowing  (giving birth) and weaning. The feeding of the weaned pigs is done off site.

Hi, Drake had a good time, He slept a lot this weekend and is still a little tired this morning.  That must be a good sign that he had too much fun!! He did not return home with any traditional camp crafts!!  No crosses made from popsicle sticks, no lanyards, no yarn god’s eyes!! We think that is a good sign hat he had fun! Donna

Sheep

sOur Dorset sheep are given free range in the vineyards, feeding on grasses that grow between the vines.  Because of this practice, spraying is not necessary and mowing and tilling are minimized. Campers use the wool for spinning and felting. The lambs are raised for their meat, which is sold to local restaurants.

Poultry and Game Birds

Chickens are also free-ranged in the vineyards during much of the year. The hens provide eggs for ranch residents and for sale. Our younger campers take special delight in collecting the eggs as part of morning chores. Campers also use the feathers for art projects, jewelry, and tying flies for fishing.

Quail and pheasants are hatched and brooded by the students throughout the spring and summer; like the chickens, they supply feathers for arts and crafts. The meat is used by the residents and sold to local restaurants. These birds are raised in cages on the ground so the birds have access to clean dirt, which is good for their health.