What better way to celebrate Mother’s Day than a trip to see cute baby animals nuzzling with their mamas? Whether you want to pet lambs and bunnies or gaze upon calves, pigs, chicks and goats, there is a range of farms in New York City or within a 90-minute drive. We meet the star attractions at each spot, guaranteed to make you go “awwww!”
Peanut (pygmy goat)
Muscoot Farm, Katonah, NY
Birth date: April 13
Always springing up in the air and dancing around with his friends, Peanut is the happiest baby goat on the block. He’s his mom Pia’s firstborn, and he loves nursing and cuddling with her. “Everybody loves his personality” says Sue Moga, the farm manager. “He jumps around so much, it’s like he’s flying.” Kids can’t touch him when he’s in the barn, but Muscoot hosts a special baby animals day on Sunday, May 26, when all the newborn critters at the farm, including ducks, turkeys, lambs and calves, can be petted.
Other creatures: This wonderful, rambling “interpretative” farm is the perfect place to see horses, sheep, poultry, goats, cows and pigs close-up. The female pig is due to give birth just before Memorial Day weekend.
Info: Open daily, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., free; 914-864-7282, muscootfarm.org
Piglet
Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Floral Park
Birth date: Feb. 11
This Berkshire-breed male, whom the farm hasn’t named, is super intelligent and loves being around people. “Everybody loves pigs and he and his sister are among our most popular animals,” says farm manager Leah Retherford. He spends his days eating vegetables and, like most pigs, is partial to a roll in the mud.
Other creatures: Cows, sheep, alpacas and 200 grass-fed hens that lay about 10 dozen eggs per day. It’s also home to Italian honeybees, (check out the gift shop, where their raw wildflower honey is available for purchase). This educational site also includes historic farm buildings, a greenhouse complex, farm vehicles and implements, planting fields, an orchard, herb garden and vineyard.
Info: Open daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., free; 718-347-3276, queensfarm.org.
Dainty and Dora (lambs)
Valley Shepherd Creamery, Long Valley, NJ
Birth date: Dora, May 2; Dainty, May 4
These frollicking lambs are among 400 examples of the Friesian breed you can visit at this old-fashioned working sheep dairy in Morris County, NJ. “They’re pretty shy and don’t have quite the same frisky personalities as our kids [goats], but they’re still incredibly cute,” says the farm’s owner, master cheese-maker Eran Wajswol, whose company has outlets in Park Slope and Philadelphia’s Reading Terminal Market. Like most lambs, Dainty is one of triplets, and Dora has a twin. They can be petted and held for photos by visitors who book the “milk and cheese tours.”
Other goodies: Foodies will be in heaven sampling the various artisanal cheeses, yogurt and butter produced at the dairy. During the tours, which take place on weekends and last around 90 minutes, Wajswol and his staff explain the cheese-making process. Samples are available. Afterward, you can browse the Sheep Shoppe which sells food products and farm-themed gifts and toys. Bring a picnic or buy a fresh baguette and cheese from the store to enjoy on the porch and lawns.
Info: Thursday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; tours on Saturday and Sunday, 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.; $6.75 for ages 2 to 13, and $8.75 for adults; 908-876-3200, valleyshepherd.com
Flopsy and Mopsy (bunnies)
White Post Farms, Melville, LI
Birth date: April 12
Named for the adorable Beatrix Potter characters, these two Jersey Wooly bunnies come from a litter of 10 baby rabbits, all born healthy and strong to mom, Fluffy. “They are so soft and snuggly,” says Daisy, 5, of Westchester, NY (and the daughter of this reporter) as she holds them in her lap. “I want to take them home!” The bunnies are too young to be fed, but are brought out to be carefully stroked during kids’ birthday parties in little wicker baskets.
Other creatures: This children’s paradise is packed with adorable critters including lambs, pigs, goats, alpacas, camels and kangaroos. A baby calf named Cody was born during our visit, much to the delight of onlookers. The standout attraction is the giant free-flight aviary, a calming oasis of flowers with a cascading waterfall.
Info: Open daily; admission, $14 per person (16 months and up) on weekends, $10 weekdays. Moms and grandmothers are admitted free this Mother’s Day weekend; 631-351-9373, whitepostfarms.com.
Cilla (Bantam chick)
The Art Farm in the City, 419 E. 91st St.
Hatch date: April 1
Cilla, the biggest and boldest of a trio of bantam chicks, arrived at this small urban petting zoo when she was 1 day old. “She is always trying to flap her wings and fly, even though she’s not the type of bird that can,” says Jen Oi, animal caretaker and on-site educator. Kids can sit down on the floor and hold and stroke Cilla, feeding her crickets and corn. She and the other bantams will likely start laying their own eggs when they are 6 months old.
Other creatures: Housed on the bottom two floors of a townhouse, the Art Farm offers up an eclectic assortment of animals ranging from the adorable — there are several bunnies, guinea pigs, parrots and doves — to the downright weird. “We have hissing cockroaches from Madagascar,” says Oi. “Kids love them,” she says.
We’ll take her word for it.
Info: Weekdays are reserved for classes, school and camp groups; drop-in sessions, Saturday and Sunday, 8 to 10 a.m. $15 per child, $5 for adults; 212-410-3117, theartfarms.org
Ferdinand (calf)
Pierson Farm, Otisville, Orange County, NY
Birth date: April 24
Owner Jackie Pierson, an eighth-generation farmer, named the bashful Black Angus calf after the main character in her favorite children’s book “The Story of Ferdinand” by Munro Leaf about a gentle, flower-loving young bull. Petting isn’t allowed — there’s an electric fence! — but Ferdinand and his friends draw plenty of coos from afar.
Other creatures: This charming, slightly ramshackle working farm in the Hudson Valley couldn’t be more low-key or less commercial. You can pet and feed playful pygmy goats in the barn along with sheep and lambs. (Our favorite was a 2-week-old little fellow named Jacob.) Food pellets are on sale from a dispenser so bring a pocketful of quarters. As well as a greenhouse stocked with flowers and plants, Pierson runs a shop selling eggs, naturally raised beef and decorative items for your garden.
Info: Thursday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; free; 845-386-1882, piersonsfarm.com.
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