The newest arrivals to Fordhall came very unexpectedly, a week ago last friday I was attending Shrewsbury Farmers Market when I received a phone call from Terry our neighbour. He asked if we owned an Ostrich, which of course we did not. He then went on to explain there was one running around in the field with my sheep.
Anyway to cut a very long story short. Two Rheas had been put in to a farmers field to graze the grass and they decided they didnt want to stay there. They swam the river tern ran over two roads and ended up at Fordhall.
Sadly one of the Rheas died from the stress of the whole ordeal, but the one remaining Rhea seems very happy at Fordhall next to the Gloucester Old Spot pigs by the farm shop.
The farmer has said that he does not want the Rhea’s back and so for now they are living with us. You can see them if you visit the farm during shop and nature trail open days (wed 11am-4pm, Fri 11am-6pm, Sat & Sun 11am-4pm).
By Farmer Ben