Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Ranch — Attraction in Eloy

the only thing I liked about this place was that the animals were cute and that it’s a ‘fun’ place to take kids. my little siblings seemed to enjoy it. i did a bit too- but i couldn’t shake the nagging, guilty and overall sad feeling looming over me the whole time I was there. i’m a little baffled by the amount of super positive reviews. i’m not sure if most people are aware of what good animal husbandry entails-but what was displayed there certainly wasn’t it.

here are a few things that really bugged me: -the size of the enclosures.the actual sizes weren’t that bad. the problem is- there were tens upon tens of animals per enclosure.they were INCREDIBLY overcrowded.this obviously causes immense stress on the animals and often leads to fighting. i was shocked at how many donkeys were kept in a such a tiny area, baffled at the amount of stingrays kept in what resembled a kiddy pool. innumerable ostriches we’re kept in a small, almost laughable stretch of “land”. goats were mounted in uncomfortable positions- forced to stick their heads out of tiny “kissing booth” slots and for what reason? solely for our ‘entertainment’.no benefit for them whatsoever. Now-I don’t know if their living spaces are larger than what was displayed- but as far as I could see- most of the animals enclosures were far, far too small and much, much too crowded.

-the unnecessary competition for food. donkeys would fight for a chance to stick their head through the feeding slots,chickens and birds would peck at each other until one of them receded and the victor annihilated their food in a hurried rush.my question is why?why not ensure all of these animals have a decent, filling amount of food for themselves instead of forcing them to fight for a guests attention?

the lack of enrichment. tens upon tens of bunnies and not a toy or twig in sight to keep them stimulated.far too many birds and again- hardly any enrichment to keep their minds active. same thing for the tortoises,goats and donkeys. why is enrichment important you may ask?it provides mental stimulation, a way for animals to use their natural instincts and prevent downright boredom. these animals had nothing to live for. they exist for entertainment, at the mercy of guests who most probably have no idea what an actual,thriving living space for an animal looks like.if they did- i’m sure they wouldn’t have come.

-the animal food. this,again,shocked me. you’d think- after having obtained so many living creatures - that they would’ve done some research into what a nutritious diet looks like for each animal.the parakeets were fed nothing but fatty seeds and nectar, hour after hour by eager guests. birds require a rich, nutritious diet that consists of a variety of grains and vegetables. the tortoises were fed nothing but asparagus. where’s the variety? the other greens? bunnies require fresh,leafy vegetables on a daily basis.all they got were were these terribly sad looking pellets.I don’t know if the animals are fed the appropriate foods to complete a well balanced diet at the end of the day, perhaps when the guests are gone- but even still:the tremendous amount of low quality food they receive throughout the day is pretty concerning and benefits no one.

animals do not exist for our entertainment or exploitation.i fear the only ones who would actually enjoy a place like this are those who are oblivious of what an animals actual needs are, and children.there are plenty of other places to visit that do not force the animals into uncomfortable positions,and unacceptable...

My friend and I stopped by the Ostrich Ranch today. We had a blast (and we didn't bring any kids with us)! We fed the donkeys, deer, goats, rabbits, ducks, ostriches, parakeets, lorikeets, bunnies, and stingrays. All of the animals were well fed and well behaved. They family who owns the ranch has obviously spent a lot of time with all of them. Yeah, I admit that the goat "penthouse" seems odd...but none of the animals in any of the pens seemed stressed or upset. I thought the holes that the goats poked their heads out of was a great idea. There was a lining so the goats wouldn't scratch themselves on the wood, and it kept them from climbing over each other to get food. There was fresh food in every pen, as well as clean water and shelter. I also thought it was great that they only gave people a limited amount of food, since all animals are on a specific diet and you don't want to overfeed them.

The family who owns the place, plus all the employees, were very pleasant and very helpful. The whole facility was very, very clean and the animals were clean and freshly brushed. We easily spent a couple hours here and would have stayed longer if we had time! I will certainly recommend this place to my other friends and I will...

Absolutely fantastic experience at Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Ranch! From the moment we arrived, the staff was incredibly welcoming and made us feel right at home. The ranch offers a unique and fun opportunity to interact with ostriches and many other animals, which is unlike anything I've ever done before.

The ranch also features a variety of other animals, including goats, donkeys, deer, bunnies, tortoises, lorikeets, and stings rays. It was great to see how well the animals are cared for and the engaging way the staff educates visitors about each species.

The setting is picturesque, with plenty of beautiful open spaces and a beautiful view of Picacho Peek . We enjoyed a fun and educational monster truck ride that provided a great overview of the ranch, and the duck show held by Rooster Cogburn himself was awesome and funny!

Overall, Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Ranch is a delightful place for families, animal lovers, or anyone looking for a unique outing. The combination of hands-on experiences, knowledgeable staff, and a lovely atmosphere makes it deserving of every bit of its five-star rating. Can't wait to visit again! Highly...