Watt Farms Country Market — Local services in Town of Gaines

Terrible living conditions for livestock. If you want to show your kids unhappy animals, this is the place to go. On October 11th I went to Watts Farms to go apple picking with my family and noticed that the chickens in the small petting zoo were not receiving the proper care. In the cage was ONE hen and 10+ roosters. The recommended ratio is 8-15 hens for every one rooster to prevent over-mating, bullying, and related behavioral issues. The one unfortunate hen had her feathers ripped off her back from over-mating, her skin torn and abraded, and was being bullied by the roosters. By how she frantically inhaled the food pellets I offered her, I suspect the roosters may be preventing her from eating, or perhaps there is a lack of food in general. The roosters were also being neglected; almost all of the roosters had overgrown spurs to the point where they could not comfortably walk, tail feathers completely ripped out due to fighting from rooster overcrowding, and other wounds from being placed in an improperly cared for habitat. Along with these more obvious tells, there were more subtle signs of neglect such as bloody heads and featherless behinds from severe bullying and stress. These conditions are not normal or humane for these creatures. I recommend that if the roosters and the hens are not going to be completely separated, that the roosters be reduced to one or two (at most) in number, perhaps removed altogether if fertilized eggs are not a concern. In any case, many more hens should be added to produce a more livable hen:rooster ratio. In addition, the roosters’ spurs should be trimmed to a proper length. If Watts Farms does not know how to properly care for chickens, there should not be a chicken exhibit. I am not familiar enough with goats to comment on Watts Farms goats’ living conditions, but I can only hope they are receiving proper care. I have been to Watts Farms many times since I was a child and find the apple picking enjoyable, but I cannot frequent an establishment that has such blatant disregard for the wellbeing of their animals. Watts Farms, clean up and care for your animals properly, or give them to...

Great family outing location. Lots of U-Pick depending on the season, large shop full of county style goodies and we can't leave without an ice cream treat. The homemade fudge is amazing, I suggest anything with peanut butter as a taste bud winner. Lack of fifth star is for maintenance. The playground, kid style out building and train all need some TLC. I would even recommend taking the playground down as it's only "safe" for advanced climbers and just a bit dodgy all together. The goats and old bunny enclosure also looking...

The apricots here are better than any other types in the area. Unfortunately the apricots haven't been upick for a few years but if you're in the area during the growing season, pick some up from the farm store (I recommend calling ahead to see what they have). The peaches for picking are also great as are the other fruit and goodies you can purchase (fudge, jams, honey, pickles). To cool off afterward picking, they also have an ice cream shop serving Perry's and shaded picnic...