Barn Loft at Mini Zoo (Alpacas, Donkeys & More)

The space

Newly renovated loft (392 sq. ft.) with two porches with bathroom (shower, toilet, sink), new furniture, appliances, and heating and AC. Fair warning: the bathroom is small and has slanted ceiling, so watch your head. Queen-sized bed with 2 nightstands, Twin sized Day Bed, child sized Futon couch/bed, queen sized mattress (if needed).kitchen area with microwave, fridge, toaster, counter Ice Maker and coffee service (Nespresso!), dining area with table and 2 chairs, 4 TV dinner tables, sleep noise machine, Patio furniture on front and back porches, WIFI, Smart TV with Amazon, Hulu. Grill and picnic table. Also, games (dominoes, backgammon, UNO, Sorry, Yahtzee, Jenga and puzzles) Dishes, towels, toiletries, and snacks are provided. There are two porches attached to the loft: One toward our home (104 sq. ft.) and a larger enclosed porch/room with large window (168 sq. ft.) at the back of the loft with a beautiful view of the pasture and woods where you will see Mini Donkeys, Alpacas, and often, deer, turkeys and foxes. The loft is above the barn where we house the chinchillas, some bunnies, tortoises, and a stall for our 2 sheep that has a door to the front pasture. There are several enclosures around the yard housing bunnies and chickens. We live next door to some rodeo cowboys that have horses and some calves to practice roping on. Home after that is Privette Family Farm that sells plants, produce and lets people come pick blueberries and peaches when in season. Our yard is not pristine because our free ranging rabbit and tortoises eat weeds and dandelions. And I, (Tami) also pick those to feed the caged creatures.

Guest access

The entire loft is for guests only. The lower story of the barn is available also, and has a TV, cookstove, heater. We we will need to go in and out of it at least twice/day to care for the animals. Please note: animals are in the barn and where you have animals, you have smells. We clean stalls and cages often, but just wanted you to know. Also, in between April and October, barn swallows return to our barn to nest and have their babies. (You can see them in the photos.) They fly in and out of the barn on their search for insects to eat and feed their chicks. They are charming little birds and fun to watch swoop around the yard, but they poop a lot below their nests and we can't control that! We pressure wash the barn each fall after they depart. Our home is on the property also, but there are Light blocking drapes and blinds on the windows in the loft and is far away enough from our home that you will have privacy.

Other details

The first story of the barn and yard are available to the guests so they can have some personal contact with our animals: 3 Alpacas, 2 Mini Donkeys, 2 Sheep, 4 Chinchillas, 6 Norwegian Dwarf Bunnies, 5 Holland Lop Bunnies , 2 African Spurred Tortoises (that free range most afternoons), and many chickens (and yes, the roosters do cock-a-doodle doo at dawn). We also have a Tuxedo Cat (Kosmos) and an AussieDoodle (Barkley). They assist us on our morning and evening duties in feeding and caring for the outside animals. Barkley is exceedingly friendly and (contrary to his name) rarely barks. Kosmo is a scaredy-cat, so you'll probably never see him. About Interactions with our Creatures: The donkeys (Jenny and Rowdy) are very friendly and love to be petted and get carrots from guests. Jenny (the larger brown one) is very docile while her son, Rowdy, can be a little toot and try to nibble at your shirt or coat if he thinks he's not getting enough attention, so watch out for that. The Alpacas (Jolene, Striking and Nikki) are somewhat shy, but they will take feed from your hands. Striking is the boldest one and she'll take a graham cracker from you and might let you pet her. Our two male sheep (Watson and Ruger) are extremely friendly and like being petted or be walked around the yard like a dog. The Chinchillas (Archie, AJ and new baby, Paco) are fun to watch and give treats to. The only one that likes to be held is Archie. We are training the new baby to be used to being handled. It's entertaining to watch them run on their wheel and take dust baths. They get Cheerios or raisins for treats, but only 4/each/day. The Tortoises (Titus, slightly bigger, and Tabby) really like having their shells rubbed and when they get used to you doing that you can try to pet their heads. They are 2 years old and about 10 inches wide. They like to take treats like grapes and tomatoes from your hand, but watch your fingers, they can pinch. The Bunnies. We have two kinds of rabbits, Holland Lop-Eared and Netherland Dwarf (maximum weight is 4-5 pounds). The Holland Lops are Marshmallow and her 3 new babies and Foo Foo-who free ranges. Marshmallow is extremely tame and likes to be held and petted. Foo Foo might come to you and let you pet him, but no guarantee. The Netherland Dwarf bunnies are the dark bunnies in the photos and they are very friendly, so you can play with them all you want - even take them up to the loft for a little while, but don't let them run free because rabbits are notorious for finding wires and chewing through them faster than a buzz saw! The chickens aren't afraid of you and will wander into the barn or come close to you looking for a hand out - they love bread and will come to you if you call "Chicky Chicky." We live on the property so are available for any questions about them and we will be in the barn 2-3 times a day to feed and care for the animals. We have two cameras: one at the front porch of our home and one aimed at the Sheep stall in the barn. No cameras pointed at our guests and, certainly NONE in the loft. We have motion lights at the front of the barn to deter coyotes and other predators but the Light blocking curtains don't let the light into the loft. Smoking is allowed, but outside only and dispose of butts in the ashtrays. There's a good chance a tortoise may eat one. There are several Restaurants within 10 minutes of our place and many others about 20 minutes away (Statesville, Jonesville and Elkin). Also, there are places to kayak, canoe, or raft on the Yadkin River and many Winery's about 20 minutes north of us (Elkin Area).

Interaction with guests

We will interact with our guests as much or as little as they would like. Initially, we will give a tour of all the animals and let our guests know where the treats are if they are inclined to interact with the animals during their stay.