Our Animals | Shine Hollow Farms

The Animals of
Shine Hollow Farms

Shine Hollow Farms is home to many diverse species of animals. Primarily a dairy cattle farming operation for over 30 years, the farm has also raised beef cattle, goats, chickens, ducks and swine. In recent years, the farm has introduced sheep such as Katahdins and Wool sheep that consist of multiple breeds along the lines of Dorset, Hampshires, Naturals and Southdowns. Below is what we currently raise and manage on the farm.

Dairy

Our dairy cows are made up of multiple, wonderful breeds. They range from the smallest to the biggest, in every variety imaginable with all their own different quirks and personalities.

We average 44 milking cows at a time with an average of 20 in their dry lot period before their next lactations. We raise our own heifers up for replacements in the milk barn as well.

We have shown our girls at county fairs and through the great 4-H organization of Williamson County in Tennessee. Not only have we competed locally, but also at a national level and world level.

Breeds here on the farm:

Holstein
Jersey
Brown Swiss
Crossbreeds between all three of the breeds.

Fiona, a Red and White Holstein, being shown at the Nashville Fair.

Teresa the Brown Swiss Cow winning Grand Champion at the Tennessee State Fair

Sheep

Sheep were a later addition to the farm after first showing a few through 4-H at our local county fairs.

It started out with crossbred shown lambs of Dorset, Hampshires, Naturals and Southdown lineage.

A flock of Katahdins were added in 2018, to primarily sell for meat and show in the breeding ewe and ram classes at fairs.

Lambs are offered in the spring for purchase as well.

Selena, our livestock guardian dog who if not with the sheep, roams the entirety of the farm on the lookout for predators.

Poultry

We have many breeds of chickens on the farm that lay eggs of all varieties.

We have had Rhode Island Reds, Buff & Lavender Orpingtons, Barred Rocks, Oliver Eggers, Polish, Silkies and many more other breeds.

Hopefully, we will be offering chicks and hatching eggs next year from two breeds.

The Black Copper Maran, which lays a dark, brown similar to chocolate in color egg. Like the egg presented in the image on the right.

The Amerucauna, lays a green or blue tinted egg, sometimes speckled as well. A light green one is pictured from the second left in the picture of five eggs.