Meet Our Animals
Get to know their stories.
Jolene
Jolene the drama queen! Even though she’s the youngest pig, Jolene rules the roost (more like the pig pen). She’s extremely affectionate and loves to spend her time munching on plants and complaining when supper is late.
Macey-Pop
Macey-Pop is our best behaved pig. Before finding her forever home at Ricky’s Drift, she was the victim of animal abuse, and lost her unborn children. Now Maisie lives a peaceful life, burrowing for bugs and cuddling with Jolene.
Penelope
The first of our pigs to arrive at the farm, Penelope has grown up to be an angry pig and has to be kept safely behind a fence at all times. She is quite content in her private pen and age seems to be mellowing her a little.
Picasso
Picasso came to us from a farm in the broader district. He has one outward turned leg and so is no use for dressage, jumping etc. His purpose on the farm was to be the third wheel in our trio of horses. We lost Echo, our eldest mare in early 2024. Picasso was the most affected and grieved for her for months. Now his usual sweet natured self, he tolerates Calista’s kicking and biting with grace.
Calista
Calista and Echo were the first rescues to arrive on the farm. Saved from severe neglect by the SPCA, they arrived weak and painfully thin. Turned loose on the farm, they soon recovered and now enjoy a life with as much freedom and dignity as we are able to provide.
Echo
When we rescued Echo, no one else wanted her because of her bad skin cancer. Told that she would not live longer than 2 years, we took her. She self medicated in the veldt and grew strong again and lived another 12 years before succumbing to the cancer early in 2024. Her gentle presence is much missed.
Jess
Jess is Ricky’s Drift’s very own princess. She is everyone’s darling, and loves long walks and ear scratches. Taken from her Mom at the age of 2 weeks, the SPCA rescued her outside a pub and once she was weaned she came to us. We feel blessed to have her among us.
Dixie
Dixie is Daddy’s Dog. Loyalty, obedience and rules are very important to her and she takes her job seriously. Wherever RIcky is, Dixie will not be far away. Dixie’s Mom died when she was 2 weeks old. Only a puppy herself, the stress of 11 babies proved too much. What Dixie lacks in courage, she makes up for in gentle kindness.
Robert and the hens.
Proud keeper of his small flock, Robert is a survivor. Our chickens arrived as a flock of hens rescued from an egg operation and they have roamed the farmyard ever since. Many of our older hens have passed or succumbed to the Rooikat and Mongoose and the current flock includes 3 hens and 4 young pullets and of course, Robert.
The Donkeys
Our most recent arrivals, our inseparable little family of donkeys are ex cart donkeys who have retired. Dad, Nelson is old and tired and a little shy of humans. Mom, Gladys is annoyed with humans and quick to stamp her foot at inconsiderate behaviour. Both are easily won over and love cuddles and affection. Their son, Ezekiel, has never pulled a cart or been treated badly and he is curious and playful and loves to engage with everyone.
