Animal attractions

April 11, 2016 at 12:00a.m.

CANFIELD

Sisters Breanna and Alivia Maderitz are staunch animal lovers, so they were far from being disappointed when they had the chance to bring their love for animals down to the farm.

“We come every year. I liked the baby chicks,” Breanna said, referring to one of many attractions she enjoyed during Sunday’s 24th annual Farm Animal Baby Shower at Mill Creek MetroParks Farm, 7574 Columbiana-Canfield Road (state Route 46).

Breanna, a Boardman Center Middle School sixth-grader, was among the hundreds of people of all ages who came to the six-hour gathering, which kicked off this season’s opening of the farm. The event also allowed participants to see and learn more about a variety of baby farm animals, noted Brenda Markley, Mill Creek MetroParks’ agriculture-education manager.

For their part, Breanna and Alivia, a St. Charles School third-grader, care for a dog, a cat and a fish at home. Their favorite school subjects are English and math, said the girls, who came with their father, Joe Maderitz.

Many attendees visited three barns and interacted with animals such as baby goats, chickens, rabbits, horses, sheep, turkeys (called poults) and rabbits, some of which were pregnant. Also on hand were specialty animals, including a potbellied pig, a black alpaca, a camel and a kangaroo.

A cluster of baby turkeys that were a few days old brought several smiles to 2-year-old Danika Uptegraph’s face. Accompanying Danika, of Salem, were her grandmother, Gina Uptegraph, and Gina’s boyfriend, Ethan Gitschier.

Another draw for some people was an incubator in one of the barns. Inside were several trays of eggs, many of which were on the verge of hatching.

“I’m a duck and goose sitter,” Joe Fagnano, a MetroParks volunteer, said with laughter about his main duty during Sunday’s kickoff event.

Fagnano, an eight-year park volunteer, showed and allowed people to handle several tiny, delicate ducklings and goslings that were kept warm in metal tubs.

Many participants also learned more about various rabbit breeds, such as harlequins. That type originated in France and is distinguishable largely by colorful markings.

Tyler Moff of Berlin Center, who’s also a park volunteer, had a white Lionhead rabbit, the likes of which normally live between five and eight years and can be brown, tan and other colors.

The farm is planning several field trips before the end of the 2015-16 school year, along with weekly summer family tours, Markley noted. But for now, she wanted to get the word out that plenty of fun awaits those who visit the farm and partake of its offerings.

“The purpose [of the baby shower gathering] is just to say, ‘We’re open,’” Markley said.