For many people, the only interactions they have had with farm animals are at the county fair's petting zoo. Little do they know of the curious creatures there are besides Old MacDonald's chickens, turkeys, and cows. Here are 12 of the weirdest animals that are as much a part of the farm family as Foghorn Leghorn.
12. Donkeys
10. Belted Galloway
Is that a zebra cow? Nope. It's a belted galloway, a heritage breed of cattle that is known for its long hair and quirky white belt that encircles its body. They are raised for their quality marbled beef, but are sometimes milked. They are also sometimes bought just because of their interesting appearance.
9. Herdwick Sheep
What shaggy hair you have, little sheep! The Herdwick isn't known for its wool quality or its lambing capacity, but they are still prized farm animals. Herdwicks have extremely good health and can live off foraging. They also stay in their territory and do not wander off.
8. Rhea
Rheas are flightless birds that look like tiny ostriches and are native to South America. Unlike other birds, rheas have only three toes. They are generally silent birds, unless the male is seeking a mate. He will try and attract the female with a "booming noise."
7. Arucana Chickens
Arucana chickens are a unique type of bird. They are rumpless (they do not have a last vertebrae or a tail), possess ear-tufts (feathers that grow out from near the birds' ears) and lay multi-colored eggs.
6. Guinea Fowl
These beautifully colored birds hail from Africa, but can be found on farms around the world. Guinea fowls were introduced to America 16 years after Christopher Columbus landed. Even then, they became popular farm fowls, until chickens and turkeys rolled around. However, they are still found on small farms. They are big insect eaters, so they help protect the livestock from ticks, slugs and other parasites.
5. Yak
The yak is one of the most useful animals in Central Asia. From its fur to its meat to being used for transportation, many farmers would not be able to function without them. The yak can be found in Tibet and parts of China and can survive in the Himalayas. Their horns are so large and strong that they can break through ice and dig beneath snow.
