Get Up Close With Farm Animals at Tanners Orchard
There’s something special about watching kids meet farm animals for the first time. Whether it’s feeding a goat, petting a rabbit, or just standing there staring at the llamas, it’s one of those simple moments that your kids will remember.
At Tanners Orchard, our farm animal area is a place where families can slow down a bit. Let your kids explore, interact, and enjoy being up close with animals they don’t usually get to see. All the while, be sure to get plenty of pictures!
You’ll find goats, llamas, rabbits, chickens, and more, all in a space that’s easy to walk through and fun to spend time in.
What Makes the Farm Animal Experience So Special
The farm animals at Tanners Orchard aren’t just something to look at—you can feed them, pet them, and spend time right up close. It’s not every day you get to see animals at the farm, let alone be a part of the action!
- Up-Close Interaction – Kids and adults alike can get right up to the animals, making it a hands-on experience instead of just observing from a distance. It’s one thing to see animals—it’s another to actually be part of it.
- Open, Walkable Space – The layout makes it easy to move through at your own pace. You’re not being rushed along, so you can stop, watch, and spend time where it matters most.
- Feeding Stations Available – Quarter feeders are placed throughout the area, making it easy to grab some feed and interact with the animals right away.
- The Billy Goat Bridge & Tree House – One of the most fun things to watch is the goats climbing up the bridge and making their way across rooftops and into their tree house. It’s something kids and parents tend to stand and watch for a while.
- A Variety of Animals – From goats and llamas to rabbits and chickens, there’s always something new to see as you move through the area.
- A Favorite for Kids – For many families, this ends up being one of the most memorable parts of the visit. It’s simple, but the farm animals are just so cute, you can’t not love them!
Feed, Pet & Explore at Your Own Pace
The best part of the farm animal experience is how easy it is to jump right in. There’s no complicated process—just walk up, grab some feed, and start interacting.
Feed the AnimalsGrab some feed from the quarter feeders and offer it to the animals through the fenced areas. It’s one of the easiest ways to get kids involved right away.
Pet and InteractMany of the animals are used to visitors and comfortable being around people, which makes the experience feel natural.
Move Through the Area Freely There’s no set path—you can explore at your own pace, circle back, or spend extra time at your favorite spots.
Help When You Need It Farm hands are nearby if you have questions or need a little guidance, which helps make the experience feel easy and comfortable.
Meet the Animals at Tanners Orchard
As you walk through the farm animal area, you’ll come across a mix of animals, each with their own personality. Some are always on the move, others are a little more laid back, but all of them add something to the experience.
Goats
Always on the move, climbing, jumping, and looking for snacks. Be sure to watch them make their way across the Billy Goat Bridge.
Llamas
Calm and curious, often watching everything going on around them. They tend to hang back a bit, but don’t be fooled; they always have their eye on you!
Rabbits
From floppy ears to short ears, some small enough to fit in your cupped hands and others as big as a full-grown cat, rabbits come in all shapes and sizes—and kids always seem to be drawn right to them.
Chickens
Always active and full of personality, moving around the coop and clucking about. There’s always something happening when you stop and watch for a minute.
Weekend Fun: Keep an Eye Out for Unicorns
If you happen to visit on a weekend between August and October, you might come across one of the most rare “animals” on the farm.
Unicorns make their appearance on weekends during this time, and while they may be a bit elusive, they’re all part of the fun.
They’re always born under rainbows, closely related to horses and narwhals, and—if you’re lucky—you might just catch a glimpse.
Fun Facts About Our Farm Animals
As you explore, you might learn a few interesting things about the animals along the way.
Goats
- Goats use straw to scratch their backs.
- Goats are extremely picky about what they eat.
- Goats are great swimmers.
- A goat makes an estimated 40,000 to 60,000 jaw movements per day.
- An average goat will consume 490 pounds of hay during a typical 90-day winter.
Rabbits
- A rabbit’s teeth never stop growing.
- Rabbits can purr similar to a cat.
- A 4-pound rabbit will drink as much water as a 20-pound dog.
- Rabbits can jump 36 inches or higher.
- A group of rabbits is called a herd.
Llamas
- Llamas are members of the camel family.
- Llamas are smart and easy to train.
- Llamas live to be about 20 years old.
- Llamas don’t bite—they spit when they’re agitated, but mostly at each other.
- Llamas are highly sociable herd animals.
Chickens
- There are more chickens in the world than any other bird species.
- A healthy chicken lays about 265 eggs each year.
- Chickens are related to the Tyrannosaurus Rex.
- Chickens have full color vision.
- Chickens cluck after they lay an egg.
More Farm Fun to Explore at Tanners Orchard
The farm animals are just one part of the Tanners Orchard experience. There’s plenty more to explore during your visit.
You can also explore all available activities on our main Farm Attractions & Activities page, check out our Farm Market & Bakery for fresh treats, or start planning your visit with details on hours, directions, and pricing and options for groups & parties.
Farm Animals FAQs
Absolutely! Feeding stations are set up throughout the area, making it easy for kids to safely feed the animals. It’s one of the first things most kids want to do when they get there.
You’ll find goats, llamas, rabbits, chickens, and sometimes even baby animals depending on the time of year. There’s a good mix, so there’s always something to stop and look at.
Yes—it’s designed with families in mind. The layout is easy to move through, and farm hands are nearby if you need help or have questions.
Yes—there are farm hands around the area who can help guide you, answer questions, or just make sure everything is running smoothly.
The farm animals are part of the regular attraction experience, so you can visit them during normal operating hours and spend as much time there as you’d like.
Plan Your Visit to See the Farm Animals
Ready to get up close with the animals and enjoy one of the most memorable parts of your visit? Whether it’s your first time or something your family looks forward to every year, the farm animals at Tanners Orchard are worth the stop.
Call 309-493-5442 to learn more or view hours, directions, and pricing. Or plan your visit to 740 IL-40, Speer, IL 61479 and enjoy a day on the farm with your family.