THE FARM 

Hi, nice that you’re stopping by!

 

Did you know that…

… you are always welcome at the farm?
Address: Heibloem 11 in Nistelrode (a 10-minute walk from The Forest). You can walk onto the yard along the (dark brown) wooden barn. Then you’ll see the animals.

… you may go inside the rabbit and guinea pig enclosures, pick them up, and cuddle them?

… you can take Bobbie and Billie for a walk? You’ll find instructions below.

… you can get fresh, organic eggs from the chicken cart every day (for a small fee)?

… you can read more stories about the farm below?

Address: Heibloem 11, Nistelrode

Walking with Bobbie and Billie!

Bobbie and Billie are our two sweet Shetland ponies. Would you like to take them for a walk? You can! Here’s how it works.

Take the lead rope hanging on the fence and, together with your mum or dad, calmly walk into the field. Gently approach the two small Shetlands and clip the rope to their halter.

Important: with ponies, it’s very important that you never walk behind them. Always stay next to their head.

Now the adventure can begin! You may walk with Bobbie and Billie to the end of the street or onto the dirt path (but not on the main road).

When you’re finished, unclip the rope and calmly put them back in the field. Very important: do not leave the rope on them, as that can be dangerous.

Oh, and one more thing: you’re not allowed to ride the ponies — just enjoy walking with them. Have fun!

 

Welcome to our rabbit boarding house!

We have a colourful group of lovely rabbits from all sorts of places. They love attention and are a joy to watch. But of course, they’re still animals – so here are some fun facts and a few important tips:

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🐇 1. Rabbits can purr
Just like cats, they make a soft, gentle sound when they’re happy. You’ll hear them quietly grinding their teeth – a sign of pure relaxation.

🐇 2. Super jumpers
A rabbit can jump over 1 metre high and as far as 3 metres! They’re faster and sportier than you might think.

🐇 3. Always gnawing
Their teeth grow all their lives (up to 12 cm a year!). That’s why they always need something to chew on – like hay or willow branches.

🐇 4. They love being clean
Rabbits groom themselves several times a day. You’ll see them rubbing their little front paws over their face – too cute.

🐇 5. Ears like antennas
Their ears can move independently, so they can listen in two directions at once. Super handy if there’s danger nearby!

🐇 6. Happy binkies
A happy rabbit suddenly jumps in the air, twists, and lands playfully – that’s called a “binky.” Such a joy to watch!

🐇 7. They love company
Rabbits are social animals. They don’t like being alone – that’s why you’ll often see them here cuddling, playing, or relaxing together.

💡 Important tip:

🥕 Carrots are tasty, but…
Be careful when feeding. Rabbits love a carrot, but they might accidentally mistake your fingers for a treat. That’s why it’s better not to feed them directly from your hand.

🌱 Not everything is edible!
The plants around the animal enclosures are not meant for the rabbits and can be poisonous. So only feed them approved snacks or ask us for advice.

 

Meet the happiest, most curious, and most relaxed residents of our farm: the pigs Lou Lou (dark grey), Poppy (spotted), and Willow (white)! With their inquisitive snouts, friendly grunts, and love for mud baths, they bring a smile to our faces every single day.

Lou Lou loves attention, a good ear scratch, and of course, a fresh snack now and then. Important: always give snacks on the ground and not from your hand – this keeps things safe and stress-free for both humans and pigs.

You’ll often find this cheerful trio lazing in the sun or enthusiastically rooting in the soil, always looking for something tasty or just some company. Coming by? There’s a good chance they’ll curiously wander over to you (especially if you’ve got something to eat 😉).

Our pigs remind us how wonderful it is to slow down in life – to enjoy the sun, take a nap in the straw, and appreciate the simple things around you. They truly complete the farm.

 

On the farm, the chickens from GeluksVogel live in a mobile chicken cart, giving them constant access to fresh grass and a natural environment. The idea began in 2017, when Yvonne set out to find a way of keeping chickens that would make both the hens and the farmer feel like true “lucky birds.”

In 2018, the first chicken cart was proudly presented at the Bio Trade Fair in Zwolle. Since then, GeluksVogel has grown into a group of organic farmers, each keeping 249 chickens — 244 hens and 5 roosters. The roosters also have an important role in the story: they live together in a mobile rooster cart, as the “brothers” of the laying hens.

The eggs are packed by hand in their own packing station and delivered to wholesalers, always accompanied by a transparent and honest story.

At the farm, guests are welcome to collect their own organic eggs straight from the chicken cart. You can choose between two carts: one with a button that gently rolls the eggs towards you (instructions can be found inside the cart) and one with nesting boxes on the outside. Payment can be made via the QR code inside the cart, at €0.50 per fresh egg.

Welcome to the chicken cart!

We have a cheerful group of happy hens, each with their own personality. They love to scratch around, are curious, and great fun to watch. Here are a few fun facts:

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🐓 Hens rule the roost – There’s always a queen hen who gets to eat first. The others have to wait their turn… or sneak in for a quick bite.

🐓 They know your face – You can’t fool them: chickens know exactly who you are. If you often bring treats, you’ll be their favourite.

🐓 Chatterboxes – Mother hens talk to their chicks even while they’re still in the egg. It sounds a bit like, “Good morning, I’m your mum!”

🐓 Sunbathing, chicken style – Chickens don’t take showers, they take dust baths! They roll in the dirt and look very proud afterwards.

🐓 Dreamy ladies – In their sleep, they sometimes make little noises. Who knows, maybe they’re dreaming of a mountain of corn or an endless string of worms.

80 solar panels

Did you know that the chickens sometimes walk around under the solar panels to protect them from buzzards? These 80 solar panels generate energy for The Forest and The Farm. We also have a battery that stores the energy. This way, we try to make the farm as sustainable as possible in various ways.

A double purpose!