How to Go
What: Idle-hour Ranch Animals/African Safari Maze
Where: Troy (three miles west of city), 4845 Fenner Road
When: Noon to 6 p.m., Friday, Saturday and Sunday through October
Cost: $10 adults, $7 children (3-12)
More Info: (937) 339-9731, www.idle-hourranch.com
Where can you go to see 200 animals that cover 45 species without visiting a big-city zoo?
The Idle-hour Ranch in Troy has Sam the Giraffe, Jonas the Gamel, Laverne the Goat, and Peaches the Moluccan Cockatoo. You can get right up to Sam’s level on a special observation deck and watch Peaches dance to his favorite cellphone music. Oreo, a baby lamb, was born this past Aug. 14.
The entire ranch cast of characters includes: reindeer, kangaroos, wallabies, llamas, alpacas, sheep, goats, Patagonian cavies, skunk, hybrid wolf dogs, emu, rheas, guinea birds, peacocks, chicks, ducks, rabbits, doves, pigeons, kinkajou, anteater, prairie dog, zebu cattle, Scottish highlander cows, donkeys, yaks, elk, camels, horses, miniature dwarf horses, fallow deer, antelope, tortoise, river otters and pot-bellied pigs.
“Caring for these animals is 24/7, 365, and we get no vacation. But we absolutely love it,” said Michelle Iddings, who manages the ranch with her husband, Brian, and daughter, Brittany.
The ranch has a Safari-themed corn maze with 22 scavenger hunt stations where you get answers to questions about Africa.
“We like to say it’s amazing, pun intended,” said M. Iddings. “The guests love it, and say it’s a fun way to get an education.”
The ranch also has hot dogs, popcorn, pop and a mini-farm market/gift shop to browse. The ranch has continued to grow since 1999, when it started out as a live animal service to local churches for live Nativity scenes and Easter plays.
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