I recently visited Branchton Farms, and honestly, I left feeling extremely disappointed and upset…read more I am not normally someone who leaves negative reviews, but what I witnessed here needs to be addressed and heard.
The overall condition of the facility was extremely run-down, and more importantly, the condition of some of the animals was deeply concerning. As someone who has raised and cared for farm animals my entire life, I know what proper care, housing, cleanliness, and basic husbandry should look like--and what I saw was absolutely not it.
One situation in particular really upset me. There was a large Brahman heifer being kept in an EXTREMELY small pen--so small that she could barely do anything more than turn around. Yes, the pen opened into a larger "paddock," but the entire area was extremely thick and deep with mud. I understand that Florida gets a tremendous amount of rain, but that does not excuse leaving an animal standing in those conditions. At the very least, the area should be maintained and the mud managed when possible. Keeping cattle in constantly wet, muddy conditions can contribute to serious hoof rot problems.
What concerned me even more was the condition of this heifer herself. Her rear hocks appeared extremely swollen, and she seemed uncomfortable and painful when moving. She also appeared to have an open, bleeding area behind one of her front legs. I do not know what caused the injury, but seeing an animal in that condition without knowing whether it was being treated was extremely upsetting.
And unfortunately, this was not the only issue. The water in what appeared to be roughly 90% of the animal pens was BLACK, dirty, and full of mud. Clean drinking water is one of the absolute most basic necessities for any animal. Dumping a trough, washing it out, and refilling it takes only a few minutes. There is simply no reason animals should be expected to drink filthy, muddy water.
I also did not see fans available for the animals, which is especially concerning given Florida's extreme heat and humidity.
I am not writing this review to be hateful or dramatic. I am writing it because I genuinely care about animals, and it was heartbreaking to see them in these conditions. These animals depend entirely on the people responsible for them to provide clean water, appropriate housing, proper medical attention, and basic care.
I sincerely hope Branchton Farms takes these concerns seriously and makes immediate improvements to the care and living conditions of these animals. They deserve MUCH better.
I hate leaving a review like this, but staying quiet when something is clearly wrong would bother me even more. Please take care of these animals and give them the care they deserve.
