Livestock and Care

Rancho Los Alamitos is home to a variety of livestock representative of the early 20th century ranching era in Long Beach, CA. Currently animals such as horses, goats, sheep, mules, donkeys, rabbits, ducks, and chickens demonstrate the type of working animals which Fred Bixby (owner) kept at the ranch when he inherited the land his dad John purchased in 1881. Today every animal is greatly respected for their usefulness around the ranch, and as they get adopted, you will see new members of our menagerie each time you come to visit our loving ranch.

We are deeply appreciative of our collaboration with the non-profit organization Shoestring City Ranch. This partnership allows us to provide a safe haven for animals that require additional care or have been evacuated from perilous dangerous situations. Through our joint efforts, we ensure these animals receive the support and attention they need to thrive.

Donkey grazing

Baby Goats

Shire Horse and American Paint Horse

Our one full time resident at Rancho Los Alamitos Ranch is beloved Preston, a draft shire horse.

The Shire is a British breed of draught horse. It is usually black, bay(reddish-brown), or grey. It is a tall breed, and Shires have at various times held world records both for the largest horse and for the tallest horse. The Shire has a great capacity for weight-pulling; it was used for farm work by the Bixbys. Today, Shire horses are not bred often due to several factors, including:

• With the advent of machinery and technology, the decline in demand for heavy draft horses in modern agriculture and transportation.
• Maintaining and breeding such large animals can be costly and requires substantial resources, which further contributes to their reduced breeding.
• Efforts are being made by enthusiasts and conservation groups to preserve this majestic breed, but their numbers remain relatively low compared to their historical peak.

We kindly ask that you look but don't touch or feed any of our precious livestock.

Livestock volunteer opportunities are available; please contact Karen Thompson (562) 818-7930 to learn more.