musk ox farm
Palmer, AlasKa
Frequently Oxed Questions
We get it, working with musk oxen is a unique effort and we often find ourselves writing the book as we read it.
Here are some FAQs we often receive during public tours.
If your curiosity is unsatisfied, please come for a visit or email us your questions.
How do you pronounce that "Q" word? (qiviut)
Kiv'-ee-ute
we believe everyone should "give a hoot for qiviut"
Are musk oxen endangered?
Musk oxen are currently listed as a "protected species" following a successful reintroduction program downgrading them from "critically endangered".
Is musk ox meat edible?
Yes, in fact wild musk oxen can be hunted for subsistence in Alaska. We at the farm believe that meat is one-time while qiviut is a life-time. Meaning we only harvest qiviut from our residents.
Is qiviut itchy like sheep wool?
No! Musk oxen shed their undercoat every spring and we gather the qiviut by gently hand combing the oxen. This means the hair evenly tapers and has no harsh edges.
Do they like to be combed?
For those we comb, yes. We spend oxtraordinary amounts of time socializing each ox before we attempt to comb. Most of our residents are content to consume snacks while our farm staff combs. Others that are not yet socialized enough to our standards will shed their qiviut in their pasture and we will hand collect it from the grass.
How do you herd them?
We work with the musk ox, not against the musk ox. We utilize gentle husbandry to encourage forward movement of an individual or group of oxen towards the goal (barn or new pasture) by calmly walking behind the animals. If (and when) we get charged, we hold our ground until they turn around and we can continue forward. No dogs are used in herding, only humans.
What are musk oxen?
Musk oxen are large herbivorous mammals that live in circumpolar arctic regions. They have remained relatively unchanged since the last ice age.
How old can they live?
There is no definite lifespan known for wild musk oxen at this time. However the oxen at our farm typically live 15-18 years with our oldest surviving until 28 years old!
Is musk oil/perfume made from musk ox?
No, musk oxen don't have musk glands like musk deer. They are only really deserving of their name during rut season (male breeding season) which is in late summer.
Do they live outside year round?
Absolutely. They have incredible arctic adaptations that provide them with plenty of insulation and energy to charge through even the chilliest winter.
I'm allergic to lanolin from sheep wool, can I wear qiviut?
We have oxcellent news for you, musk oxen don't produce lanolin, so qiviut should be safe!
What do musk oxen on the farm eat?
That depends on the time of year!
Summer: pasture grass, browse*, and a supplemental feed.
Winter: hay, snow, dried browse* and supplemental feed
*browse is collected by farm staff and varies between willow leaves/twigs/buds, fireweed, dandelion flowers/leaves, birch leaves/twigs, and aspen leaves
What is a musk ox's main predator?
Wolves are the primary predators of musk oxen. Musk oxen have developed a strong and unique predator response to wolves and this is why no non-human animals are allowed on the farm.
