The Property
Sweet Acres is the home of Kirsten and Matt. It is a rural property consisting of 1.5 acres, their single-family home, and three outbuildings.
There is no barn so the potbelly pens have been built at the back of the house by Matt. There are three pens in total, and one more will soon be in the works. In each pen is an insulated shed that Matt has built which shelters the pigs from the hot sun in the summer, and the cold winds in the winter. In the colder months, the pigs huddle together, in straw, and produce body heat to keep themselves warm. They are acclimated to the winter weather but nonetheless, heat lamps have been put in the shelters and hydro has been run to them as well. This is so that lights can be left on during the day to simulate sunlight.
There is a grand old willow tree in the middle of the yard, which provides lovely shade on a hot sunny day. This majestic willow is over 150 years old and is a perfect backdrop for photos should you wish to take some. You can often find the pigs grazing under the soft fronds, so your pics can be snapped with them by your side.
Please keep in mind:
If you would like to feed the pigs and wish to bring some food with you, may we ask that it be healthy options such as lettuce, cucumbers, watermelon, berries. We are working hard to keep their waistlines trim.
Please be mindful to watch your step while at Sweet Acres! Some of the older trees on the property have exposed roots and could be a tripping hazard. As well, while we make every effort to quickly pick up after the pigs, they are wandering freely and may leave a trail of droppings. For this reason, proper footwear (ie runners or boots) are advised. Flips flops and open-toed sandals are not recommended.
House Rules:
Please be sure to use hand sanitizer once you enter the gates. While we are outdoors and do not require the public to wear masks (you are more than welcome to do so!) many hands are touching surfaces around the property. We are unable to wipe these areas regularly, so using sanitizer as you enter helps to keep everyone safe.
Please refrain from chasing after the pigs or moving too quickly toward them. All are very friendly but can startle easily. As a prey animals, they respond to what they think is a threatening situation, by squealing and running. They don’t always make the best choices, and instead of running away, they could knock you over by running toward you. They’re not aggressive, just scared and confused. but their size could knock a small child over. It is recommended that children two and under be held by a guardian at all times for this reason.
We want everyone to enjoy their stay at Sweet Acres and offer our thanks in advance for recognizing the importance of these suggestions.