about pigs
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Bramble and Penny are American Mini Pigs, but the official size classification for “mini pig” just means less than 300 lbs without being overweight. The smallest full grown healthy mini pigs are usually around 80-100 lbs. This is definitely “mini” compared to full size pigs which can reach 1,000 lbs. Teacup pigs, micro pigs, pixie pigs, etc do not exist. Pigs continue to grow until they are about 5 years old, so we have quite a while before we know how big our piglets will get. Their parents were both less than 2 years old, so we really don’t know how big Bramble and Penny will end up! We are enjoying watching them grow and seeing how this little mystery plays out!oes here
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Yes and no. They are like dogs in that they are very social, highly trainable, form deep bonds to their families, and wag their tails when happy or excited. However, there are a lot of big differences. Unlike dogs, pigs are herd and prey animals and so they approach the world a lot differently. Pigs are very hierarchical and will regularly test their place in the herd. Unlike dogs, pigs are not eager to please. While they enjoy praise, they want to know what is in it for them, usually a tasty treat. Pigs do not play the same way dogs do, and generally enjoy activities like rooting outside, rather than chasing balls or tug of war. Pigs are also a bit more emotional than dogs. Usually, pig owners say they are more like a toddler than a puppy.
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Sometimes it seems like they might try to eat anything, but no. They have preferences and can even be quite picky. Our pigs eat a complete mini pig feed and also enjoy lots of fresh veggies and occasional fruit. We use Cheerios and plain popcorn for training. They love to graze on grass as well. They would happily steal any snacks, dog food, cat food, chips, cookies, etc, but we try to keep that from happening for their health. Penny is more picky than Bramble and flat out refuses to eat bell peppers or green beans, although she has been known to chow down on crayons. Both of them absolutely detest radishes. When we give them “piggy salads” we often see that they will pick out their favorite bits first and leave their least favorite for last. They will always eat squash and cucumber before touching their greens or celery. Pigs don’t have the stomach-brain connection to let them know they are full like we do, so it’s up to us to make sure they stay healthy and fit.
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Pigs are very clean animals! They naturally avoid using the restroom where they sleep and eat, which makes them very easy to house train. Penny and Bramble have never pooped in the house at all even as baby piglets! They do not have sweat glands and so rely on mud and water to keep cool in the summer, plus they naturally root and dig in the ground, so they certainly can get dirty, but well kept pigs do not stink. Our dogs are often smellier after a day outside. In fact, some pigs have a genetic mutation that causes them to naturally smell like maple syrup! Bramble has a very distinct sweet, earthy smell that is very pleasant. While it isn’t quite a syrupy scent, I often wonder if he has a version of this gene. Also, pigs have hair, rather than fur, and do not shed continuously, which makes them hypoallergenic. While it is possible for someone to be allergic to pigs, it is very unusual. People who are allergic to dogs or cats usually have no issues around pigs.
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No! Pigs are not recognized by the ADA as service animals and even if they were, our pigs have not undergone the extensive, years long, training required of legitimate service animals. Therefore, they do not, nor should they, have the same access rights as service animals who are trained to perform specific tasks for people with a variety of disabilities. An emotional support animal also does not have special access rights, though some people are able to get special permissions or housing exceptions for their ESA’s when there is a well documented need. Our pigs fall into the category of therapy animals, meaning they can provide therapeutic services in a variety of settings when they are invited. For more information about the distinction between these different categories and how pigs can serve as therapy pets, please check out this article from the American Mini Pig Association: https://americanminipigassociation.com/owners/helpful-owner-articles/therapy-mini-pig/
about our services
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No! We respect your privacy and the photo release is voluntary, but appreciated.
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Our pigs are used to a variety of environments, various flooring, stairs and ramps. We have supplies to keep them comfortable and confident depending on the location. Our supplies include: rugs for slippery floors, shade canopy, fans, heated mats, etc. We will discuss what is needed for your space and determine the time needed to set up based on the environment and type of service. We do require that other animals, especially dogs, be put away or kept separate from the pigs. We appreciate when a reasonable effort is made to keep the area clear of extra food and snacks (i.e. check your kiddos pockets, or our pigs might sniff out some surprise treats!) We also prefer to be set up in relatively quiet areas away from loud music so that the pigs can hear us.
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Yes, we require a liability waiver standard for animal interactions.
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We serve Northwest Arkansas and charge $0.70 per mile from Bentonville, AR. If we are making multiple stops outside of NWA, the travel fee can be divided among events in that area.
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For individual events outside of the state of Arkansas we charge an additional fee to cover the permits required for interstate travel with livestock. Occasionally we are able to schedule several events in the same area and that cost can be waived. To be notified when we are coming to your state, please email us to be added to our list. If you just want to meet the pigs and are local or willing to travel to Northwest Arkansas, check out our calendar of public and community events coming up!
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At this time, we can only provide one pig per event. We may bring both Penny and Bramble to certain events with the understanding that one will be taking a break while the other is working. This way we can guarantee that the pigs are not being overwhelmed and keep everyone safe and comfortable. Keep in mind that they are still less than a year old and essentially are piglets. As they age and gain experience and confidence, we may reevaluate this policy. Certain exceptions may be made for very small groups on a case by case basis.
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Yes, we can provide documentation upon request.
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Yes, absolutely!
health and safety
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While there are no required vaccinations for pigs, we have gone ahead with giving them the vaccines recommended by our vet who is very experienced with mini pigs. This includes rabies, tetanus, and a combo vaccine for various respiratory illnesses. They see our vet for regular check ups and are very popular patients! We can provide their vaccination records and a health certificate upon request.
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While pigs are naturally clean animals, we also bathe them before events and clean / sanitize our equipment regularly, especially anything handled by clients. Pigs have hair, rather than fur, and do not shed and so are considered hypoallergenic. While it is possible for someone to be allergic to pigs, it is very unusual. Most people who have cat or dog allergies do not have an issue with pigs.
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We have worked really hard to socialize and train our pigs to make sure that they are comfortable, calm, and not in the habit of biting. We have assessed their temperament, and learned their moods and body language. As with any animal, there is always a risk, but we do everything in our power to minimize that risk. They know how to take treats gently, have experience with very small children and very excitable children, and are used to navigating crowds and meeting strangers. Bramble and Penny are very sweet, have been around humans since birth, and are not aggressive. We have never had an incident of biting while out in public. Out of an abundance of caution (and common sense) we carry first aid kits for both people and pigs.
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Yes! Our pigs are fully house trained and used to requesting to go outside. They have never pooped indoors. Until they are a year old, they don’t yet have complete control of their bladders, so until they are older, we require a 5 - 10 minute break every 30 minutes for indoor events to prevent accidents. We also carry cleaning supplies, just in case.