There are many commercial operations where children meet various animals and maybe even pet one or two if they stick their heads through the bars that separate them from the children.
They also often have mechanical dispensers that allow you to purchase one or two tablespoons of food for the animals at a time. Limited animal numbers and animal/bird types, with limited access.
Wild Things is EXACTLY the opposite of all this:
The total number of animals and/or birds locked up or inaccessible to the children is zero.
Norman, the owner, has a very extensive family of animal and bird friends and he loves to share them with the children who come to visit.
$8.00 per person is the admission price and for that you get unlimited access to chicks from several breeds of chickens, geese, ducks, pigeons and turkeys. Can you pet them? Of course you can. Can you pet chicks, and even pick them up chicks and hold them in your hand? Yes, of course you can. Can you feed any of them? Yes, of course you can. In fact, all of them. You are encouraged to feed any of the animals. Unlimited food is available ....all of it at no extra charge.
As soon as you exit your vehicle in the parking lot will be met by several breeds of goats, ranging from dwarfs to full -size, and maybe a small cow. Chickens and ducks will surround you as you walk most places, from the parking lot onward. Turkeys and geese mostly stay near the barns or the pond.
The geese may be a bit stand-offish, depending on their mood, but they will also wait to be touched. The rabbits, which range from white/black through milk chocolate and all the way to full black LOVE to be held and cuddled.. An occasional chipmunk may join in..
In the 120 year-old barn adults can see and appreciate how the wood was cut and fitted by hand in the nineteenth century: wood pins hold it together, not metal nails.
Head back to the corner of the barn and you will find some zip-lines for the children to enjoy. and liberal hay on the floor to protect them in case they fall off. A fifty-year old black walnut stands outside, with bird houses across it, and ropes to swing from, while rope hammocks await nearby for those that get tired.
Is it all perfect? Not quite: there are no washrooms with running water. Just the old-style wood privvies, with hand-wash lotions outside..
Is a visit worthwhile? It is beyond any expectation. I have not even heard of anything that delivers this much, at any price, anywhere. Children and adults will be treated to an enjoyment that cannot be found in any commercial farm or zoo anywhere in the GTA, perhaps even all of Ontario..
For kids, .this is several dreams come true, all at the same time.
Oh yes, Parking is free, too. read more