Mini pig breeder shares passion with the world

By Thomas Clapper

CCM Reporter

Autumn Whitacre of Autumn Acres Mini Pigs in Minerva has always loved pigs and turned her love into a business network including mini pig breeding, training and the no. 2 pig podcast worldwide.

Always loving pigs, Autumn saw a little pig at a pet store in Louisville in 2004 and purchased little Oscar. Oscar sadly only lived until he was two and a half years old due to inbreeding.

Throughout the years she has rescued pigs and it wasn’t until 2015 when she decided to breed mini pigs for pets.

“In 2015, my husband Nick and I were building our house and my father-in-law suggested that I do something I love and what I love are pigs,” said Autumn. “I found a mentor because I didn’t know anything about breeding them and had my first litter in 2017. Not only did I learn so much, but I love pigs and enjoy what I do every day. It is a lot of work, but it is worth it.”

Autumn said they usually have between four to six piglets on average but sometimes more. She said they are so cute and their “super power” is making people smile.

“I learned a lot of people who are breeding pigs are giving misinformation,” said Autumn. “I bought into the teacup or micro mini pigs. They do not exist; they do not stay tiny. Bad breeders either have smaller pigs through inbreeding or starving them and they never live long.”

She explained pigs are not capable of knowing when their stomachs are full and will continue to eat. Their brains do not tell them they are full like a human does. That is why fair hogs can become massive and starving them can make them small (but unhealthy) for an example of both sides of the feeding spectrum.  

“When you think of a dog breed, there is a breed standard so you know approximately how big it will get,” said Autumn. “There are no pig breeds that can produce a mini pig. It is not a breed. Any pig under 300 pounds is technically considered a mini pig but it is a deceiving term. A lot of it is genetics and a lot of diet and exercise.”

Autumn strives for smaller parents so the pigs can be small but healthy. Gottingen pigs are what she uses to breed as they are the smallest pig breed.

She said pigs are super intelligent which is why they are not an easy pet to have. Most people think they are like having a dog, but this is not the case at all, according to Autumn. 

“They learn very quickly to manipulate people,” said Autumn. “If they squeal and you give them food, they just squeal all the time because they learn that squealing got them food.” 

When piglets are born they are feral and born with needle teeth and they are afraid of everything. Their eyes and ears are already open as well. She explained the reason for this is because pigs are prey animals, so they naturally do this. 

Males grow four tusks that need trimmed, but they have blood flow. Females have one tusk with no blood flow so they can be cut shorter.

Mother pigs feed and discipline piglets and they are strict. If a piglet irritates the mother, she will hit them with her head or use her head and flip them in the air. They take five years to grow physically to adulthood. They are very strong physically, and their sense of smell is their foremost feature.

“Piglets need boundaries and strong discipline from their mothers,” said Autumn. “When I breed them, they stay with her for a full 7 weeks then wean them off, less hours every day with them.”

Autumn also potty trains piglets from birth and they are raised in the house around a litterbox. She said they be pretty much completely potty trained in two weeks until 8 months to a year when they won’t want to use a litterbox anymore and would prefer to go outside.

Autumn also trains, boards, has consultations on Zoom and has classes to teach people about pigs. She has created courses, webinars and guide groups with people from all around the world.

“People bring me pigs and I can train them to behave,” said Autumn. “I have classes that teach people to have pigs as a pet. They are not like dogs and more like a perpetual toddler.”

Autumn wanted to go beyond breeding and selling by offering advice and entertainment in the form of a podcast and a YouTube channel. 

“I do love the pigs so much I wanted to be a voice for the pigs,” said Autumn. “I have the number 2 biggest pig podcast in the world called ‘The Pet Pig Podcast’ and a YouTube Channel called Autumn Acres Mini Pet Pigs.”

Autumn has four litters per year and the piglets are all trained before being sold. All piglets are spayed, neutered, dewormed, microchipped, are bite corrected, litterbox trained, crate trained  and harness trained. Each is taught to spin in a circle as well.

“My piglets are expensive and there is a reason for that,” said Autumn. “You have to know what you are getting, and I have found that people who are serious and willing to pay are most likely to care for and keep the pig.”

There is an application process to begin with the purchasing of a piglet. This application asks several questions about the household to see if a pig would be a good fit. Piglets can cost approximately $2,500 each. 

“I don’t want someone who wants a piglet then to just give it away when it gets older,” said Autumn. “People want them while they are little, but then they start to grow, and they don’t want them anymore. That is why it is important to know what you are getting and to educate yourself on pigs. Some might think these questions are invasive, but I am not going to sell one of my piglets to just anybody. Anyone who has a pig and can’t keep it, I want it back and don’t want it sold somewhere where it won’t be cared for. This is part of a promise made when applying for one of my piglets.”

She names the piglets usually with a theme, but new owners can rename them, and they learn their new names in two days. There are no refunds on pigs and Autumn Acres does not ship piglets. All piglets have to be picked up on location. 

Mini pigs may live 15 to 18 years if they are healthy and not overweight.

Autumn was married in 2003 to Nick Whitacre and they have two sons, Preston and J.P. who also help out with the pigs and other animals. 

Autumn Acres Mini Pigs is located on Liberty Church St. in Minerva.

For more information see autumnacresminipetpigs.com which has a variety of information including blogs, links to the podcast and YouTube channel.