Farm animals
During the summer, farm animals can be seen at the museum, where grazing plays a vital role in maintaining Kylämäki’s valuable traditional landscape. The museum also reflects life in the 1950s in terms of its animals, keeping only those known to have been present in the village at that time. The animals roam freely across the extensive grazing areas, enhancing the traditional rural scenery of Kylämäki.
All the farm animals at Kylämäki are owned and cared for by a private keeper, who is responsible for their welfare.
The animals arrive in spring
The cows and sheep arrive at Kylämäki Village in spring or early summer. Follow this page and our social media for more information.
Remember!
Let’s all work together to ensure the animals in Kylämäkii Village are well cared for.
The role of sheep and cows in the Village
The sheep and cows of Kylämäki Village play a vital role in maintaining the area’s traditional biotope by grazing the pastures. Once they have finished one area, they move on to the next. You can always check their current location at the museum information desk!
Why mustn’t the animals be fed?
For the preservation of the traditional biotope and the animals’ welfare, feeding them extra food is not allowed.
Preserving the traditional biotope
If visitors feed the animals through the fence, the animals may ignore the natural pasture plants. Additionally, food brought in from home gardens can disrupt the carefully maintained 1950s plant species protected by the museum.
Animal welfare
Animals’ digestive systems differ from ours, and the wrong food—or even too much of the right food—can make them seriously ill. Sheep, in particular, are highly sensitive to dietary changes. Bread and sugary treats can cause pain and, in some cases, even be fatal.
With hundreds of visitors at the museum each day, even small treats can quickly add up to harmful amounts. The best way to make the animals happy is to simply let them graze—it’s their favourite thing to do!
Keep dogs on a lead in Kylämäki
Pastures are strictly for the grazing animals. Please do not let dogs or other animals enter the pastures, and do not enter yourself.
The entire Kylämäki area is a heritage site, so dogs must be kept on a lead at all times.