Animals-pets
The Country Smallholder
Geese for your garden or orchard
There are many reasons for wanting to keep geese - but there are geese for all reasons. Find out which is the one for you!
3 min |
February 2026
The Country Smallholder
Farming thoughts as the smallholding carries on
Agricultural journalist, and machinery writer Jane Brooks, joins us for her regular look at the world.
4 min |
February 2026
The Country Smallholder
Dutch beauty - the Welsummer, famous for plumage colour and terracotta coloured eggs
Victoria Roberts BVSC MRCVS looks at a breed that has been kept by royalty and finds a suitably regal bird with a fascinating history
3 min |
February 2026
The Country Smallholder
How and why eggs vary in size
Paul Donovan investigates the factors influencing the size of a chicken's egg and finds some surprising influences that cause variations
8 min |
February 2026
The Country Smallholder
Newark hosts 10,000 vintage tractor and heritage machinery enthusiasts
Around 10,000 people turned out to celebrate the history of farm machinery and implements through the ages at this year's Newark Vintage Tractor and Heritage Show, held under bright skies at Newark Showground. The two-day event once again proved why it remains one of the highlights of the vintage calendar, with visitors travelling from across the UK - some from more than 400 miles away - to share in a weekend that mixed nostalgia, engineering excellence and community spirit. Exhibits spanned everything from pre-First World War tractors and classic combines to potato handling equipment, steam engines and restored diggers, with every era of British farming represented. One of the standout attractions was the spectacular Caterpillar display, where 89 exhibits ranging from the smallest crawlers to the largest dozers filled the showground. There was incredible history on the stand, including a Holt 75 manufactured during the First World War and presented in pristine condition. The biggest of all, a mighty D10, towered above the crowd and drew constant attention from visitors.
2 min |
February 2026
The Country Smallholder
Then, Now... and Into the Future
Farming and smallholding practices have altered over the past century or so. Some have been subtle, others less so and many brought about by technology and legislation. In the last of the series, Jeremy Hobson continues to outline just a few of them.
2 min |
February 2026
The Country Smallholder
In the forest garden
Adrian Thomas visits a garden in Somerset that's an inspiring mix of food growing, sustainability and wildlife
4 min |
February 2026
The Country Smallholder
Tis the season for Seville oranges time to make marmalade
Henrietta Balcon looks forward to spring with the breakfast favourite
2 min |
February 2026
The Country Smallholder
Track and Trace
John Sones looks at changes concerning livestock welfare measures and available funding
3 min |
February 2026
The Country Smallholder
Massive win for animal welfare as new vet-backed law set to clamp down on puppy smuggling
After a long and sustained campaign by British Veterinary Association, the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill has received Royal Assent to become law.
2 min |
February 2026
The Country Smallholder
New action plan to save endangered island goats
Helen Babbs reports from an innovative gathering in Guernsey
2 min |
February 2026
The Country Smallholder
Caring for Chicks Once They Have Hatched
If you are thinking of incubating eggs for the very first time, it's just as important to consider what happens next. Fiona and Hugh Osborne talk you through what to plan for.
8 min |
February 2026
The Country Smallholder
Treats, Toys & Winter Joys
With the days still short and the weather often dreary, February can leave even the most spirited bantam feeling a little bored.
3 min |
February 2026
The Country Smallholder
What's new and what is of benefit to smallholders?
We’ve looked around the products and found useful suggestions. But if you have a piece of equipment that you wouldn’t be without, new or old, we’d love to hear from you
2 min |
February 2026
The Country Smallholder
Pecking order: how to get rescue-ready for spring rehomings
By February, we're all itching for the first subtle signs of spring
5 min |
February 2026
The Country Smallholder
Devon Closewool sheep -this rare breed could be your starter flock
Helen Babbs finds out about these sturdy, weather-proof sheep
5 min |
February 2026
The Country Smallholder
Planning your 2026 breeding pens
Grant Brereton says a bit of forethought can pay dividends - what you need to consider
6 min |
February 2026
The Country Smallholder
Working Tractor, Happy Smallholding
Siromer say that simple habits will help to keep your tractor earning its keep this winter – here are seven essential jobs
5 min |
February 2026
The Country Smallholder
Feeding ewes before and after lambing
Sarah Day, nutritionist at Small Holder Feed, explains how clear planning and steady feeding can support healthy births, thriving lambs and productive ewes throughout the season
4 min |
February 2026
The Country Smallholder
2026 Soil Farmer of the Year competition opens for entries
Applications from all types of farm businesses including those with small acreages
2 min |
February 2026
The Country Smallholder
Feathered Flatmates
When a pair of chicks came indoors before the first Covid lockdown, veterinary student Lizzay Slaney never imagined they'd lead to a household of house chickens. At 20, she and her family in south-east London now share their home with Silkies and mixed bantams.
4 min |
February 2026
The Country Smallholder
Ride a White Horse to Wiltshire.....
Sue Field looks for properties to fulfill your dream way of life
1 min |
February 2026
The Country Smallholder
A new breed of workhorse ATVs has arrived
ATVs have become synonymous as the workhorse vehicle son smallholdings as they play a vital role in helping users efficiently complete day-to-day tasks on site.
1 min |
February 2026
The Country Smallholder
Help to protect dormice!
English Woodlands explain what you need to make your smallholding Dormouse friendly
5 min |
February 2026
The Country Smallholder
Time to get out and about in February at farming events
Shows that will help you choose machinery and equipment for the year ahead both old and new. Get out there and enjoy a day out with farming friends while finding out about new trends and innovations
3 min |
February 2026
The Country Smallholder
Vital milestone as livestock worrying bill passes through Parliament
New law will give police more powers to protect animals
3 min |
February 2026
The Country Smallholder
The Horse Lovers Miscellany, Wit, Wisdom and Wonders (with donkeys too!)
The joy of all creatures equine and the people who love them gathered into a delightful dip into book with constant surprises
3 min |
February 2026
The Country Smallholder
Considerations in castrating of young goats
Matt Huggins discusses the options and explains why they favour one method over another for their herd
3 min |
February 2026
The Country Smallholder
Do more features make for a better incubator?
When first starting out, the range of features on offer for poultry incubators can be bewildering. Hugh & Fiona Osborne are chicken breeders and have used and sold poultry incubators for many years. They firmly believe that incubation doesn't have to be complicated, but that some features will certainly save time and others will improve hatch rates.
7 min |
February 2026
The Country Smallholder
How farmers and researchers work together to improve the health of the river and reverse the decline in salmon.
The annual counting and tagging of juvenile wild Atlantic salmon on the River Frome in Dorset has shown a dramatic decline in numbers of fish being captured for a second year in succession, indicating a worrying downward trend which is reflected across the UK and Europe.
4 min |