Animals-and-pets
The Country Smallholder
Are Sheep Really Stupid?
Wade Muggleton disagrees – and so will you when you find out why!
4 min |
February 2025
The Country Smallholder
Top honours and top price for Old English Game trio
A trio of home-bred Pyle Old English Game bantams from regular Co. Durham exhibitor Andrew Addison was the standout entry and reached one of the mart's highest poultry prices ever when they dazzled at CCM Skipton's Craven Feather Auctions Christmas show and sale.
2 min |
February 2025
The Country Smallholder
How to Buy a Smallholding in France- Long-time smallholder Lorraine Turnbull looks at the practicalities of moving to rural France
Aspiring smallholders are continually thwarted by the prices of smallholdings and property with land located within the UK. Even the humblest croft in Scotland comes with a substantial price tag and conditions which would make even an adventurous wannabee consider carefully. But all is not lost. For those willing to take the adventure of a lifetime, there is always Europe, and one of the most popular places is France.
6 min |
September 2024
The Country Smallholder
Meet the Bournemouth goats and their supporters
These capricious animals are hard workers preserving the natural habitat
3 min |
September 2024
The Country Smallholder
Still warm enough to sit outside with a Pizza
Henrietta Balcon uses fresh figs to create an unusual dish at Harvest time
2 min |
September 2024
The Country Smallholder
Goodbye to the birds of spring and summer
If you look and listen you might be able to see them preparing to leave says The RSPB
2 min |
September 2024
The Country Smallholder
Get ready for the colder weather in the warmth of late summer
Claire Waring advises on doing the best to make sure your colonies survive until next spring
6 min |
September 2024
The Country Smallholder
Preparing the Veg Patch for Winter
Lee Senior says, a well-run plot can excitingly continue to produce good quality, tasty, fresh food for much of winter
3 min |
September 2024
The Country Smallholder
Time to prepare to plant your orchard
Wade Muggleton, smallholder and author of The Orchard Book, shares his practical experience so you can create your own fruit collection
5 min |
September 2024
The Country Smallholder
Choosing feed for the autumn
As autumn approaches, Joanna Palmer, nutritionist at the Smallholder Range, offers advice on choosing the right feed to support your adult birds through their annual moult and ensure your young birds grow and finish well at this time of the year.
6 min |
September 2024
The Country Smallholder
Vet advice from an experienced poultry vet
Reflecting on how much the humble hen has helped people world wide plus advice on stopping the scourge of red mite
5 min |
September 2024
The Country Smallholder
Give your hens some support
Paul Donovan looks at the right and wrong ways of handling birds
9 min |
September 2024
The Country Smallholder
The wonderful world of poultry shows is in full swing
Time to have a go!’ says Grant Brereton who explains how to get the best from your first entry
6 min |
September 2024
The Country Smallholder
The Chicken Keepers Nightmare: Red Mite
If you ask chicken keepers what they dread most in terms of poultry pests most will say Red Mite. Fiona and Hugh Osborne have found that they can be treated and controlled with some simple steps.
6 min |
September 2024
The Country Smallholder
Wild in Campsea - NIMBYism at its best! (That's Nature In My Back Yard!!)
Sue Field finds out more about this community that Grows Together’
5 min |
September 2024
The Country Smallholder
Ruminations of a Yorkshire Vet
Julian Norton chooses an extract from his latest book
6 min |
September 2024
The Country Smallholder
Petite but perfectly formed
Rebecca Farner, Editor of Vineyard magazine, visits a small vineyard
8 min |
September 2024
The Country Smallholder
Where the City and the Country meet
Michael Wale finds out how farming works in a more urban environment
5 min |
September 2024
The Country Smallholder
What is American Foulbrood?
Claire Waring looks at the disease and its consequences.
2 min |
September 2024
The Country Smallholder
Miniature Jersey Cattle-the only two in the UK?
Sally Crozer hopes there will be more
3 min |
June 2024
The Country Smallholder
You can help protect baby birds this breeding season
The RSBP says you can help all nesters but particularly watch out for ground nesting birds many of which are under threat
2 min |
June 2024
The Country Smallholder
Smallholding profile: Pocket House Studio
Helen Babbs visits a thriving Hebridean croft and weaving studio
5 min |
June 2024
The Country Smallholder
Grow Your Own refreshing brews
Mel Thomas says there are so many possibilities from your own back garden
5 min |
June 2024
The Country Smallholder
Making the most of fresh eggs and summer fruit
Henrietta Balcon celebrates the season of abundance
2 min |
June 2024
The Country Smallholder
How to deal with Pests the Natural Way
Lee Senior says create a healthy predator-prey balance in your garden
6 min |
June 2024
The Country Smallholder
How to create a hen-friendly garden
The British Hen Welfare Trust share their top tips to strike a perfect balance.
5 min |
June 2024
The Country Smallholder
Do chickens really experience empathy?
This month, Paul Donovan turns his attention to the psychological side of poultry behaviour, and investigates whether hens sense empathy – a trait indicative of mammals.
8 min |
June 2024
The Country Smallholder
Care of the fleece begins at shearing time
Claire Boley gives a guide to sorting and storing a fleece so it’s in good condition for spinning
2 min |
June 2024
The Country Smallholder
We're going on an alpaca walking experience
Cathy Darcey & Stuart Woolley share their journey with alpacas – and other animals – to make a business out of something they love doing
6 min |
June 2024
The Country Smallholder
Concerning view of British native breed Pig and Poultry
Mixed picture of British native equine breeds with Welsh Pony Sec B joining the At Risk group
2 min |