Animals-pets
The Country Smallholder
A celebration of food from Scotland
Josephine Laing was exhibiting but also found time to see what was on offer
3 min |
November 2025
The Country Smallholder
Are you ready for hedging season?
Gone are the days of struggling with a step ladder and a handheld hedge cutter. Get the work done in a fraction of the time from the comfort of your Siromer Tractor.
2 min |
November 2025
The Country Smallholder
Picking the perfect present for countryside people
It's the time of year to start finding the right gift for your smallholding friends. We've had festive fun finding some ideas for you. Maybe at least one of these should be a present to yourself!
5 min |
November 2025
The Country Smallholder
What Do You Need to Start Keeping Chickens
If you're thinking of getting chickens for the first time in the new year, it's easy to be bamboozled by the bewildering array of information and equipment on offer. Hugh and Fiona Osborne explain the basics.
7 min |
November 2025
The Country Smallholder
Discovering fermented sauces
In some parts of the world, lactic acid fermentation (the preserving technique used in sauerkraut) is widely practiced and produces many fantastic foods. For some reason it has never been widespread in the UK but Hugh & Fiona Osborne are big fans of the technique and use it to preserve their annual chilli glut as delicious sauces.
5 min |
November 2025
The Country Smallholder
Up to the moment advice on preventing Liver Fluke
Q I'm a fairly new sheep keeper and I'm still struggling to understand how to manage Liver Fluke in terms of identifying and preventing. I wonder where I can get up to date advice and keep on top of this.
2 min |
November 2025
The Country Smallholder
Natural Pest Control Agents
Chickens can be kept for more than just their eggs and meat, but as natural pest controllers. Paul Donovan gives us the lowdown
8 min |
November 2025
The Country Smallholder
Understanding your chicken's respiratory system for good welfare
Victoria Roberts BVSc MRCVS looks at why ventilation is essential to your poultry's health
2 min |
November 2025
The Country Smallholder
Bordering on the perfect sheep breed...
Traditional Welsh sheep farmer says there are no hurdles, just bright horizons when it comes to the Border Leicester
3 min |
November 2025
The Country Smallholder
A family favourite chicken pie for colder days
Henrietta Balcon is happy to see the sugar beet harvest in full swing
2 min |
November 2025
The Country Smallholder
Our native ponies are admired worldwide but how are they doing?
Rare Breeds Survival Trust Chief Executive Christopher Price gives an update on their populations
5 min |
November 2025
The Country Smallholder
Ready; Get Set; PLANT! – it's the beginning of a seasonal goodwill to plants
English Woodlands explain what bareroot planting means and how to get your hedges, trees or shrubs established
2 min |
November 2025
The Country Smallholder
The autumn egg drop
As the summer days fade, many chicken keepers notice their hens' egg baskets looking a little emptier. Experienced breeder Kate from Kent shares her wisdom on what to expect during the autumn egg drop, and how to spot when it might be more than just a seasonal lull.
5 min |
October 2025
The Country Smallholder
Proud to be a homesteader
You write-sharing your experiences and opinions
1 min |
October 2025
The Country Smallholder
Dispelling the myths about what makes a farm vet
VetPartners is dispelling the myths about what it takes to be a farm vet.
2 min |
October 2025
The Country Smallholder
Move to the Isle of Coll with a stunning coast line and wildlife in abundance
Our regular column seeking out the best places for smallholder living
1 min |
October 2025
The Country Smallholder
Smart Feeding Strategies for Ducks and Geese
In this feature, Sarah Day, nutritionist for Small Holder Feed, shares expert guidance to help you make informed feeding choices, from tiny hatchlings through to laying adults.
5 min |
October 2025
The Country Smallholder
Introducing a machinery company with a heritage
Fleming Agri Products have been established for 165 years
2 min |
October 2025
The Country Smallholder
The Pekin bantam, a favourite True bantam with no large counterpart
Victoria Roberts BVSC MRCVS explores the history, appearance and temperament of this delightful breed
3 min |
October 2025
The Country Smallholder
Hedge-cutting: neglect and renewal
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 another of his monthly series, Jeremy Hobson continues to outline just a few of them.
2 min |
October 2025
The Country Smallholder
Getting Ready for Winter
Claire Waring discusses how we can help our bees prepare and give them the best chance of survival
6 min |
October 2025
The Country Smallholder
Halloween folklore and fowl
This Halloween, step into the shadows of rural folklore with Cara Wheeldon to discover spooky poultry tales, ghostly roosters, banshee-like wails, and sinister headless hens. All from Britain's haunted farmyard past.
3 min |
October 2025
The Country Smallholder
Defra's shift to a 'whole breed' approach
Our Experts answer your questions
2 min |
October 2025
The Country Smallholder
Keep it Simple!
Grant Brereton says it's the beginning of an exciting journey but make the first steps easy
5 min |
October 2025
The Country Smallholder
Explaining the Bluff and the Bite
Paul Donovan delves into the world of Threat Posturing in chickens, why they do it, how it looks and when and how we should take action
8 min |
October 2025
The Country Smallholder
How you can develop your interests even in a more remote community
Introducing u3a: A creative lifeline in Rural Communities
2 min |
October 2025
The Country Smallholder
Staying with mum: cow-withcalf dairying
Helen Babbs finds out about the dairy method where cows get to keep their calves at foot
5 min |
October 2025
The Country Smallholder
What's that in the nest box?
Andy Hill says you need to read this guide to lash eggs so they never come as a surprise!
2 min |
October 2025
The Country Smallholder
Roots to Riches begins now!
English Woodlands say prepare to plant your trees & hedges, to reap multiple rewards
4 min |
October 2025
The Country Smallholder
Homesteading versus smallholding
I've been preparing for a smallholding since I was a child I think. I used to help with haymaking, visit the local dairy farm, read farming books and took farming magazines.
1 min |