Animals-and-Pets
The Country Smallholder
How much control do we have of the food we eat?
In the first article of this series, Jack Smellie explored the smallholder relationship with meat: the pride, the sadness and all things in between. This month, she takes a more in-depth look at the ethics of smallholder grown food meat and veg/fruit) and the smallholder relationship with food in general.
6 min |
May 2023
The Country Smallholder
The Swiss Army Knife of tool carrying attachments for a Tractor
Introducing the BigToolRack and its inventor
2 min |
May 2023
The Country Smallholder
Machinery Matters
In this month’s issue Jane Brooks looks at the venerable Ferguson tractor, still a popular tool on many smallholdings, but beware it takes a little getting used to.
4 min |
May 2023
The Country Smallholder
It's ime to plan your patch
Kim Stoddart explains how to maximise produce growing opportunities this year...
4 min |
May 2023
The Country Smallholder
Fear and stress in chickens
All animals show fear and stress and as their keepers, it should alert us to their needs. This month Paul Donovan investigates its role in poultry and how to reduce it.
8 min |
May 2023
The Country Smallholder
Rearing chickens, ducks and geese to eat
Experienced smallholder Lorraine Turnbull discusses how to get the best return from your meat birds.
5 min |
May 2023
The Country Smallholder
Growing Stages
Grant Brereton looks forward to getting excited about growing stock...
5 min |
May 2023
The Country Smallholder
Get off that nest!
Janice Houghton-Wallace looks at what to do when you don't want a broody hen to hatch eggs When it comes to hatching fertilised eggs a broody hen is best at the art of incubation. Broodiness normally occurs in a chicken once she has laid a clutch of eggs that she will be able to cover and incubate effectively. The number of eggs in a clutch varies between breeds but an average ideal number is between 10 - 12. But what happens if you don't want her to be broody?
3 min |
May 2023
The Country Smallholder
Hatching and beyond
Fiona Hugh Osborne guide you through the hatching process and how to handle common problems.
7 min |
May 2023
The Country Smallholder
Beautiful bantams are ideal for the smaller garden
Lisa Mancell, National Sales Co-ordinator at Farmgate Feeds gives her top tips on caring for bantams.
2 min |
May 2023
The Country Smallholder
All about Alpacas
Introducing Camelidynamics - learn how to work with the natural behaviour of alpacas for calm handling
2 min |
May 2023
The Country Smallholder
Are you ready for the responsibility of livestock?
Without sufficient knowledge, new livestock owners can find themselves stumbling along says Catriona Benson. But help is at hand
2 min |
May 2023
The Country Smallholder
Breed Focus: Black Welsh Mountain Sheep
Helen Babbs meets this attractive and thrifty breed from Wales
4 min |
May 2023
The Country Smallholder
Meet the therapists!
We look at how Grace Olson discovered the healing power of sheep
5 min |
May 2023
The Country Smallholder
Help your pet to ditch that itch
If your dog is scratching excessively it’s uncomfortable for them and frustrating for you. Here, vet Julie Lawrence offers some sound advice to help identify skin problems and considers the treatment and management options available
3 min |
May 2023
The Country Smallholder
Foot and Mouth Disease and other Exotic Diseases
David Harwood BVetMed, FRCVS asks if your goats and other livestock are still at risk?
7 min |
May 2023
The Country Smallholder
It’s a Dog's Life Down on the Farm and on the smallholding...
In his bi-monthly series, Jeremy Hobson continues to discuss the life of the smallholders’ dog as a working companion and pet
2 min |
May 2023
The Country Smallholder
Alpaca Fibrehow to get the best from it
Joy Whitehead discusses fleece production and uses
5 min |
May 2023
The Country Smallholder
Making soap at home
Fiona and Hugh Osborne make their own soap from leaf fat to use every part of the animal
7 min |
May 2023
The Country Smallholder
The Orwell Herd of pedigree Gloucester Old Spots and Large Whites
When Georgina Woolf first met her now-husband, Ben, in 1995, she didn’t like livestock, but she quickly mucked in. Fast-forward, and she now enjoys looking after the cattle and is in charge of the pigs which were her idea!
7 min |
May 2023
The Country Smallholder
All about Bee Hives
Claire Waring continues looking at how bee hives developed.
3 min |
April 2023
The Country Smallholder
Vet advice from an experienced poultry vet
David Parsons MRCVS says do have your say on the proposed registration of all poultry keepers
3 min |
April 2023
The Country Smallholder
Three Different Approaches...
Grant Brereton quite engaging weighs up the benefits of three methods of breeding
5 min |
April 2023
The Country Smallholder
Ready, Set... Go!
In the third in a series on chicken breeding using broody hens, Fiona & Hugh Osborne guide you through supporting your broody hen during the incubation period.
5 min |
April 2023
The Country Smallholder
Have a healthy hatch!
Lisa Mancell, National Coordinator from Farmgate, gives her advice on how to prepare for hatching season
3 min |
April 2023
The Country Smallholder
Top tips for choosing the right chick feed this spring
Joanna Palmer, Nutritionist for Smallholder Range offers advice on choosing the right feed for your chicks
3 min |
April 2023
The Country Smallholder
Bovine Abortion and Stillbirth Investigation
From Vanessa Swinson and Alan Murphy, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) Cattle Expert Group
5 min |
April 2023
The Country Smallholder
Flower Power - good for mind, soul and income
Andrew Oldham explains why you cannot have vegetables without flowers
5 min |
April 2023
The Country Smallholder
Simple Elderflower Wine
Fiona and Hugh Osborne say you too can capture the flavour of spring by making this distinctive wine
6 min |
April 2023
The Country Smallholder
Weighing up what you can drive
John Sones looks at driving licences and towing trailers
3 min |