Animals-and-Pets
The Country Smallholder
Speakers Announced for RBST Scotland Native Breeds Conference 2025
The Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) is pleased to announce Lynn Cassells, Jane Cooper and Jan McCourt as keynote speakers for the RBST Scotland Native Breeds Conference. The conference will take place on Thursday 31st July 2025 at Guardswell Farm, Inchture (Perthshire).
2 min |
July 2025
The Country Smallholder
The mountain sprinters
Appenzeller bantams might be a relatively new addition to Chris Meyer's flock, but these nimble little birds are already stealing the spotlight for him with their quirky crests, independent nature, and lightning-fast footwork
3 min |
July 2025
The Country Smallholder
Keeping hens chilled in hot weather
Chickens need to keep their cool too when the heat is on; how you can help your flock to enjoy the warmer weather
3 min |
July 2025
The Country Smallholder
From preventing flystrike to managing your show team
Dr Alistair Crozier from Parkside Vets in Dundee, part of the VetPartners group, outlines seven key flock health considerations for the summer months.
5 min |
July 2025
The Country Smallholder
Another month, another brood of birds!
The frenetic energy of bird breeding season is always associated with spring — but there's still plenty of nesting action in July for quite a number of our garden birds says Helen Moffat
2 min |
July 2025
The Country Smallholder
Sharing the joy of driving donkeys
Debbie Street gives a clinic to Australian carriage drivers with skills that work worldwide
6 min |
July 2025
The Country Smallholder
Rainwater Harvesting Tanks - A Smart Solution for Smallholders
James Blaxland, Managing Director at Shrewd Industrial Ltd looks at some options for a free resource
4 min |
July 2025
The Country Smallholder
How you can make changes for a super summer with your chickens
Sarah Kearney, Head of Nutrition at Small Holder Feed, discusses the importance of correct feeding and husbandry during the warmer months to ensure your birds remain fit, healthy, and laying well.
5 min |
July 2025
The Country Smallholder
Babbinswood Organic Farm seeks community ownership
A family-run organic farm in Shropshire is looking for new owners – and it could be you!
1 min |
July 2025
The Country Smallholder
Small and productive with surprising personality traits
Kaiserin Maggs shares what she has learned on her journey into keeping quail
2 min |
July 2025
The Country Smallholder
Your Grassland Questions Answered!
WHY IS MY PASTURE STRUGGLING TO GROW STRONG GRASS?
1 min |
July 2025
The Country Smallholder
The Churn At The End Of The Lane:
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 |
July 2025
The Country Smallholder
What's new in chicken coops
Hugh & Fiona Osborne have reviewed a new chicken coop brand by Chick'A. Their conclusion? It's great quality and fantastic value!
2 min |
July 2025
The Country Smallholder
The wonder of woodlands
Make your own laundry soap — and it could be from your very own woodland
3 min |
July 2025
The Country Smallholder
North Wales has surprisingly good transport links plus a great community and breathtaking natural beauty
Our regular column about the best places for smallholder living
1 min |
July 2025
The Country Smallholder
Jacob Sheep represented at Royal Garden Party
Six members of the Jacob Sheep Society recently swapped their sheepkeeping wellies for smart suits and summer dresses to attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace.
1 min |
July 2025
The Country Smallholder
RBST Young Shepherd - a celebration of skills and superb British breeds
RBST Senior Conservation Adviser Tom Blunt says there is still time to qualify for the 2025 Grand Final
3 min |
July 2025
The Country Smallholder
Does a smallholding need a business plan?
Hugh & Fiona Osborne firmly believe that a smallholding needs a business plan, even if it isn't a business. They have seen too many smallholdings fail for lack of a financial plan.
7 min |
July 2025
The Country Smallholder
Small Abbatoirs discussed at Westminster
The Sustainable Food Trust hopes this results in clear action
1 min |
July 2025
The Country Smallholder
VE Day plaque to honour Women's Land Army and Timber Corps
At the end of the Second World War, the Women's Land Army (WLA) and Timber Corps were not granted military status or medals, as they were classified as civilian organisations. Despite their vital contributions, their service went unrecognised for decades
5 min |
July 2025
The Country Smallholder
How to gain trust and consent from your animals
Established in 2009 by Victoria and Roger Barrett, SimplyAlpaca is a small family business determined to breed and raise alpacas and llamas using only kind and respectful methods.
2 min |
July 2025
The Country Smallholder
Bluetongue virus restricted zone extended to all of England on 1 July 2025
Bluetongue virus (BTV-3) is primarily transmitted by midge bites and affects cattle, goats, sheep, goats, deer and camelids such as llamas and alpacas
2 min |
July 2025
The Country Smallholder
"Devil will be in the detail" as farmers' livelihoods could be under threat
RSPCA wants animal welfare guarantee as UK strikes new global trade deals
2 min |
July 2025
The Country Smallholder
The Ultimate Guide to Electric Fence Testers
Meriel Younger at www.electricfencing.co.uk says if you keep livestock and poultry on your land, an electric fence might already be part of your setup.
2 min |
July 2025
The Country Smallholder
What links a hen charity and dinosaurs?
Meet the new BHWT patron, Professor Ben Garrod to get the answer
5 min |
June 2025
The Country Smallholder
What a changing climate can mean to all our chickens
Paul Donovan investigates the effects of weather patterns and events from commercial to smallholding and garden poultry
8 min |
June 2025
The Country Smallholder
Escape to the woods - How to own your dream woodland in the UK
Our regular column about the opportunities for smallholders
3 min |
June 2025
The Country Smallholder
Mourning amongst goats
Matt Huggins says close bonding in goats does mean that companions are missed
2 min |
June 2025
The Country Smallholder
Beat the heat
Cara Wheeldon meets an experienced bantam owner who shares her advice on how to keep your bantams happy, hydrated and healthy this summer
5 min |
June 2025
The Country Smallholder
Develop a smallholding health plan
Catriona Benson BVM&S, MRCVS highlights what you can do to protect from disease
5 min |