Animals-and-Pets
The Country Smallholder
Top Tips for successful chick reaing
Tom McFly gives key points to get your hatchlings to strong, young birds
3 min |
Spring 2025
The Country Smallholder
Care needed with supplementary colostrum to avoid 'unintended consequences'
With many smallholders lambing season fast approaching, new on-farm research is highlighting the serious 'unintended consequences' of poor colostrum storage and equipment hygiene.
4 min |
Spring 2025
The Country Smallholder
Bearded beauty
Charming, gentle, and undeniably unique, the Barbu d’Uccle is a bantam breed full of character. This month, Cara Wheeldon shines the spotlight on this captivating Belgian breed with insights from a dedicated poultry keeper
2 min |
Spring 2025
The Country Smallholder
Nature's ecosystem engineers are quietly managing waterways
Michael Wale finds beavers in West London working for the Local Council!
5 min |
Spring 2025
The Country Smallholder
Q&A with RBST Trustee John Reed
John Reed, former Chairman of the British Poultry Council, joined the Rare Breeds Survival Trust’s Board of Trustees at the end of 2024. Here he tells us more about his areas of expertise and his views on rare breeds survival action in 2025 and beyond.
2 min |
Spring 2025
The Country Smallholder
When spring has sprung
Agricultural journalist, smallholder and editor of Ford & Fordson Tractors Magazine Jane Brooks, joins us for her regular look at the world of agricultural machinery
4 min |
Spring 2025
The Country Smallholder
Growing Nutritious Treats for Very Reasonable Prices
Wheat fodder is easily grown as a treat for chickens and significantly increases both the weight and nutritional value of the wheat from its grain form. Fiona and Hugh Osborne show you how
5 min |
Spring 2025
The Country Smallholder
The Scythe: Setting Up and Perfecting Your Mowing Technique
Andrea Gilpin focuses on the scythe and scythe technique
2 min |
Spring 2025
The Country Smallholder
Looking forward to spring
Henrietta Balcon cooks a warm dish for early spring's often chilly weather
3 min |
Spring 2025
The Country Smallholder
Do chickens dream? Surprising science says they do!
Paul Donovan uncovers the secrets of Avian Slumber.
9 min |
Spring 2025
The Country Smallholder
Herbs for every day of the year
Lydia Watson suggests growing some beautiful herbs for adding flavour to your dishes as well as making your garden look pretty.
5 min |
Spring 2025
The Country Smallholder
View form a farmer's daughter and smallholder on inheritance and land
Farm and Smallholding valuations are coming under the spotlight as the UK's tax regime is reformed, but not all of us are keeping it in the family says Jane Brooks
6 min |
Spring 2025
The Country Smallholder
The year ahead for Alpaca Evolution
Looking forward to welcoming you to their farm for fun, learning and reflection
2 min |
Spring 2025
The Country Smallholder
You've got a friend in me Bonding amongst goats
Matt Huggins looks at relationships in the herd
3 min |
Spring 2025
The Country Smallholder
Smallholding profile: Naturally Woodland
Helen Babbs meets a flock of Whiteface Woodland sheep with a thriving soap business
5 min |
Spring 2025
The Country Smallholder
Handing alpacas is simply successful
Victoria Barrett of SimplyAlpaca explains why understanding and working with natural behaviour makes sense and for easier training for camelids
2 min |
Spring 2025
The Country Smallholder
Making delicious golden mead is easy
Many people think of mead as something of historical interest, but good mead is delicious and surprisingly easy to make. Hugh & Fiona Osborne are on a mission to bring mead back to smallholders and small farmers
6 min |
March 2025
The Country Smallholder
Olfaction is a very misunderstood sense in hens
Paul Donovan investigates the sense of smell, and how it impacts behaviour.
7 min |
March 2025
The Country Smallholder
Safeguarding your smallholding - who owns the land?
Agricultural journalist, smallholder and editor of Ford & Fordson Tractors Magazine Jane Brooks, joins us for her regular look at the world of agricultural machinery, smallholding and life in general.
4 min |
March 2025
The Country Smallholder
Do Government Policies Make Now a Good Time to Sell Land?
lan Barnett, National Land Director, Leaders Romans Group (LRG) looks at recent planning developments
3 min |
March 2025
The Country Smallholder
Get growing early with some TLC
Lee Senior shows how to provide tender, loving care with early season warmth and protection
6 min |
March 2025
The Country Smallholder
Pre-Season Checks for Your Incubator
We asked Brinsea Incubator Specialists how to get off to a good start to a successful hatching season
3 min |
March 2025
The Country Smallholder
Get prepared for keeping bees
Claire Waring looks at what you need to know before you become a hands on beekeeper.
6 min |
March 2025
The Country Smallholder
March that heralds in spring
It’s also a busy one on the smallholding and in the garden
3 min |
March 2025
The Country Smallholder
Exmoor Horn sheepnot just for Exmoor!
Helen Babbs meets the the hardy hill breed with excellent fleece
5 min |
March 2025
The Country Smallholder
Introducing new goats to your herd
Matt Huggins explains how to keep new members and old members safe and sound when first meeting
3 min |
March 2025
The Country Smallholder
All about the boots
With their feathered feet, friendly nature, and curious charm, Booted Bantams are a standout breed for all poultry keepers. Cara Wheeldon finds out what makes these little birds so special—and why you will never stop at just one.
2 min |
March 2025
The Country Smallholder
Why live in Dubai when you can farm deer in Scotland
Michael Wale finds out the attractions
5 min |
March 2025
The Country Smallholder
A Brief Chapter in the History of Land
Farming and smallholding practices have altered over the past century or so. Some changes have been subtle, others less so – and many brought about by technology and legislation. In a new monthly series, Jeremy Hobson outlines just a few of them.
2 min |
March 2025
The Country Smallholder
How city farms are actively conserving our native breed
Rare Breeds Survival Trust Chief Executive Christopher Price explains how consumers see farming in their own urban community
5 min |