Animals-and-Pets
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 |
October 2025
The Country Smallholder
Animal By-Product Rules and How they Affect Our Flocks
Animal By-Product (ABP) Regulation can catch out many poultry keepers. Fiona and Hugh Osborne explain the rules in simple terms.
7 min |
October 2025
The Country Smallholder
Make your own Rosehip Syrup
Woodlands.co.uk shares not only how to make Rosehip Syrup but also how to turn it into the perfect foraged cocktail
2 min |
October 2025
The Country Smallholder
A season of colour and new visitors
Autumn is a time to preserve for winter and it's the same for wildlife says
4 min |
October 2025
The Country Smallholder
Growing Great Garlic
Lee Senior looks at how to grow breathtaking garlic
5 min |
October 2025
The Country Smallholder
How to eliminate a rat problem
In part 1 of this series, Hugh & Fiona Osborne looked at why rats might come on to a smallholding, how to make a smallholding unattractive to rats and how to identify their presence.
7 min |
October 2025
The Country Smallholder
Get rodent ready for 2026 & get qualified with a fantastic prize!
Win a rodent busting prize pack consisting of a full CRRU approved course in rodent management and bag yourself a trio of premium prevention & control products just in time for rat season.
1 min |
October 2025
The Country Smallholder
The Dos and Don'ts of sheep
John Sones looks back at hard learned lessons and shares them so you don't have to experience them too
6 min |
October 2025
The Country Smallholder
Code Red! What is Red Diesel and when is it legal to run your tractor on it?
Agricultural journalist, smallholder and editor of Ford & Fordson Tractors Magazine Jane Brooks, joins us for her regular look at the world.
4 min |
October 2025
The Country Smallholder
Rooting for farming's future
The brilliant bunch of farmers who joined forces to launch British Carrot Day 2025
5 min |
October 2025
The Country Smallholder
For bee keepers and honey lovers everywhere
Beekeepers put on a spectacular display at County Shows often with a colourful floral display alive with insect visitors, and an observation hive where you can see the activity within the beehive and spot the queen.
3 min |
October 2025
The Country Smallholder
SCOPS and COWS welcome BVA's latest policy
But they highlight the extent of work already done
2 min |
October 2025
The Country Smallholder
A holistic approach to parasite control
Vets to encourage a targeting approach where possible, for best practice
3 min |