Animals-and-Pets
The Country Smallholder
Chicken Boredom Busters can keep your chickens safe as well as entertained.
Chickens need mental and physical stimulation to stay happy and healthy. When confined to an enclosure, they can easily become bored, leading to feather pecking and bullying. Fiona & Hugh Osborne guide you through some simple boredom busters for your flock.
6 min |
May 2025
The Country Smallholder
There are many tools that simply don't crop up in day-to-day life, but are tremendously useful to smallholders, when we find out that they exist!
When Hugh and Fiona started smallholding, they anticipated needing run of the mill tools, but they didn’t anticipate some of the less common tools that have really made life easier.
6 min |
May 2025
The Country Smallholder
Less work, more edible results
Kim Stoddart shares more of her tried and tested, time and money-saving gems
4 min |
May 2025
The Country Smallholder
Register Today, Protect Tomorrow
Christopher Price, Rare Breeds Survival Trust Chief Executive discusses why and how this counts
3 min |
May 2025
The Country Smallholder
Prizewinning day at the British Alpaca Society national Show
Paula Winsor of the Winsaula Alpaca Stud explains why this means so much and offers help and advice to those thinking of starting with alpacas
3 min |
May 2025
The Country Smallholder
Vet advice to farmers on Blue Tongue and TB
Find out what advice is available to you so you can plan ahead
3 min |
May 2025
The Country Smallholder
Hay making in the past
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 the third of his monthly series, Jeremy Hobson continues to outline just a few of them.
2 min |
May 2025
The Country Smallholder
Through the lens
Want to capture stunning photos of your bantams, whether at home or in the show hall? A poultry expert and show photographer shares his top tips on lighting, posing, and patience with Cara Wheeldon to help you get the perfect shot.
5 min |
May 2025
The Country Smallholder
How to reduce the risk of new arrivals
Vet Catriona Benson looks at what you can do to make sure introducing new livestock does not bring health issues to existing animals or birds
5 min |
May 2025
The Country Smallholder
In praise of hand shearing for that extra special touch
David Cummins-Egan meets a sheep keeper, blade shearer and spinner
4 min |
May 2025
The Country Smallholder
Enjoy nature's bounty with with respect
Henrietta Balcon makes the most of an early season delicacy.
2 min |
May 2025
The Country Smallholder
How to recognize when you need to call a vet
Lydia Watson, a long time poultry keeper, shares her experiences where observation is the key to when to act
2 min |
May 2025
The Country Smallholder
Top tips for showing
Helen Babbs looks at getting started with sheep showing
5 min |
May 2025
The Country Smallholder
Trainee auctioneer secures 'dream job' at the UK's largest sheep mart
A trainee auctioneer has landed a dream job learning his trade at the UK's largest sheep livestock mart.
2 min |
May 2025
The Country Smallholder
End of an era for Laced Wyandotte Champ
Grant Brereton previews a very special retirement sale from Steve Dace, a poultry legend
2 min |
May 2025
The Country Smallholder
The pony diet: balancing fibre, forage, and essential nutrients.
Sarah Kearney BSc (Hons), PGCert Head of Equine and Smallholder Nutrition at Allen & Page, discusses how to feed these pint-sized equines to ensure optimal health.
6 min |
May 2025
The Country Smallholder
The Sulmtaler needs your support!
Grant Brereton looks at a beautiful Austrian breed that could do with more keepers...
8 min |
May 2025
The Country Smallholder
A property in the Pennines offers stunning scenery and smallholding opportunities plus connectivity
Our regular column about the best places for smallholding living
1 min |
May 2025
The Country Smallholder
Perfectly prehistoric
With their sleek bodies, long legs, and inquisitive nature, Modern Game bantams look like tiny raptors roaming the backyard. But behind their striking appearance lies a confident, friendly breed full of personality. Cara Wheeldon finds out why these fascinating birds make such a captivating addition to the flock
3 min |
May 2025
The Country Smallholder
Spring clean your hen house
Plus get ready for next year's London Marathon to support rescued hens
4 min |
May 2025
The Country Smallholder
End of life care - the final act of love
Matt Huggins considers the importance of saying a compassionate goodbye to your goat
2 min |
May 2025
The Country Smallholder
The Marans are famous for their dark brown and often speckled eggs
But Victoria Roberts BVSc MRCVS says that's only part of the story of these striking birds
2 min |
May 2025
The Country Smallholder
Why chickens love the sunshine
Paul Donovan uncovers the surprising facts behind sunbathing in chickens
8 min |
May 2025
The Country Smallholder
Make the most of your alpaca's precious fleece
Joy Whitehead of Bozedown Alpacas says you need to start long before shearing day
4 min |
May 2025
The Country Smallholder
Planting trees for a sustainable future
Landowners Phil and Chelsea had been looking for the perfect woodland to buy – but the MOREwoods scheme by the Woodland Trust enabled them to plant their own instead.
8 min |
May 2025
The Country Smallholder
Want to turn your fleeces into something special?
If you are undecided what to do with your shorn fleece from this year's clip, The Natural Fibre Company offers a range of fibre processing services to transform it into premium quality yarns.
3 min |
May 2025
The Country Smallholder
Inside the world of a busy alpaca stud
Alexandra Verhoef of Alpaca Evolution brings us up to date with what's happening on their alpaca farm
2 min |
May 2025
The Country Smallholder
Suffering April showers, because we want flowers in May
Agricultural journalist, smallholder and editor of Ford & Fordson Tractors Magazine Jane Brooks, joins us for her regular look at the world.
4 min |
April 2025
The Country Smallholder
What Mob Grazing is and how it can work even on a smallholding
Well known to Archers fans on BBC radio 4, this system is gaining momentum. Wade Muggleton finds out why
5 min |
April 2025
The Country Smallholder
Grow-your-own ornamental edibles
Lee Senior says its surprising how so many plants can be both delicious and dramatic!
6 min |