Animals-and-Pets
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 |
March 2025
The Country Smallholder
No space to spare- an influx of rescued goats
Matt Huggins makes an unusual appeal for new foster homes
2 min |
February 2025
The Country Smallholder
Treats for Valentines Day
Henrietta Balcon looks at the traditions surrounding this celebration of love
2 min |
February 2025
The Country Smallholder
Are you legal to transport livestock?
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 |
February 2025
The Country Smallholder
Soil Farmer of the Year competition launched on World Soil Day
Farmers can now enter the 2025 Soil Farmer of the Year competition, which will celebrate leadership in soil management as a tool to support the overall resilience of farm businesses. Entries close 5th March, 2025
1 min |
February 2025
The Country Smallholder
Getting kitted out for safety and comfort
Claire Waring considers the personal equipment you need when starting beekeeping.
6 min |
February 2025
The Country Smallholder
Laying hens doing a cracking job helping young farmer plough his own furrow
Joining Farmlay as a contract producer has helped a young Scottish farmer transform a modest acreage into a profitable concern.
4 min |
February 2025
The Country Smallholder
What Can Chickens Eat for Treats?
Most of us with chickens want to provide some treats as a supplement to their core food, either to encourage their trust or simply “just because”. Fiona & Hugh Osborne guide you through the options.
7 min |
February 2025
The Country Smallholder
The Andalusian, a beautiful Mediterranean light breed which has some genetic quirks
This Mediterranean breed was known in the early 1800s, but the colours then were black or white.
2 min |
February 2025
The Country Smallholder
The waddle of wee webbed feet
Many ducks will soon come into lay but you need to plan ahead if you want to breed ducklings
3 min |
February 2025
The Country Smallholder
Consider Cheshire for stunning countryside but also a county of culture
Sue Field writes our regular column about the best places for smallholder living
2 min |
February 2025
The Country Smallholder
Get the right balance for good health
From laminitis to obesity, to urology or constipation or looseness, Emily Wansbrough, Smallholder Nutritionist from The Smallholder Range discusses why diseases are caused by unbalanced feeding
5 min |
February 2025
The Country Smallholder
Hedges are nature's corridors as well as field barriers
John Sones says to be aware of hedgerow law and how to find funding
4 min |
February 2025
The Country Smallholder
The Inner Workings of a Goat Herd
Understanding how a herd works for its members is important to the welfare of goats
5 min |