Animals-pets
The Country Smallholder
Making soap at home
Fiona and Hugh Osborne make their own soap from leaf fat to use every part of the animal
7 min |
May 2023
The Country Smallholder
The Orwell Herd of pedigree Gloucester Old Spots and Large Whites
When Georgina Woolf first met her now-husband, Ben, in 1995, she didn’t like livestock, but she quickly mucked in. Fast-forward, and she now enjoys looking after the cattle and is in charge of the pigs which were her idea!
7 min |
May 2023
The Country Smallholder
All about Bee Hives
Claire Waring continues looking at how bee hives developed.
3 min |
April 2023
The Country Smallholder
Vet advice from an experienced poultry vet
David Parsons MRCVS says do have your say on the proposed registration of all poultry keepers
3 min |
April 2023
The Country Smallholder
Three Different Approaches...
Grant Brereton quite engaging weighs up the benefits of three methods of breeding
5 min |
April 2023
The Country Smallholder
Ready, Set... Go!
In the third in a series on chicken breeding using broody hens, Fiona & Hugh Osborne guide you through supporting your broody hen during the incubation period.
5 min |
April 2023
The Country Smallholder
Have a healthy hatch!
Lisa Mancell, National Coordinator from Farmgate, gives her advice on how to prepare for hatching season
3 min |
April 2023
The Country Smallholder
Top tips for choosing the right chick feed this spring
Joanna Palmer, Nutritionist for Smallholder Range offers advice on choosing the right feed for your chicks
3 min |
April 2023
The Country Smallholder
Bovine Abortion and Stillbirth Investigation
From Vanessa Swinson and Alan Murphy, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) Cattle Expert Group
5 min |
April 2023
The Country Smallholder
Flower Power - good for mind, soul and income
Andrew Oldham explains why you cannot have vegetables without flowers
5 min |
April 2023
The Country Smallholder
Simple Elderflower Wine
Fiona and Hugh Osborne say you too can capture the flavour of spring by making this distinctive wine
6 min |
April 2023
The Country Smallholder
Weighing up what you can drive
John Sones looks at driving licences and towing trailers
3 min |
April 2023
The Country Smallholder
Keep it Local for Livestock Welfare
Megan Perry of the Sustainable Food Trust, examines why small abattoirs are essential for farmers, smallholders and all those who value local food production
3 min |
April 2023
The Country Smallholder
A Common Interest in Rare Breeds
Rare Breeds Survival Trust Chief Executive Christopher Price celebrates people, places and their livestock
2 min |
April 2023
The Country Smallholder
Wot no tomatoes?
Why smallholders are uniquely positioned to weather the supply chain storm. Liz Wright follows the ever-changing issue of food supply.
6 min |
April 2023
The Country Smallholder
Wildlife watchers needed this spring
Volunteers needed to record garden wildlife for nationwide 'Living with Mammals' survey
2 min |
Spring 2023
The Country Smallholder
Early-nesting birds... catch the worm!
Getting off to an early start, the RSPB give you the species to look out for on and around your smallholding
2 min |
Spring 2023
The Country Smallholder
Building Resilience in the Gardener: A Change in Mind-Set
Extract from The Climate Change Garden by Sally Morgan & Kim Stoddart Published by Cool Springs Press £18.99
1 min |
Spring 2023
The Country Smallholder
Spring into action and join our Egg Club
Are your spring chickens laying more eggs than you know what to do with? Well, that's music to our ears, and to the ears of the hens waiting to be rehomed by us.
2 min |
Spring 2023
The Country Smallholder
Spring into hen keeping
Lisa Mancell, National Coordinator from Farmgate Feeds, gives her advice on how to get started with hens
3 min |
Spring 2023
The Country Smallholder
Successful Hatching in an Incubator
Fiona & Hugh Osborne guide you through how to get the best hatch rates from your incubator.
6 min |
Spring 2023
The Country Smallholder
Nottinghamshire is not all Robin Hood but is also usefully situated in the middle of England with much to offer
Welcome to our regular column all about the best places to buy a country smallholding
3 min |
Spring 2023
The Country Smallholder
Taking stock of your flock in the spring-body scoring and shearing
Joy Whitehead also prepares for the Show season during this busy time of the alpaca year
4 min |
Spring 2023
The Country Smallholder
Pets or pests?
Continuing her series for novice shepherds, Liz Shankland explains the highs and lows of playing foster parent to motherless lambs.
4 min |
Spring 2023
The Country Smallholder
Watery Mouth Disease in lambs
Lamb Health Report from APHA
2 min |
Spring 2023
The Country Smallholder
How to avoid bringing infection in to your flock or herd from incoming stock
Sophie Cranfield, Westpoint Vets, Horsham discusses managing the risks when buying-in animals to add to your existing livestock
3 min |
Spring 2023
The Country Smallholder
Breed Focus: Ouessant Sheep
Helen Babbs finds out about the world's smallest sheep breed
5 min |
Spring 2023
The Country Smallholder
Native Breeds for Modern Needs
Rare Breeds Survival Trust Chief Executive Christopher Price examines the place of rare breeds today
2 min |
Spring 2023
The Country Smallholder
Preparing Goat-Kids for Life
Tamsin Cooper considers techniques based on natural behaviour
5 min |
Spring 2023
The Country Smallholder
Harvesting rainwater
Last year saw the UK's highest-ever temperature only a few miles from us at Coningsby, Lincolnshire 40.3C!
7 min |