The Country Smallholder - April 2024

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Spring diary dates
From fibre displays to tractor runs, plus the first shows of they year, there’s much to see and do UK wide – find your day out.

Blacknose Beauties – meet the Valais sheep
We meet a breeder of these Swiss sheep that has taken the UK by storm.

Meeting the people keeping British sheep breeds alive and well

David Cummins-Egan speaks to three smallholders who believe their breed will survive and thrive into the future

8 mins

Choosing a Spinning Wheel

Claire Boley considers what you need to look for when investing in a new wheel

2 mins

Breed Focus: Angora Rabbits

Helen Babbs finds out about these easy-to-keep rabbits with their luxury fibre

6 mins

Watching the goats on the Watchlist

Rare Breeds Survival Trust Conservation Adviser Andrea Parry Jones looks at how we can help our native breed goat

4 mins

Broody Hen Disasters

Hatching chicks the natural way doesn't always go smoothly. Grant Brereton, author of The Broody Hen Hand Book, reveals some of the past challenges with broody hens that inspired his publication...

9 mins

Poultry leg rings are an invaluable tool for poultry keepers

There are a vast array of types of leg rings on the market and they can be used in many ways. Fiona & Hugh Osborne guide you through the choices and applications.

5 mins

The spring is a good time to think about getting some hens

What you need to know about adopting hens from the BHWT

5 mins

Home is where the hen is

Chickens are an \"absolute necessity in anyone's life,\" says Cara Wheeldon It's no yolk! from healing properties to happiness, here's why poultry make the best pets

5 mins

I'll talk, you listen

Paul Donovan investigates the importance of vocalisation in chickens, and how it conveys a bird's feelings, and state of health

8 mins

All about Asparagus

Lee Senior has some surprising facts about this delicious plant that you can grow in your veg patch

6 mins

Keeping Things Together

Claire Waring discusses methods of swarm control

5 mins

How can we ensure that Britain keeps farming?

Agricultural journalist, smallholder and Editor of the Ferguson Heritage Magazine Jane Brooks, joins us for her regular look at the world of agricultural machinery.

4 mins

Being able to respond to unexpected accidents on the smallholding is crucial

Hugh & Fiona Osborne describe how they have responded to a major setback to their smallholder plans. It may help you plan your response, should the worst happen.

7 mins

Medicinal plants formally known as weeds!

Mel Thomas says start small to make a difference in your garden

3 mins

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The Country Smallholder Magazine Description:

The Country Smallholder is aimed at the ever-increasing UK audience interested in living a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable way of life. From people already living on a smallholding, to allotment owners; from those with a couple of acres of land, to those aspiring to get more out of their garden or even window box. With 73% of UK residents claiming to want to live more sustainably post Covid, The Country Smallholder has something for everyone.

Every issue will carry; free vet advice; helpful practical features on all aspects of smallholding, from keeping chickens to crop rotation; information on poultry, pigs, sheep, goats, cattle, and alpacas; rural crafts; property; small tractors and machinery, as well as keeping readers up to date with all the latest news and innovations.