10 Winter feeding of goats should take into consideration that the quantity and quality of grazing and browsing material that forms much of their spring and summer diets will be greatly reduced. This means conserved forage must be supplied to meet these ruminants all important fibre needs. In addition, goats of all ages will also need supplementary concentrate feed to provide additional energy and nutrients to support maintenance, growth, lactation and pregnancy through the winter months.
FEEDING PET AND PYGMY GOATS
Small breeds such as Pygmy goats do not require much supplementary feed to maintain good condition, however they are also very fussy feeders! Allen & Page's Smallholder Range Pygmy Goat Mix has been specially formulated to meet the lower nutritional needs of Pygmy goats and any other goat kept as a pet. It is lower in energy and protein and higher in fibre than other goat mixes, making it ideal for helping to keep waistlines in check, whilst still providing a balanced, natural diet when fed alongside good quality forage. Pygmy Goat Mix contains dried fruit and vegetables such as apples, carrots, pineapple as well as herbs including mint and fenugreek. These tasty ingredients mimic their natural browsing behaviour as well as add interest and variety to their diet. The inclusion of flavourful ingredients like mint and dried carrot pieces makes it a highly palatable feed even to the fussiest of feeders and means the days of trying to encourage them to eat by using high energy and calorific root vegetables are over.
FEEDING PRODUCTIVE GOATS
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How to Buy a Smallholding in France- Long-time smallholder Lorraine Turnbull looks at the practicalities of moving to rural France
Aspiring smallholders are continually thwarted by the prices of smallholdings and property with land located within the UK. Even the humblest croft in Scotland comes with a substantial price tag and conditions which would make even an adventurous wannabee consider carefully. But all is not lost. For those willing to take the adventure of a lifetime, there is always Europe, and one of the most popular places is France.
Meet the Bournemouth goats and their supporters
These capricious animals are hard workers preserving the natural habitat
Still warm enough to sit outside with a Pizza
Henrietta Balcon uses fresh figs to create an unusual dish at Harvest time
Goodbye to the birds of spring and summer
If you look and listen you might be able to see them preparing to leave says The RSPB
Get ready for the colder weather in the warmth of late summer
Claire Waring advises on doing the best to make sure your colonies survive until next spring
Preparing the Veg Patch for Winter
Lee Senior says, a well-run plot can excitingly continue to produce good quality, tasty, fresh food for much of winter
Time to prepare to plant your orchard
Wade Muggleton, smallholder and author of The Orchard Book, shares his practical experience so you can create your own fruit collection
Choosing feed for the autumn
As autumn approaches, Joanna Palmer, nutritionist at the Smallholder Range, offers advice on choosing the right feed to support your adult birds through their annual moult and ensure your young birds grow and finish well at this time of the year.
Vet advice from an experienced poultry vet
Reflecting on how much the humble hen has helped people world wide plus advice on stopping the scourge of red mite
Give your hens some support
Paul Donovan looks at the right and wrong ways of handling birds
