CATEGORIES

Taking stock of your flock in the spring-body scoring and shearing
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

time-read
4 mins  |
Spring 2023
Building Resilience in the Gardener: A Change in Mind-Set
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

time-read
1 min  |
Spring 2023
Spring into action and join our Egg Club
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.

time-read
2 mins  |
Spring 2023
Spring into hen keeping
The Country Smallholder

Spring into hen keeping

Lisa Mancell, National Coordinator from Farmgate Feeds, gives her advice on how to get started with hens

time-read
3 mins  |
Spring 2023
How to avoid bringing infection in to your flock or herd from incoming stock
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

time-read
3 mins  |
Spring 2023
Pets or pests?
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.

time-read
4 mins  |
Spring 2023
Watery Mouth Disease in lambs
The Country Smallholder

Watery Mouth Disease in lambs

Lamb Health Report from APHA

time-read
2 mins  |
Spring 2023
Native Breeds for Modern Needs
The Country Smallholder

Native Breeds for Modern Needs

Rare Breeds Survival Trust Chief Executive Christopher Price examines the place of rare breeds today

time-read
2 mins  |
Spring 2023
Harvesting rainwater
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!

time-read
7 mins  |
Spring 2023
When the going gets tough, the smallholder needs to pause and take stock
The Country Smallholder

When the going gets tough, the smallholder needs to pause and take stock

Jack Smellie shares her secrets on surviving the difficult days and living your dream

time-read
3 mins  |
Spring 2023
Wildlife watchers needed this spring
The Country Smallholder

Wildlife watchers needed this spring

Volunteers needed to record garden wildlife for nationwide 'Living with Mammals' survey

time-read
2 mins  |
Spring 2023
Successful Hatching in an Incubator
The Country Smallholder

Successful Hatching in an Incubator

Fiona & Hugh Osborne guide you through how to get the best hatch rates from your incubator.

time-read
6 mins  |
Spring 2023
Early-nesting birds... catch the worm!
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

time-read
2 mins  |
Spring 2023
NFU say Urgent action needed to secure home-grown food supply
The Country Smallholder

NFU say Urgent action needed to secure home-grown food supply

Government faces a stark choice: back British food production in order to secure a homegrown supply of sustainable food or risk seeing more empty shelves in the nation's supermarkets.

time-read
1 min  |
February 2023
British Wool praised for wool prices
The Country Smallholder

British Wool praised for wool prices

British Wool has been hailed as an example of collective marketing and praised for its success in improving prices for UK sheep farmers.

time-read
1 min  |
February 2023
When man's best friend goes feral - the danger of dog attacks on livestock
The Country Smallholder

When man's best friend goes feral - the danger of dog attacks on livestock

Mark Jackson, agricultural solicitor at Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors examines what you can do and possible changes to the law.

time-read
4 mins  |
February 2023
Breath easily - why goats cough and have respiratory problems
The Country Smallholder

Breath easily - why goats cough and have respiratory problems

David Harwood BVetMed, FRCVS looks at the signs and why early action is the best course of action.

time-read
5 mins  |
February 2023
Time for the winter pruning of fruit trees
The Country Smallholder

Time for the winter pruning of fruit trees

Lorraine Turnbull says making the effort at the right time will be a fruitful action.

time-read
4 mins  |
February 2023
Things Begin to Stir
The Country Smallholder

Things Begin to Stir

Claire Waring describes the increasing activity within your beehive. Although it obviously depends on where you live and on the vagaries of the great British climate, things begin to move inside the beehive in March so now is the time to understand what will happen. Also find out how you can help them and other bees.

time-read
5 mins  |
February 2023
What poultry keepers think they should do if they suspect avian flu
The Country Smallholder

What poultry keepers think they should do if they suspect avian flu

Sol Elliot, Final Year (5th) Veterinary student at the School of University Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, updates from her survey which aims to find out how vets and owners view Avian Flu.

time-read
3 mins  |
February 2023
Rhubarb is a sign of spring and the warmer weather to come.
The Country Smallholder

Rhubarb is a sign of spring and the warmer weather to come.

Mrs Simkins Smallholder Recipes bring the changing seasons into your kitchen. Make the most of the early stems whilst using early spring eggs for some cake baking.

time-read
2 mins  |
February 2023
How genetics influence some areas of poultry breeding.
The Country Smallholder

How genetics influence some areas of poultry breeding.

The plumage colour of a chicken is defined by two pigment types.

time-read
5 mins  |
February 2023
Saving resources for the future
The Country Smallholder

Saving resources for the future

John Sones looks at more carbon reducing ideas

time-read
3 mins  |
February 2023
The thatched cottage dream or disaster
The Country Smallholder

The thatched cottage dream or disaster

Master Thatcher, Chris Dodson untangles the myths from the reality to help you make your choice in the property market.

time-read
6 mins  |
February 2023
Set up your own camping site
The Country Smallholder

Set up your own camping site

A certified Camping and Caravanning Club site will give you an alternative income with pitch perfect peace of mind.

time-read
2 mins  |
February 2023
Look out for Potato Day!
The Country Smallholder

Look out for Potato Day!

For heritage varieties and a huge selection, Potato Days up and down the UK are back this year.

time-read
2 mins  |
February 2023
What are good companions?
The Country Smallholder

What are good companions?

Companion planting with tomatoes and marigolds

time-read
1 min  |
February 2023
Animal Behaviour?
The Country Smallholder

Animal Behaviour?

Two welsh ponies interacting but are they fighting or playing?

time-read
3 mins  |
February 2023
Dirty Ducks
The Country Smallholder

Dirty Ducks

Call ducks are the least messy ducks, due mainly to their smaller size

time-read
1 min  |
February 2023
Wintering out animals all year round -how is it possible?
The Country Smallholder

Wintering out animals all year round -how is it possible?

Peter Stoker suggests using electric fencing to out winter livestock on grass and other forage crops.

time-read
3 mins  |
February 2023