Q I've always tried to keep up to date with good practice in caring for my livestock but in the last few years I've become increasingly aware of advice on animal behaviour concerning horses to even chickens. I'm not entirely sure if this is a 'fad' or whether its truly helpful in the care of captive animals such as pigs or chickens. Should I take more notice and why?
A The very short answer to this is yes , the science of animal behaviour is very helpful and as you rightly note, it is being increasingly recognised as part of good animal welfare (and I will include poultry in that. The better we can understand the natural behaviour of a species, the more we can work with that to provide the care and facilities that allow them thrive. We've been starting to look increasingly at behaviour and the Five Freedoms that underpin animal welfare legally are now very much accepted.
The Five Freedoms is a framework that was established in 1979 by the UK Farm Animal Welfare Council in response to an analysis of animal husbandry practices in farming.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANIMALS?
Denne historien er fra February 2023-utgaven av The Country Smallholder.
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Denne historien er fra February 2023-utgaven av The Country Smallholder.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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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
