When dogs wag their tails, it usually means they’re happy or excited, but why do pigs wag their tails? Is it a way that they show affection to humans, or is it a sign of distress? Let’s find out! The…
Raising pigs for profit is a fantastic idea, but before starting up the business, you’ll need to know how much a piglet and adult pigs cost. You’ll also need to consider how long it will take to raise a pig…
There are about 825 species of tick in the world, and it feels as though all of them want to suck my horse’s blood. In areas like ours, where the winters aren’t cold enough to kill off these blood-sucking critters,…
While the Northern Hemisphere is in the grips of winter, here in South Africa, we’re quietly sweltering. The temperature doesn’t drop much at night either, and as I’m a natural worrier (not warrior), these warm nights have me tossing and…
A few years ago, after many failed attempts, one of our hens finally managed to hatch a clutch of six chicks. Soon afterward, my delight turned to despair – four of the six were roosters! As our cute fluffy chicks matured into…
If someone asked you, what do cows eat? Your reaction would probably be to sneer and say, well, grass, of course! Everyone knows cows eat grass, but farmers and homesteaders raising cattle for meat, milk, or both know that a cow’s diet is more…
For many years, I only fed my chickens whole or cracked corn. I hoped they were getting all the nutrients needed from the bugs, seeds, fruit, and the surrounding pasture. After a while, however, I noticed my chickens were hardly…
Life on the homestead is tough, and we need the most comfortable work boots that can live up to the task. Work boots that give you blisters or pinch your toes make achieving your goals that bit harder. Unfortunately, many…
As the days lengthen and temperatures rise with the summer weather, oodles of critters emerge to pester ranchers and their horses. Some of the first pests your horses will notice – are flies. I don’t have to tell you that…
I love my cowboy boots, even though they have such smooth soles that I almost always fall over while wearing them. I used to have a sweet pair of flared jeans that went perfectly with the boots, but sadly, over-indulgence…
How can you tell if your duck eggs are fertile? Consider the following advice from our Indian runner ducks! Let me explain. Our Indian runner ducks are laying once again! But, they have a somewhat haphazard approach to egg production….
Goats eat everything! Right? Well, my herd of Dwarf Nigerian cross Boer goats doesn’t. Offer them organic lettuce fresh from the garden, and they’ll turn their collective noses up at it. Offer them fresh oat hay, and they won’t even…
As winter kicks in through the US, cows need extra nutrition! An extra feeding boost helps to you’re your cows warm and fight off the health problems associated with the inclement weather and drop in temperature. In most parts of…
Working outside during the winter months is always a challenge. While it might be tempting to wrap yourself up in a duvet before heading out, you can’t work with all that fluff immobilizing your limbs, so turn to our best…
A good mulch is a gardener’s best friend, but when it puts another best friend’s life in jeopardy, it’s not worth the risk. If your dogs are anything like mine, they’ll put almost anything in their mouths, including mulch. While…