Animal health

Need chicken nesting box ideas? Start here! Chickens are amazing. They provide so much and generally ask for very little. They are often a staple of any homestead, farm, ranch, …

Cheap fencing for pigs – Many people get put off keeping pigs after hearing horror stories about chasing escaped little grunters around the homestead! While an escaped pig is a …

All creatures who are born eventually die. There is no exception to the rule. The only variation lies in the time each species gets to walk on Earth. But – …

Duck pen ideas! Many people put off keeping ducks after seeing duck pens that are muddy and filthy! But although ducks love to play in the water, the correct duck …

If you’re new to keeping hens or want to expand your little flock, then the nesting boxes are vital. Here’s why. Hens are fussy (and fickle) creatures. And if they …

If cows, sheep, or horses live on your homestead, you will likely have come across alfalfa. This versatile animal food contains loads of nutritional benefits and is excellent for keeping …

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 …

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 …

Very few natural phenomena cause as much disgust in humans as a clump of tiny, wiggly maggots.  However, your chickens have a completely different perspective. To an average chicken, maggots …

When I first considered raising hens on my backyard hobby farm, one benefit rose quickly to the forefront – no more wasting food! Two of my three kids are champion …

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 …

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, …

Many new chicken owners take on a small flock of hens, thinking that chicken-keeping is a doddle. But then realize that their newly-introduced poultry is much pickier than they thought! …

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. …

Chicken meat is a healthy and classic family (and farm) staple! But rooster meat has a reputation for being inedible, chewy, bland, and not worth eating. Is that true? Can …