Ducklings, like their adult counterparts, are omnivores from birth, but determining what baby ducks can and cannot eat can be tricky since there are so many feeds and treats to choose from. So, what do you feed ducklings, and what should you avoid? Baby ducks eat insects and many plants, including fruits, leaves, vegetables, and …
Farm animals
My Indian Runner Ducks quack me up. They operate as a single unit, running in formation as though they share one brain between their 13 bodies. They’re busy birds, constantly foraging, flirting, and floating. They also love their food, gobbling it down as though it may run away, which is highly unlikely given that it’s …
Making a profit on the homestead is part of becoming self-sufficient, and we should all be looking for ways of making out homestead work for us. If you’re considering raising pheasants vs. chickens for profit, this guide will help you choose. Chickens are usually more profitable than pheasants since they are higher in demand. Still, …
Raising goats is a no-frills proposition. It can also be a lot of fun, and it is absolutely a lot of work. You must worry about clean water, feed, a pen, and last but not least, shelter – especially for winter. Luckily, building your own DIY goat shelter from a plan is pretty simple, and …
As I listen to my Dwarf Nigerian buck announcing his presence to the world at the top of his voice, I think how nice it would be to have a quieter breed of goat, like Mini LaMancha Goats. While I love the appearance of the Dwarf Nigerian, I’m not so keen on their escapology tendencies, …
If we would make a list of the world’s most hated creatures, I guarantee that the tick would make it to the top 3. These little bloodsuckers – about 700 hundred species of them – are not only pesky because they pierce our skin and suck our blood. They can also carry dangerous and debilitating …
I found a duck egg this morning after several months of watching our 12 Indian runner ducks scoffing down food without giving us anything in exchange. It made me wonder what makes them stop laying and, more importantly, why, on a cold and wet autumnal day, they suddenly decided to start again. So, When Do …
Do you know what really gets my goat? People who confuse rams with goats. True, both are kind of white and woolly with four hooves and a couple of horns, but there are some distinguishing features there if you look closely enough. Is a Ram Strangely Goatee or a Bit Sheepish? Although a ram may …
This is your complete guide to the best animals for small farms and homesteads! These are some of the best animals to raise when you’re just starting out, or even if you’re an experienced homesteader. We’ve included detailed info on animal health, the type of shelter they require, reproduction, different breeds, the equipment you’ll need, …
The arrival of a new baby goat is always a joyous occasion, but that joy can quickly turn to despair if your doe starts showing signs of mastitis. Today, we’re looking at mastitis in goats and natural treatment. A hungry baby goat is one of the noisiest creatures on our homestead, and probably on yours …
It sounds like my hens are being tortured. The shrill cries, cackles, and shrieks they make when laying an egg are enough to have the neighbors making noise complaints, or, on a particularly bad day, reporting a suspected murder. The ruckus made by my backyard chickens certainly sounds like an expression of discomfort, but do …
Not all chickens were made equal. Some, like the Polish chicken, wear their crests with all the style of the most eye-catching fascinator at Ascot while others strut around in their tufts and buffs like something out of a Jane Austen novel. Chickens with fluffy, feathered feet don’t look quite as stylish, but are very …
A chicken twisting its head upside down is a disturbing sight. A symptom of wry neck, this condition is easy to treat, if a little time-consuming, and even easier to prevent. Wry neck can be caused by different issues, all of which we’ll address below. Genetic disorders Head injury Toxins Vitamin deficiencies You can prevent …
Chickens can add a new dimension to your life, whether you’re homesteading or living in an urban environment. Their most incredible super power is their ability to produce eggs but that’s not all they’ve got going for them. What Do I Need to Know Before Buying Chickens? Chickens bring multiple benefits to your backyard, homestead, …
When you first start looking at getting pigs for your homestead it can be a bit overwhelming. Heck, any new animal is overwhelming. You’ll make a few key decisions upfront though and one of those is which breed of pig you’ll purchase. We’ll walk you through the different factors you’ll need to consider plus some …