Poultry Basics: Chickens & Ducks

Poultry Basics: Chickens & Ducks Raising backyard chickens and ducks is a rewarding hobby that can provide fresh eggs, natural pest control, and lively companionship. Whether you’re a first-time keeper or moving from a single hen to a mixed flock, understanding breeds, feeding, and coop management will help your birds stay healthy and productive. This …

Shelter and Housing Essentials – Designing Safe, Comfortable Barns and Shelters

Introduction Good shelter is one of the most important investments you can make for the health and well-being of your animals. Whether you keep livestock, poultry, or companion farm animals, a well-designed barn or shelter protects against weather extremes, reduces stress, and helps prevent predator attacks. This guide covers practical design principles and essentials you …

Caring for Dairy Cows: Practical Daily Care, Milking Routines, and Nutrition

Managing a healthy, productive dairy herd starts with reliable daily routines and attention to nutrition, housing, and milking hygiene. Whether you’re a new smallholder or managing a larger operation, consistent practices reduce disease, improve milk quality, and increase longevity in the herd. Daily checks and routine Start each day with a quick but thorough walk-through. …

Feeding Strategies for Livestock: Balanced Plans for Cattle, Sheep, and Pigs

Feeding Strategies for Livestock Creating balanced feeding programs for cattle, sheep, and pigs is essential to animal health, productivity, and farm profitability. A successful strategy considers forage quality, concentrates, mineral and vitamin supplementation, water availability, and seasonal needs. The following guidance covers practical approaches for different classes of livestock and outlines seasonal adjustments and supplement …

Preventing Common Animal Illnesses on Small Farms

Preventing Common Animal Illnesses: Recognition, Vaccination, and Biosecurity for Small Farms Keeping livestock healthy on a small farm requires attentive observation, sound vaccination practices, and practical biosecurity measures. Early recognition of disease, combined with prevention strategies, reduces animal suffering, protects farm income, and lowers the risk of zoonotic transmission. This post summarizes key signs to …