Eggs are one of those truly perfect foods. Self-contained, delicious, nutritious and super adaptable it is no wonder that eggs are a foundational food to pretty much every culture around the world. Eggs from all kinds of birds are prepared and eaten in all kinds of ways by themselves, and used as ingredients in countless … Read more
There’s always a lot to do in your garden when it’s planting season. No matter where you live, no matter what you are planting, it seems like that checklist never ends. But like any endeavor, nailing the basics is usually the most important thing you can do if you want to ensure success. If you … Read more
A cow’s diet a crucial factor in their health and productivity, whether you are raising cows for meat or for milk. And cows are herbivores, which means they primarily pretty much solely on plants, and that means that feeding them the right plants, in the right amounts, is going to be essential if you want … Read more
These are, strictly speaking, omnivores but practically they tend to be considered herbivores because they subsist almost entirely on a diet of plant matter. Geese eat all kinds of plants, from grasses and shrubs to flowers and more. Although not usually considered a typical food for geese, they also eat various kinds of fruit. They … Read more
If you ever look at a herd of cows standing around out in the field, they usually look a little sad. They just stand around, chewing their cud. And of course, everybody knows how infamously grumpy bulls can be. But is it possible that cows can be happy, even friendly? And do cows play amongst … Read more
Timing is everything when gardening. No matter what kind of garden you have and how it is set up, you’ve got to know how long it will take your plantings to germinate so you can plan effectively for their ongoing care. Sitting and waiting leads to doubt, and doubt often leads to mistakes that can … Read more
One of the strangest things I remember growing up in the country, and one that I still think about all the time, is when I’d occasionally hear cows out in the field at night. They didn’t sound panicked, they didn’t sound stressed. But you could hear them mooing and moving around, and the gentle clank … Read more
One of the funny things that humanity shares with most animals, at least most animals that live on land, is that they sneeze. Sometimes this is downright hilarious, when your dog or cat gets a sneezing fit, other times it can be frightening if they’re sick or struggling to get something out of their nose. … Read more
It is really easy to think of cows as these plodding, huge brutes that sort of slouch from one place to the other. Every once in a while one of them will get startled and take off at a modest trot, bell tinkling musically. That is, it’s easy to think that until you make a … Read more
When it comes to raising livestock, birds have a lot to recommend them. They don’t take up nearly as much room as larger mammals, they produce a variety of useful products, and they are easy to handle. Everyone knows and loves chickens, but there are plenty of other domestic poultry species to raise besides them. … Read more
Some of the very best plants for beginning gardeners to grow are leafy salad vegetables. Most are highly adaptable to being grown indoors or out, in the ground or in containers, and they typically grow quickly with minimal care requirements. But no matter which kind you are growing, it’s important that you get the spacing … Read more
Potatoes are a staple in many households all around the world, and also a popular inclusion in home gardens. They are relatively easy to grow, however, one crucial factor that directly affects the yield and quality of your potatoes is how deep they are planted. Planting depth is often overlooked or easily ignored, but it … Read more
Birds are some of the most interesting animals to me. Apparently, I’m not alone based on the skyrocketing interest in keeping chickens and ducks, and also in birdwatching generally… Ducks in particular tend to be beautiful creatures, very colorful and certainly a lot of fun to look at. But we also see trends concerning their … Read more
Out of all the risk factors attended to a survival situation, statistically one of the most common is simple exposure. Exposure to the elements, and specifically cold temperatures, routinely claims lives in the wild and also in residential settings, and hypothermia can strike with surprising speed even when you think you’ll be okay. Accordingly, being … Read more
Donkeys are known for many things. Stubbornness, endurance, and of course that iconic laugh. This unique “laughing” sound, which is often seen as a sign of happiness or bemusement, is the stock sound that we associate with donkeys! However, this sound might just be misunderstood by humans who interpret it in the context of their … Read more
The lives of many plants start with a single seed. It’s pretty miraculous when you think about it. But that is going to be of no comfort if you run into a seed when snacking on fruit, or if a relative finds one in your homemade pie! If you’re tired of dealing with annoying seeds … Read more