There are plenty of videos out there showing bunnies making a mess while munching away on fruit, and while the behavior is highly adorable it is also questionable: Most folks who own rabbits know that they shouldn’t get too much sweet stuff in their diet! Excess sugar has a way of causing big problems for … Read more
Mice might be cute and cuddly in controlled circumstances, but pretty much every homesteader knows by now that they are a giant problem when they are on your property. They can terrorize chickens and eat eggs, infest and ruin livestock feed, spread disease, and tear up your house- aside from making everything filthy. You need … Read more
Compared to most other livestock species, chickens can enjoy a surprising variety of foods. Yes, they subsist mostly on chicken feed but it’s possible they can have grass, bugs, meat, vegetables, and even fruit. But like most birds, chickens can only have fruit and limited quantities, and even then, only the kinds that are safe. … Read more
Rabbits, somewhat surprisingly, actually have a pretty narrow temperature range where they are comfortable. It’s not uncommon to see them running around in the middle of the summer and even when it’s starting to get very cold out in late fall. Nonetheless, rabbits can suffer from hypothermia and hyperthermia alike. What temperatures are too hot … Read more
Deer are amazing and majestic animals, and they also make for good sport when hunting, but if I’ve learned anything these past few years is that they’re among the most destructive, persistent, and difficult-to-stop and garden pests there are. Worse, deer eat almost anything. Anything that you’re growing in your garden for eating (corn, veggies, … Read more
Pigs are a study in contrast. The great thing about them is that they have such a varied diet they are easy to feed compared to other kinds of livestock that are strictly herbivores. Plus, it’s always in your best interest to feed pigs enough food so they grow big and grow quickly. Not difficult, … Read more
Chickens are omnivores, and as such, they can eat a really varied diet. They eat bugs, a little bit of meat, various kinds of plant matter, chicken feed of course, and even some fruits and veggies. The latter two in particular make great healthy treats for chickens. But it rarely fails that most owners want … Read more
For most of us, keeping a supply of fresh eggs going is the number one reason for owning chickens. It’s an exciting time when your girls start laying! Heading out in the morning to collect the bounty you work so hard for and- what’s this? An egg is broken! Worse than broken, it is mostly … Read more
Pigs are omnivores, and among all of the common livestock animals, they certainly have the most wide-ranging diet. They eat meat, grains, dairy products, fruit, and of course vegetables. Vegetables actually play a pretty important role in the diet of most domestic pigs, but despite the big appetites they can’t eat quite every veggie there … Read more
If you’ve ever been up close with a beehive, assuming you weren’t running for your life, you’ve probably been as astounded as I was by the sheer number of bees inhabiting it. Thousands and thousands – countless – bees all working and living in harmony for the good of the hive. It’s absolutely amazing! But … Read more
Pigs need the right kind of diet if they’re going to grow quickly and stay healthy. But sometimes, it’s good to give your pigs a special treat. Something that will make them feel good, keep them happy, and give them a little bit of energy. And as you know already, they can eat all sorts … Read more
It’s good for domestic rabbits to get a varied diet. Although the primary component in their diet is hay or grass, along with some leafy greenery, fruits, and vegetables play a part by giving them nutrients they wouldn’t get otherwise and also helping them to break out of menu fatigue. Bored rabbits can turn into … Read more
The feeding habits of rabbits are funny when you stop to consider them. Domestic and wild rabbits alike have a fairly one-track diet, consisting mostly grass or hay with other leafy greenery in abundance. Anything else they might eat is almost incidental in nature. But, the funny part is that they will also eat pretty … Read more
When it comes to giving your birds a high standard of living, one of the very best things you can do for them is free-ranging. Letting them explore, stretch their legs, and find choice bits of “real” food is always going to be good for them. But free-ranging comes with risks, namely the fact that … Read more
Whenever the weather warms up and bees and other stinging insects start taking to wing, it’s only natural to wonder how long they’re going to be around. If they are flying all over your backyard, sometimes it can feel like they’re going to be there forever! But most insects don’t have long life spans. Let’s … Read more
It’s no secret that wild and domestic rabbits alike eat a diet that is primarily made up of greenery: grass in the wild, hay in captivity, and a mixture of leafy greens in both settings. But they also, occasionally, get other sorts of vegetables and plant matter in their diet though they don’t need much. … Read more