If you’ve owned goats for any length of time, you already know how mischievous, and destructive, they can be if they aren’t kept engaged and entertained. I would go so far as to say that 90% of breakouts are due to boredom and boredom alone. It might seem like an impossible task trying to keep … Read more
Most folks already know that pigs eat all kinds of foods, from vegetables like carrots and potatoes to various kinds of fruit and grains and, of course, meat. Typically, pigs are happy to get any meat that you will give them, and seemingly no cut is beneath them. They will even eat pork from their … Read more
When it comes to sheep, if you’ve spent any time as a shepherd or you’re just interested in these animals generally, you’re certainly familiar with the famous Merinos, Suffolks, Hampshires, and Dorpers. And there are many other common domestic breeds besides, but what if you don’t want a common breed of sheep? What if you … Read more
When it comes to feeding domestic rabbits, most owners are happy to give their furry friends a diet of hay, some pellets, and occasional inclusions of whole foods. Those whole foods usually take the form of fruits and vegetables that rabbits might conceivably have access to in the wild. It’s a great way to add … Read more
I think everyone knows by now that bees make honey, and that more importantly, it is absolutely delicious. For plenty of beekeepers, this is the number one reason why they got into the practice in the first place! But on the topic, have you ever stopped to consider why bees make honey in the first … Read more
One thing that most people know about pigs is that they have a huge appetite. We don’t use the expression “eating like a pig” for nothing! But what some people don’t know is just how varied the diet of a pig can be: Pigs can eat all sorts of foods, including a huge variety of … Read more
For domestic pigs, one of the most important things you can do is get their diet dialed in. This is easier said than done, because you’ve got to make sure they are hitting all of their nutritional goals while growing steadily and staying happy. Pigs will eat all sorts of things and that can make … Read more
Bees are among the most industrious insects on Earth. We should be thankful for these hard-working pollinators, because without them, so many crops that we depend on would basically fail entirely. However, as necessary as they are, bees can also be big pests, particularly when they decide to set up a thriving hive inside the … Read more
Pretty much everyone knows by now that pigs have incredibly varied diets. There’s almost nothing that they cannot eat safely and get nutrition from. That’s one of the great things about owning pigs! But depending on who you ask, you might hear some strong opinions concerning whether or not pigs can, or should, eat meat. … Read more
I think it is safe to say that most folks know that pigs eat meat. Yes, they eat a lot of other things but compared to most of our livestock, it’s pigs, and I guess chickens, that we think of as the meat-eaters. And chickens mostly eat bugs, so they don’t count! But pigs can … Read more
Out of all the different livestock species, pigs are the ones with the reputation for being big and adventurous eaters. In fact, it is easier to list the things that pigs can’t eat rather than list the things that they will! There’s a lot of truth to this, but nonetheless, pigs still can’t eat quite … Read more
I don’t know about you, but for me, one of the best times around the homestead is when I have a batch of precious, sweet little chicks in the brooder box. I just love the little things. But if you are new to keeping chickens and going through the same thing you probably noticed that … Read more
A gardener’s work is never done, and some of the most urgent and persistent annoyances you’ll have to deal with in your garden are mammalian pests. From rabbits and deer to raccoons and even the occasional possum, there’s nothing most mammals love more than scarfing up the produce you’ve worked so hard to grow. But … Read more
If the first word that comes to your mind when you think of sheep is wool, you aren’t alone. Sheep are indeed the world’s most important wool-producing livestock species. But what you might not know is it not all sheep actually produce wool. Even the ones that do, including the ones that are well-known for … Read more
Bees are some of the most important pollinators in nature, but what you might not know is that there are tens and tens of thousands of different species around the world. They’re all a little bit different, and one of the most interesting is the carpenter bee… Sometimes referred to as wood bees or erroneously … Read more
One of the most exciting times on any homestead is when one of your animals is due to deliver a baby. And it always means there’s going to be a lot to do, but the joy and wonder associated with a new addition to your flock or herd is always a special time. But in … Read more