We dedicated much of our 6-hectare small-holding to raising free-range pigs for ten years. Although we had a few challenges along the way, our pigs were generally happy, healthy, and bordering on profitability. Can you have free-ranging pigs? Certain pig breeds can be free-ranged. Free-ranging pigs allow them to play an essential role in your […]
Guide to Free-Ranging Pigs: Pigs Per Acre, Fencing, Feed Read More »
Donkeys are fun to have around and make excellent companions. Not only can they keep alpacas company, but they can also guard sheep and entertain ponies and children! Having descended from the desert-dwelling wild ass, the donkey is generally healthy, low maintenance, and resilient against many diseases and illnesses. Why does my donkey look
10 Most Dangerous Health Issues for Donkeys Read More »
Miniature horses are known to be less expensive than your average Quarterhorse, right? While a miniature horse may cost considerably less to buy and care for, there are numerous expenses you must be prepared for. How much do miniature horses cost? Miniature horses cost between $500-$1,300 to buy. One miniature horse costs around $158.77-$256.59
How Much Do Miniature Horses Cost to Buy, Raise? Full Guide Read More »
Whether you are raising chickens as pets or as an income-generating sideline, having your chickens die is traumatic and potentially costly. Chickens (especially small or young ones) may die for no apparent reason. At least, that’s what it felt like when I started farming a few chickens on my smallholding. I had done everything
Why Is My Chicken Dying? Everything You Need to Know Read More »
Yesterday, I gave my pig a few plums that got overripe before I had the chance to eat them. It was only an hour or two later that I started to worry. What if he choked on one of the pits? I quickly ran outside to check on him and was relieved to find him
Good Vegetables for Pigs: What Do Pigs Eat? (Potbellied, Mini, Hogs, All) Read More »
With a sizzlingly hot summer on the cards, we’re all going to be looking for effective ways to cool down. Unlike humans, pigs have very few sweat glands, and those it does have aren’t particularly effective for temperature control. Are pigs prone to heat stress? Pigs are more likely to develop heat stress because
Pig Sunburns, Heatstroke, Heat Stress: Pig Summer Heat Care Read More »
It was my family’s first winter at the homestead, and the winters out here can be harsh. The children begged us to move their bunnies into the house for the winter, as it was simply too cold to leave them in their outdoor rabbit enclosure. My husband and I tried to figure out how
How to Litter Train a Rabbit 15 Steps: The Ultimate Guide Read More »
When I first got a donkey, I was not expecting the sudden nips and full-on teeth smacking bites that such a small equid could launch at me! After all, I had raised horses for many years, and I had believed myself capable of “reading” a donkey. I didn’t understand why my new donkey was
Stop Your Donkey From Biting: It Is Possible! Read More »
We all love shopping, but there is nothing as complicated to buy as a piece of land to call your own. There are so many considerations, so many “oh, I would love that” or “no, I don’t want that” moments in the whole process. When I started shopping for my first parcel of land
Homesteading: Buying Your First Parcel of Land Read More »
You glance out the window to see your two horses frolicking in the field, playing. Suddenly they stand close together like a mirror image, and one stretches her neck out to plant small, repetitive bites on her companion’s rump. The gelding mimics her, and for several minutes they’re lost to the world as they
Horse Allogrooming: Understanding Social Grooming For Owners Read More »
