Alpacas thrive on a high-fibre, balanced diet and good care. This guide covers everything you need to know about feeding, housing, and looking after alpacas in the UK—whether you keep them for fibre, breeding, or companionship.
Introduction Ostriches are the world’s largest birds and, while still relatively rare, are becoming more popular on UK smallholdings and farms. Whether you’re keeping them for meat, eggs, breeding, or simply as impressive additions to your land, providing the right...
July brings the height of summer to UK smallholdings, with long days, rapid growth, and fresh challenges. This month’s journal shares practical advice on grazing, water, bedding, poultry care, pest control, and fencing—plus trusted Chestnut Mill products to help your animals stay healthy and comfortable all season long.
Explore the essential practices of sustainable livestock farming in this comprehensive guide. Learn how to balance animal health, nutrition, and eco-friendly techniques to enhance productivity while safeguarding the environment. Discover how technology, community collaboration, and continuous education play crucial roles in this multifaceted approach, paving the way for responsible and ethical farming.
In this comprehensive guide, explore effective seasonal strategies for feeding, sheltering, and monitoring livestock. Designed for smallholders and farming enthusiasts, this article offers valuable insights to ensure the health and productivity of your farm animals throughout the year. Discover practical advice tailored to each season's unique challenges and opportunities.
Introduction to the Lambing Period As lambing season nears, proper preparation is paramount to ensure a smooth and successful period on the farm. Understanding the fundamentals of lambing is critical whether you're a novice or an experienced smallholder. Preparation involves...
January on the farm is surprisingly busy. It is the perfect time to start spreading slurry on fields to boost silage or hay production that will be harvested later in the year. A ground frost is perfect for this as...
May is the month in which the attention turns to the silage fields. Livestock are removed from these fields and fertiliser spread so that 6 weeks of growth can take place before being cut for silage. Lambs have their tails...
