Animals & livestock

You have the chickens, so what's next? Goats! Goats need less land and feed than other livestock and can serve many purposes on a homestead. But what are their needs? Photo by Kathi Rodgers A guest post by Kathi Rodgers of Oak…
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Coturnix quail. | Photo by Jenna Greene Quail are a cute, quirky alternative poultry to raise on your homestead. If you have decided to raise quail on your homestead, the next step is to choose what type of quail to get. Generally,…
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Full of personality and requiring less infrastructure than chickens, keeping waterfowl can help your homestead by guarding, keeping bugs at bay and more. Photo by Kirsten Lie-Nielsen A guest post by Kirsten Lie-Nielsen of Hostile…
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Photo by Linda Coan O'Kresik Rabbits are among the mammals that can be found all over North America, from deserts to frozen tundra and from the suburbs to inner cities. But where do rabbits live? It also means having a working…
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Packaged bees are emptied into a Fort Kent hive at the start of the season. | Photo by Julia Bayly In general, honeybees are gentle creatures who rarely sting unless provoked or feel their hive or queen are under attack. Still, can you…
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Photo by John Holyoke Loving the outdoors, wanting to put some food on the table and maybe spending some quality time with friends. These are just some of the reasons people get started with bird hunting. Upland birds are game birds…
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Wondering about rabbit breeds? Read on for our beginner's guide to rabbits, breeds and varieties. Holland lop rabbit. | Linda Coan O’Kresik The world of domestic rabbits is immense and diverse, with a long list of breeds, and within…
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Photo by Aislinn Sarnacki When it comes to feeding rabbits, many people have it all wrong thanks to Bugs Bunny, Easter decor and every other image that pairs rabbits with carrots. So what do rabbits eat? In reality, domesticated rabbits…
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Did you know that geese are good guard animals? Learn why in this an excerpt from The Modern Homesteader's Guide to Keeping Geese by Kirstein Lie-Nielsen. The Farmer's Alarm System Geese have been used as guardian animals for…
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Mangalitsa piglets. | Photo by Tim Winkler If you’re considering moving away from conventional breeds to add a little diversity to the livestock on your small farm or homestead, Mangalitsa pigs are a great hog with a rich history. …
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Cute, fluffy and peeping up a storm, it’s never too early to prepare for chicks arriving in the spring. Janice Bouchard gently "stirs" some of the 1,200 baby chicks at her Bouchard Country Store in Maine to make sure they don't press…
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Interested in raising chickens but not sure if you're ready to commit? This chicken rental service will help you find out. Photo by Julia Bayly Raising laying hens is a great way to put fresh eggs on the table every day. But not…
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