Our Animals

Rudi Robberts stares into the eye of the bee swarm.

The doggedness of two Raglan friends - plus a supportive community - helped launch a posh pet brand

A Southland couple have turned their block into an internationally-recognised wetland of importance, and a safe haven for one of NZ's rare birds.

Spring can be a confusing season for the flock owner who wants eggs, and equally confusing for hens who want to be mothers.

Kelly Wilson back in the saddle saving the snowy brumbies

Kelly Wilson’s work with wild horses is a family affair - but it nearly didn’t happen.

Angela Beer didn't even know she was a dog person until she met her beloved Dunhill, and she had even less idea just how far that love would take her.

If you want your hens to lay eggs in the right place, the most basic requirement is a nest they'll like over all others. But hens have some odd views on what they prefer.

12 tips for sheep in spring

Getting ready for lambing is the main priority, and this means being prepared for surprises like early lambs which weren’t planned and which often die.

Sometimes a chicken bites off more than it can chew. Well, technically, more than it can grind.Sometimes a chicken bites off more than it can chew. Well, technically, more than it can grind.

Some animals in an orchard are your friends and some are a definite no-no

Water cooler: fun with soap, why NZ avocados are very special, and chicks for Ag Day

Just the mention of Marek’s disease arouses dread in many poultry keepers, but there is a lot of misinformation around which only serves to enhance those fears.

One simple injection can be a life-saver for cold or weak lambs.

This week in the water cooler we: celebrate clever New Zealand scientists at the KiwiNet awards and take our horses to the dentist  (yikes).

The health and performance of your adult cattle throughout their lives all comes down to the very first feed they receive in the hours after their birth.

One of the enduring myths about commercial poultry is that poultry producers worldwide use growth hormones to make broilers grow faster and produce more meat.

Winter may appear as the dull period at the end of the farming year, but there’s much to do and learn about management for spring.

This llama farmer is so dedicated to her quest to find and save the real llamas of New Zealand, she is making a life-changing move to a new home on a new island.

The 2017 National Poultry Show is a celebration of NZ’s oldest poultry club, and its members are all stars of a chick flick with a difference.

The director of the new film Pecking Order talks about the bizarre world of poultry showing, and how a brain tumour has shaped his outlook on life.

Lifestyle block owners and city dwellers can breed a healthy profit by introducing Japanese Quail as an option for quick profit 'turn around', by becoming a supplier of fancy eggs.

The rarest pig breed in the world is teetering on the brink of extinction, and the few people working to save it would love some help from anyone who enjoys the company of pigs, and a good slice or three of the tastiest bacon around.

Hedgehogs present a prickly problem, being both garden friend and foe.

There are purebreds, heritage breeds, hybrids, strains, crossbreeds and ‘barnyard specials’ which can make it hard to work out exactly what kind of bird you have.

David and Heather Bridson love their alpaca, but there are good reasons why they're not David's favourite animal to farm.

May 6 is National Alpaca Day, prepare for a cuteness overload when meeting Rosebud the premature cria, and learn 7 things about alpaca.

Alpaca farmer David Bridson explains why a few myths are somewhat unfair to the sweet-faced alpaca.

Everything you need to know to thoroughly clean your coop and chicken run to help keep it smelling sweet and healthy.

Meet Sean and Jodi Brosnahan – East Coast farmers, breeders of supreme Angus beef and winners of the inaugural Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards 2017.

A family of 10-15 rabbits is the equivalent of an adult sheep grazing - here's five ways to to keep them under control.

How to keep animals calm after a disaster and how to plan for animal evacuation.

There are many environmental factors that can stress your chickens out, but knowing how to recognise the signs early will help make them happier and healthier faster.

Distracted by saddlebacks and robins, Insider’s Guide editor Cheree Morrison never expected to trip over a kiwi.