Our Animals

How to help your cattle and sheep get through the cold months.

They might seem like easy-going fluff-faces, but alpacas require more care and attention than many owners realise.

With lifestyle block sales booming over the last two years, there’ll undoubtedly be some green sheep owners nervously facing their first-ever lambing.

Sometimes the chicken coop can hold bad news.

What you need to know if you've ever considered owning pigs.

Rats are clever, and controlling them takes a multi-pronged approach.

The appearance of a chicken’s comb can tell you a lot about how it's feeling.

Adding wholegrains to chicken feed boosts meat production efficiency.

Many people prefer to use natural health strategies for their livestock, but there’s a lot of misinformation on what works, and what doesn't.

Keep your livestock healthy this summer and autumn.

New research shows it’s probably because it was daring, but a bit dim.

A practical, open air coop is also sculpture on a unique farm.

The mystery of the lumpy lamb

A little lamb has a very big lump, and a mystery cause.

The critter has a pretty significant impact in New Zealand.

Planning for common pest problems is crucial.

Treating unusual species is a regular occurrence for a lifestyle block vet, and this one had a big problem.

Connect with local farmers and food producers at during this fun, family day out.

Late summer showers can bring on a host of problems to keep in check.

9 protein-packed treats for your chooks

Poultry need specific amino acids in protein to be healthy. Here are nine easy ways to enrich their diet.

Poultry may instinctively stay away from toxic substances and plants, but they will eat them if they’re hungry, overly curious, or just make a mistake.

When wet weather makes traditional hay making a drama, Rebecca Stewart finds making tree fodder hay a much more enjoyable process.

New Zealand has the largest known population of feral ferrets in the world.

Anyone who raises lambs or goat kids will be familiar with the dreaded bloat. Here's how to treat the different types you may see.

Here's how to grow a good-sized dinner and process it safely.

Probiotics can benefit your birds from birth, helping them to grow faster and preventing diseases.

A handy guide for when you find something gross.

Oils and jellies that can prevent your chooks from getting mites.

When summer is really hot, a Tucson coop with the right angles is still a cool place.

Seven years ago, David and Jennifer Rodrigue were townies, dreaming of the country. Today, they produce award-winning boutique cheeses and share their lives with a herd of happy princesses.

When and how to safely wean young livestock.

Navigate the plethora of suggestions and pick out what's right and wrong for your chooks.

Young livestock need antibodies for good immunity, but some miss out. Dr Sarah Clews outlines why they’re important, and a new option she offers.

A poultry specialist debunks myths about natural products for chicken health.

In a large flock, a sudden death rate above 2% is of great concern. But it can be far more challenging for small flock owners when one dead hen equals a 10% death rate.