Our Animals

John Earney is a collector of many old things, including traditional livestock breeds.

Poo is a useful indicator of flock health, and a possible early warning sign of an illness if you know good poo from bad.

Marine Medics

New Zealand’s waters are awash with cetaceans. But sadly, while almost half of the world’s dolphin, whale and porpoise species call New Zealand’s waters home or visit here during their annual migration, every year some tragically end up stranded on our beaches requiring help to return to the ocean.

If there is a possibility of lead contamination on your block, testing is crucial despite its costs.

A nature-loving group in the Bay of Plenty revives the local kōkako population year by year. It’s now one of the largest in the country.

Keeping Chickens NZ's Andrea Graves looks at a study into lead concentrations found in backyard hens and their eggs.

How to identify birds and encourage birdlife in your backyard.

We all want to feed our birds the very best, but do they need extra calcium? Or grit? Or is it all the same thing? Poultry expert Sue Clarke explains.

If you have chickens, you have flies. Here are five good options to quiet their buzz.

A Rotorua falconer takes flight, spreading his love for Aotearoa’s native birds of prey.

When it comes to looking stylish, it turns out Valais sheep use the same conditioner as other supermodels.

Look after your chooks in the summer heat and avoid pesky red mite with these handy tips.

If you like the benefits of keeping chickens, you’re going to love having ducks.

If you own poultry, at some point one of the flock may die, seemingly for no reason.

Location is critical for bees, and your neighbours.

Bees might appear to be lovely insects, busy making honey, but life can be short and brutal.

It’s important to look for a cause of a disability so you can avoid it in the future.

They moved to the country to live off the land. But it took a few odd years to find the right animal for their block.

Old poultry require special attention, and good decisions about their care.

Frozen in Time – the New Zealand Mountain Stone Weta

The New Zealand mountain stone wētā is a superhero of the invertebrate world possessing powers worthy of character inclusion in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Found in the alpine zone above the tree line of the Southern Alps, it’s the largest insect able to be frozen in time without dying.

A chicken doesn’t appear to be a complicated bird, but the social structure of a flock is complex.

A DIY guide to creating a green chicken coop.

Drench resistance is a big problem on NZ farms, and you risk bringing it onto your block every time you buy livestock.

Here's how to keep your farm animals happy as the seasons change.

This paper kiwi is an easy origami project for beginners and kids. Make one to celebrate the Bird of the Year competition.

Keep an eye on these common factors for your best chance at a successful hatch.

Kelly Wilson spent two years camping on mountain ranges, deserts and plains across the globe observing the behaviour of wild horses for her new book, Wild Horses of the World.

John Bissell is sharing his strategies on how we can be predator-free by 2050.

Dog trainer Christine Nielsen shares her tips for helping your dog to see your chickens as friends, not dinner.

Knowing the cause of a chick abnormality can help you prevent it in your next hatch.

If your cow has the right temperament, she can turn grass into milk, steak, and money.

Feather loss is normally quite natural in poultry, but it can also be a sign of a serious health issue.

It's all too easy to get charmed by a sweet-faced alpaca. But it pays to do some research before taking the plunge.

A long-time pug owner opens up her home — and heart — to give rescue dogs a happier, heathier life.