When it comes to raising livestock, minimizing stress is key. As humans, we find a little bit of stress a good thing. Stress in small doses can encourage us to get our work done on time, to ...
The Advantages of Using AI Breeding for Pigs
For almost as long as my husband and I have raised pigs on our farm, we have relied on AI breeding (artificial insemination) to get the job done. Although AI is the norm when it comes to ...
7 Herbs to Improve Your Dog’s Health and How to Use Them
You know herbs are invaluable in the kitchen and for medicinal purposes. Where would we be without chamomile tea to help us sleep or parsley on our pasta? But did you know you can use herbs to keep ...
Footrot in Sheep: Causes, Symptoms, Prevention, and Treatment
Every few months, it’s time for my husband and I to head out to the sheep barn and complete one of our least-favorite tasks. What is this dreaded activity, you might ask? For some, it’s mucking out ...
What Are Vegetarian-Fed Chickens and What’s the Deal with Them?
Every time I walk into the grocery store (which, thankfully, isn’t all that often), I find myself increasingly frustrated with the way that food producers choose to market their products. There are ...
Everything You Need to Know About the Dorper Sheep
If you’re thinking about raising sheep, you’re likely going to find yourself with plenty of decisions to make. Where will you house your sheep? Will they be raised primarily for meat, wool, ...
What To Do If You Find an Abandoned Wild Baby Animal
Farms, homesteads, and urban gardens are full of wildlife. It's exciting to observe it and know you are part of that natural world. But what happens a wild baby animal is abandoned or injured and ...
How to Help Your Ewes Bond with Their Lambs Effectively
In the time that I have been raising sheep, I have been very fortunate in that my ewes have fantastic maternal instincts. As soon as their lambs are born, they are with them, caring for them, ...
The Ins and Outs of Pasture Rotation for Healthy Sustainability
If you’re not raising your livestock on pasture, you are truly missing out. Unfortunately, for most people, raising animals involves putting them in a feedlot setting where they remain all ...