livestock
Different Types of Housing for Pigs
Just like any other type of livestock, pigs have three basic requirements: food, water, and shelter. Compared to other animals, housing for pigs can be fairly minimal as long as it protects them from wind, rain, and the elements.
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How to Create a Cattle Pasture for Optimum Flavor and Fat Cover in Grass-fed Beef
With Spencer Smith – Creating the right blend of forages and grasses in a pasture to finish (fatten for slaughter) cattle is not as simple as turning the cattle out to grass. It requires timing the “finishing season” for maximum flavor and health benefits.
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Dairy Sheep – Consider Icelandic Sheep
What struck me right away when my first Icelandic sheep lambed were the similarities that these sheep had with dairy goats. I had a commercial goat dairy in years past and these ewe lamb mothers had udders that would be respectable for a good milking dairy goat.
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A Free Choice Salt Lick is Vital for Livestock Health
Add to Favorites Don’t laugh, I’m sure I’m not the only farm kid who’s done this. When I was a girl I remember licking the salt lick block in the …
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Fire Evacuation Procedures: Do You Have a Plan?
Add to Favorites Our recent fires in the state of Washington have been a lesson in preparing fire evacuation procedures. The fires swooped in so fast that there was little …
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KuneKune Pigs: A Hardy Homestead Breed
KuneKune pigs are making their way into small scale farming operations across the country. You may ask yourself what makes these pigs so special … the simple answer is everything!
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Quick Tips For Fixing Metal and Wooden Gates
Keeping metal and wooden gates in good repair can sometimes be a challenge, but is an important part of homesteading today. A sagging or broken gate can be a chore to open and shut, and may also tempt an animal to jump, lean over or crawl through, possibly injuring itself in the process or getting out on a road or into a neighbor’s place.
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Burdock Slivers Can Cause Eye Irritations
Eye problems in livestock and horses can be caused by foreign material in the eye, and one of the most challenging problems is burdock slivers. Burrs from this invasive weed stick to hair or clothing.
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Cold Weather Tips for Raising Hogs for Meat
Cold weather requires some planning for any homesteader raising hogs for meat. In the area of proper nutrition, thought and extra effort must be given to available supplies of fresh ice-free water at all times for all classes of hogs—the piglet, the weanling, growing/finishing, gestating and the lactating sow.
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6 Pig Farming Equipment Essentials for Your Farm
There are not a lot of must-have pig farming equipment items for homestead hog raising. Besides the infrastructure needed for almost any livestock, other tools are rarely used. Shelter, secure fencing, and a container to hold plenty of fresh water are the bare bones of hog raising.
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Sow Care During Farrowing and Lactation
Sow care during gestation, farrowing and lactation is the key to healthier piglets. When piglets have a strong start in life they are more likely to thrive, develop quickly, and wean easily.
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Rat-Hunting Dogs: A Historically Organic Option
Got a rat problem? You can try traps, poisons … or rat-hunting dogs. This organic concept is the reason rat terriers exist today.
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Installing Fence Posts and Keeping Them Secure
Corner and brace assemblies are fundamental for installing fence posts and fencing that lasts. A sound fence starts with quality materials and careful attention to fencing installation techniques.
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Improving Soil with Cattle and The Best Green Manure Crops
Holistic grazing and the best green manure crops naturally improve soil. Add legumes or rotational cattle grazing to revitalize land.
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Choosing Dairy Cow Breeds for Your Farm
Dairy cow breeds are numerous. How do we know the right breed for our farm or family situation?
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