Many chicken-keepers mount nest boxes inside the coop, either set on the floor or attached to an inside wall. This is one valid option, with at least three downsides. The top of the nest box offers a surface on which chickens can roost and deposit … Read More

The factory-farm sector has been guilty of trying to make of the hog a creature that nature never intended it to be: lapdog docile for a life in crates and crowded compounds, with a fat rind that’s potato-chip thin, bred to the uniformity of a … Read More

Be careful what you wish for. You might get it. You might even like it. That's the case for Storey’s Guide to Raising Rabbits, a book now in its fifth edition. As a kid, I liked rabbits and writing. While … Read More

For a lot of us, our pets are members of the family. Our plans would not be complete without thinking about their needs as well as our own. Most pets have few requirements for remaining happy and healthy. They need food and water, a place … Read More

Newly hatched chicks are not entirely helpless, but until they grow a full complement of feathers, you’ll need to keep them warm, dry, and safe. Like any other babies, they must also be kept clean and well fed. Here are a few dos and don’ts … Read More

Our flagship series of books on animal husbandry — Storey’s Guides to Raising — was born in 1975, during the Back to the Land movement. It began with a book on raising poultry, another on dairy goats, and a … Read More

I know that love exists between chickens. It’s clearly evident that they care about one another’s well-being and can form special bonds — including those of the romantic variety. What governs the affections of roosters and hens, and how do they express their amorous intentions? … Read More

My Morgan mares look more beautiful than ever in winter. Their coats are deep bright bay — Robin’s redder, Martha’s darker — clean and fluffy with an extra shine that seems to come from within. During storms they are frosted thick with snow, like lovely … Read More

I’ve written before about the potential dangers of essential oils when it comes to pets. Recently a flurry of posts has appeared online about beloved pet cats becoming critically ill when exposed to essential oils through home diffusers. These heartbreaking stories serve … Read More

Goat Milk as “Medicine” The healthful aspect of goat milk is as legendary as goats’ aroma and their preference for tin cans but with a more positive spin and a lot more basis in truth. A few savvy doctors do, in fact, prescribe goat milk … Read More