Which Animals Should I Keep as a Smallholder?
New to smallholding? Dreaming of starting your own smallholding? Want to learn more about starting a smallholding?
Richard, the owner of Green Fields Home Kill and Butchery, shares calm, welfare-led advice for new smallholders on choosing sheep, goats, and chickens, feeding without grazing, fencing lessons, and buying livestock in the UK based on his experiences as a smallholder in Cambridgehshire.
How to Talk to Children About Raising Livestock for Meat | A Gentle Smallholding Guide
How do you explain raising livestock for meat to children in a calm, honest way?
Written by Sarah at Elkadiri Mini Farm - This isn’t a guide or a rulebook. It’s simply how we’ve approached these conversations: honestly, gently, and with respect for both our animals and our children.
This blog explores care, welfare, curiosity, and family conversations on the smallholding.
When are your Sheep or Goats Ready for Home Kill
Not sure if your sheep or goats are truly ready for home kill?
This guide walks through the simple signs smallholders can rely on — from age and breed to body condition, growth plateau, and welfare considerations. It also explains when transport to an abattoir isn’t suitable and why on-farm home kill can be the calmest, most practical option.
A must-read for anyone planning their livestock management with confidence