Sue Ferreri

How to

Care for Sheep

Sheep are grazing mammals often kept as livestock on farms. Sheep can be used for meat, wool and milk. Sheep generally have a lifespan of 6 to 14 years. When well cared for, sheep can live up to 20 years. Sheep are adapt...

How to

Catch a Chicken

Raising chickens is a popular past-time among homeowners, homesteaders, and even people in urban areas. It is a great way to get fresh eggs on a near daily basis. However, sometimes chickens can get loose and you will ne...

How to

Grow Hay

Whether you need it for livestock or other uses, growing hay at home is a cheap and easy alternative to purchasing it in bulk. Depending on your preferences, you can use grass, alfalfa, or a mixture of both to make hay. ...

How to

Hogtie a Pig

Hogtying a pig is when you bind its four legs together with a rope. This is done to keep the pig from walking away or standing up. A pig should only be hogtied when it is being quickly treated or branded and not when you...

How to

Plow a Field

Plowing (sometimes spelled "ploughing") is the process of turning over and loosening the top layer of soil. This makes it easier for seedling crops to take root and has the added benefit of removing crop residue and weed...

How to

Grow Your Own Food

All the tips you need to sustainably grow food in your backyard For all of human history, people have managed to feed themselves, either by fishing, hunting, gathering, or subsistence farming. Nowadays, we can simply hea...

How to

Develop a Kitchen Garden

A kitchen garden contains plants that are grown to be eaten. Kitchen vegetable gardens can range from simple potted plants to raised-bed gardens and can also be part of larger, multipurpose gardens. They are usually near...

How to

Raise Bucket Calves

Bucket calves, so named because of how they’re fed from birth until weaning, are easy to raise. In fact, for children interested in caring for livestock; raising bucket calves may be the perfect project. If you or your...

How to

Care for a Donkey

Donkeys, with their sweet faces and gentle, intelligent nature, make wonderful pets. They don't deserve their reputation for stubbornness: in fact, they're smart and contemplative. Donkeys need a few acres of space, a dr...

How to

Find Where Your Hen Lays Eggs

Chickens are notorious for running off to lay their eggs in hidden spots. Of course, if you're collecting a chicken's eggs, you don't want to go on a hunt every day to find them! You can try following your chickens to se...

What’s the Difference Between Farms & Ranches?

Here’s a hint: one has crops, and the other has animalsYou’re driving down the road past acres and acres of farmland, zooming by fields of corn and grazing cattle. But is this beautiful landscape considered a farm or...

How to

Clean a Chicken Coop

Chickens require a clean coop for a healthy life. Cleaning your coop requires considering the size of your coop and flock. Choosing the right tools and materials is a big part of cleaning the coop successfully. Think ...

How to

Get a Government Grant for a Farm in the U.S.

Farming requires a large investment in land, labor, and equipment. Federal and state governments recognize that farming must be supported to maintain our food supply. As a result, the government provides grants to farmer...

How to

Stack Hay

Stacking hay is hard work! Hay bales are heavy and they can't be stacked haphazardly. They need to be positioned in specific ways to prevent damage. To protect your bales from mold, always build stacks on wooden pallets....

How to

Care for a Miniature Potbellied Pig

Miniature potbellied pigs are clean, intelligent and social pets. A miniature potbelly pig can be a great pet for you, but make sure you can care for one adequately. A potbelly pig will need proper food and shelter. You ...

How to

Feed Chickens during the Winter

Feeding chickens over the winter months takes some special considerations. Chickens, especially hens, generally need more food in the winter. You will also want to make sure your chickens have extra protein to keep their...