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Pigs can be a fun and profitable addition to your farm, whether you are raising a pig for meat or to breed more pigs to sell. It can be a challenge to care for piglets, however, and you need to be ready to meet their particular needs in order to raise thriving, healthy pigs. Before You Get Piglets Before you set up room for your new piglets, check with local officials about any restrictions on raising pigs. While many communities are becoming more open to urban and hobby farming that may include chickens and other poultry as well as the...

To most individuals passing through rural areas, hay seems simple. Its dry, tough, and it feeds livestock. However there’s more to hay than meets the eye. Hay is one of those grasses where it is particularly hard to see the quality and composition. The best way to truly know the quality of hay you are using is to test it. Essentially, hay quality is affected by five major factors; stages of maturity, leafiness, color, foreign matter, and odor and condition. Out of all of these factors, the stages of maturity are the most important. The growth stage of the hay...

Turkeys can be a great addition to many backyard farms, but they aren't right for everyone. Before selecting chicks and starting a flock, it is best to understand what turkeys need and how they are different from other poultry. Before You Begin The first step in raising turkeys is to be sure they are permitted in your area. While suburban and urban backyard farms are becoming more acceptable and widespread, not all areas allow turkeys as livestock. Check city zoning codes or homeowners association regulations to be sure your turkeys will be welcome. It is also important to understand that...