Whether you have chicks or laying hens, every stage of life has different nutritional requirements. Laying hens benefit from a Homefarmer calcium-rich layer feed to produce strong eggshells, while growing chicks need a protein-rich starter feed for healthy development. With the feeds and grain mixes from Homefarmer, you can nourish your chickens like a professional. Supplement their diet with suitable kitchen scraps, vegetables such as lettuce or carrots, and a little extra grain as an occasional treat. Grit is essential, as chickens have no teeth and use it to grind their food in the gizzard. And, of course, always provide unlimited fresh drinking water - the key to fresh eggs every day.

Chickens are active foragers that love scratching, pecking, dust bathing, and exploring. The more outdoor space they have, the happier they will be.Provide a sturdy, draught-free coop with enough nesting boxes (one for every three to four hens), comfortable perches for roosting, and secure fencing to protect them from predators such as foxes and martens.

A dust bath filled with sand or ash helps keep their feathers free from parasites. Growing chicks should have their own warm, sheltered area with a heat lamp until they are strong enough to join the rest of the flock.

Chickens are social animals with a clear pecking order - which is exactly where the expression comes from! Never keep a chicken on its own. A group of at least two to three birds is recommended. You don't need a rooster for hens to lay eggs; a rooster is only required if you want fertile eggs and chicks. Chickens are also surprisingly intelligent. They recognise individual faces and remember the people they trust. Check them regularly for parasites such as red mites, keep the coop clean and well ventilated, and always provide enough grit and crushed oyster shell to support strong eggshells. With the right care, your chickens will stay healthy, happy, and productive.

If you want chicks, you'll need a rooster to fertilise the eggs. A hen incubates her eggs for approximately 21 days, although you can also choose to use an incubator. Provide a quiet nesting area with plenty of straw and disturb the brooding hen as little as possible. Once the chicks hatch, they stay close to their mother during the first few weeks - or under a heat lamp if they are artificially incubated - until they are strong enough to join the rest of the flock.

There are more than 500 chicken breeds worldwide.

Belgium is home to several remarkable native breeds, including ‘the Mechelse Koekoek’ (Malines Cuckoo) and the Brabant Bantam. Further afield you'll find the remarkable Ayam Cemani from Indonesia, famous for its entirely black appearance - even its skin and internal organs are black - and the Araucana from South America, well known for laying beautiful blue-green eggs. From traditional local favourites to extraordinary exotic breeds, there's a chicken for every enthusiast.

Grass and hay are the foundation of every healthy diet. Sheep and goats are ruminants and need plenty of fibre every day to maintain a healthy digestive system. Supplement their diet with concentrate feed, especially during the lambing season or throughout the winter. The delicious muesli feeds from Homefarmer provide a complete source of essential vitamins and minerals. Goats are enthusiastic browsers and love nibbling on branches, leaves, and shrubs - their own natural buffet! Sheep, on the other hand, are extremely sensitive to copper, while goats actually require higher levels of copper in their diet. Never feed goat feed or mineral blocks to sheep, as this can quickly lead to copper poisoning. And of course, always provide unlimited fresh drinking water - both sheep and goats can be surprisingly selective about its quality.

Both sheep and goats enjoy plenty of space to graze and roam. The larger the pasture, the better, although at least several hundred square metres per animal is recommended.

Provide a dry, draught-free shelter where they can retreat during rain, strong winds, or cold weather. A secure fence is essential, especially for goats - they are true escape artists and will happily find even the smallest gap. Both species are herd animals and should never be kept alone. At least one companion is essential for their wellbeing.

Did you know that goats are remarkably intelligent and can even learn how to open gates? They're well known for escaping enclosures with a little creativity. Sheep are generally calmer and more flock-oriented, feeling safest when they stay close together. Both animals require regular hoof trimming and parasite control, as overgrown hooves and internal parasites can cause serious health problems. And don't forget: sheep need to be shorn every year. Without shearing, their thick fleece can cause them to overheat during the summer months.

The gestation period for both sheep and goats is approximately five months, and twins -or even triplets -are quite common. Provide a clean, quiet place for lambing or kidding, and keep a close eye on newborns during their first few days. It's essential that they receive their mother's first milk (colostrum) as soon as possible, as it provides vital antibodies for a healthy start in life. After a few months, the young animals are ready to be weaned. One thing is certain - before you know it, your pasture will be filled with playful lambs and lively kids!

Not every sheep breed is suitable for the same purpose, so think carefully about what you want your sheep for companionship, wool production, meat production, or simply as a natural lawn mower. For beginners and hobby farmers, calm and easy-to-manage breeds such as the Flemish Sheep, ‘Kempen Sheep’, and Ouessant Sheep -one of the smallest sheep breeds in the world -are excellent choices thanks to their gentle temperament and low-maintenance nature. If wool production is your priority, the Merino is an outstanding breed. If you're interested in meat production, breeds such as the Texel and Suffolk are known for their fast growth and excellent muscling. Choose the breed that best matches your goals, and you'll have the perfect sheep for your pasture.