Traditional breeds are often ideally suited to small-scale farming.

Smallholdings can accommodate a wide range of animals and poultry. Where high yields are of less importance, traditional and rare breeds are often chosen for their hardiness, suitability to outdoor life and quality of produce. Working with animals and being responsible for their welfare employs a range of traditional husbandry skills. It can be hard work but it is also, ultimately, very rewarding.

There are between 40 and 50 flocks of dairy sheep in the UK.

Different breeds of hen lay different coloured eggs, some are even blue.

The Suffolk is the oldest breed of heavy horse in Great Britain.

Pigs are unable to sweat and wallow in mud in order to cool off.

The first recorded sheepdog trials were held in Wales in 1873.

Most geese pair for life and can live for up to 25 years.

Not all cattle are cows, the term only refers to mature female cattle.

Turkeys are native to the Americas and were first domesticated by the Aztecs in Mexico.

Apart from the Muscovy, all domestic ducks have been bred from the wild Mallard.

Like cattle, goats are ruminants and have four stomachs in which to digest their food.