Animals
The silent architects: How horses have sculpted the British countryside over centuries
The countryside would look very different were it not for horses. Tiffany Francis- Baker reveals some of the surprising ways horses have sculpted our landscapes.
Walking dogs in bad weather? Here’s when you should (and shouldn’t) risk it
Find out when it's safe to walk your pet in bad weather.
How many stomachs do cows have? The biology behind the myths
Do cows really have four stomachs? We take a look at their rather complicated digestive system
“Unbelievable”: huge animal longer than bus seen leaping from Irish waters
No one knows exactly why these enormous sea creatures breach.
"Once symptoms develop it's almost always too late to treat and unfortunately leads to death." The everyday item that is fatal to pets
Sadly it causes irreversible kidney failure in affected animals
What's new?
Top 10 naughtiest dog breeds in the world – according to a very scratched and scarred veterinary surgeon...
Is your dog on the naughty list?
Can dogs eat Brussels sprouts?
This popular Christmas treat could kill your dog: science-backed facts on how to care for your pet - and spot the signs of poisoning
Is chocolate very poisonous to dogs? How much can they eat? Veterinary surgeon Nicholas Burrell explains all you need to know
"No lounging about or a second glass of wine – someone still needs to tend to the livestock:" Frost, snow, animals - the gruelling reality of Christmas on a farm
While most of us down tools and pick up the mince
pies, a farmer’s work doesn’t stop for the festive
break. Amy Bateman welcomes us into her
farmhouse for a busy Yule on her Cumbrian farm
Trail hunting and puppy farming to be banned in England and Wales
Defra has published a new animal welfare strategy today which promises “ambitious” changes
Farm animals
“Avoidable” pain, fear and significant distress – pig slaughter methods must change, say experts
Around 90% of UK pigs are stunned using CO2 before slaughter – a method that causes the animals “avoidable” pain, fear and significant distress. Now, experts are calling for a ban, but what are the alternatives? James Fair reports
It's big, docile – and known as the Cotswold Lion
Countryfile presenter Adam Henson explains why the docile Cotswold is a favourite among the rare breeds on his Gloucestershire farm.
“It makes them look like a living breathing hat stand.” Meet the bizarre farm animal that looks more deer than sheep and doesn’t need shearing
This rare breed is native to the Isle of Man and is now considered 'at risk'. Here's why we need to show them some love, says Adam Henson
Horses
With just 300 left in the world, is this the rarest horse on the planet?
Once the lifeblood of Scotland’s island communities, this rare pony now faces a fight for its future
How real was 'War Horse'? Discover the harrowing story and the true horrors of horses on the front line of WWI
The charity The Brooke brings to life the horrors horses faced during the First World War
Watch dramatic footage of wild ponies being rounded up by riders on a brutal, rugged English moorland
We joined the action as the historic Anchor herd was brought down from the moor for their annual health check
Pets
Chris Packham is moving his dogs to a plant-based diet – should you? Here’s what the research says
Chris Packham has explained why he's transitioning his dogs onto a vegan diet
How to tell if your dog is cold – don't wait for the shivering to start
If your dog is shivering then it's already getting far too cold – here's how to quickly spot the signs of heat loss
Sooth dog separation anxiety and lower stress with this treat-tossing tech (and it's currently 83% off)
poultry
Mike the Headless Chicken: the real-life chicken that lived for 18 months without a head
After a failed decapitation in 1945, a chicken in Colorado stunned the world by surviving for 18 months without a head
Meet the bizarre blue-egg laying chicken taking over British backyards
Bird flu: what is it, which populations are affected and what are the long-term impacts?
As bird flu hits the headlines again, we take a look at what it is, the long-term impacts and what to do if you find an infected bird