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It’s easy to think about feeding mineral during breeding season. Some people also think about it before calving. Unfortunately, it’s all too easy to forget about the needs of your herd during the rest of the year. Maybe it’s because other tasks are prioritized ahead of putting out mineral. You’ve got to get your bulls tested. Those heifers need to be synched for that expensive semen you bought. The calves need to get their first round of vaccinations. The cows need to be preg-checked. There is just one problem with that prioritization scheme. All four of those other tasks, along...

We are often asked “how many acres of pasture do I need for my horses?”. In today’s blog we are using one owner’s experience to review how to determine the carrying capacity of your horse pasture to ensure optimal grazing conditions. Expanding Your Herd We’ve finally purchased a horse property! It’s 7 acres with about 5 acres in pasture. We have 2 horses, but are looking to expand our herd. However, we do not want more horses than what our pasture can hold since we do not want to feed hay (or much hay) during the summer. How many horses...

Flock expansion can be an exciting endeavor, especially when you are looking to add a new species or two. It can be a fun and challenging task to meet the needs of a multi-species flock of chickens. Here are a few tips and recommendations to consider if you plan to take your flock to the next level. There are three main areas of focus before caring for a multi-species flock: Coop Cleanliness Living Space Management Techniques Coop cleanliness Providing your multi-species flock with a clean home is of the utmost importance in preventing sickness. Keep the coop clean and dry,...

It seems we hear more and more about the danger of ticks every year and the havoc they wreak on humans and pets alike. Ticks are not insects. Having eight legs, they are arachnids, more closely related to scorpions and spiders than insects. Ticks are ectoparasites (parasites that live on the outside of its host) and live by feeding on the blood of mammals, birds and occasionally reptiles and amphibians. Lifecycle of a Tick Ticks have a four-stage lifecycle. They begin as eggs in a cool, moist environment. The eggs hatch into six-legged larva that congregate in groups around vegetation...

Many regions of the country have been experiencing high heat and humidity this summer, so naturally, the concern of proper hydration comes to mind. Reduced water consumption in horses may impair performance and increase the risk of impaction colic. Additionally, horses may sweat more profusely, resulting in faster dehydration. So what’s a horse owner to do? How Much Water Should Your Horse Consume? The first key element is to make certain that horses have ready access to clean, palatable, cool water at all times or at very frequent intervals. Horses will normally consume about 1 gallon of water per 100...