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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...

When the summer heat is upon us, we all enjoy an ice cream or a popsicle to help stay cool. Our pets can also enjoy cool treats – Pupsicles for dogs and Puff Pops for cats. The Peanut Butter Pupsicles and Purr-fect Puff Pops recipes are courtesy of Banfield Pet Hospital. Peanut Butter Pupsicles for Dogs Ingredients: 4 cups rice milk or vanilla yogurt1 medium mashed banana or 16 oz. jar of baby fruit2 Tbsp. honey2 Tbsp. smooth peanut butter, without salt Directions: Mix ingredients well in a blender, then pour into 3 oz. paper cups or ice cube trays....

It may seem like common sense, but a horse that is overweight is a horse that will struggle in warmer temperatures. The fat on a horse acts as insulation, great in the winter, but come summer this is a major issue. An obese horse in the summer can result in heat stress. This is why it’s vital to keep tabs on your horses’ body condition score during all seasons. A proper body condition score (BCS) for growing and performance horses, as well as general-use horses, should be kept at 4-7, with a 5 being “ideal”. Broodmares should generally be kept...