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Although this years’ set of antlers are what they are, in the fall we start to build for the next set of antlers. We need to keep body condition up to help the buck get through rut in good condition and post-rut. We need to make sure the buck has a well-balanced diet to ensure repletion of bone mass, minerals for next summer’s antler growth, and body mass, as well as the amino acids needed to support antler growth next year. Mature white-tailed deer will sometimes go days during the rut without eating and can lose up to 30% of...

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...

Delightful gifts that a hen gives the family caring for them are delicious eggs with shells of varied sizes, hues, and shapes. Some are speckled. Most are solid color. These gorgeous gems soon transition into tasty and nutritious food. Many flock owners keep several chicken breeds that lay a diversity of shell colors ranging from light to dark brown, blue/green, white, and virtually every shade in between. Some shells are smooth and glossy, while others are more textured. When arranged in an egg carton they are a delight to the eye and a striking contrast to the sameness of supermarket...