Erin Snyder addresses this oft-heard statement in backyard flock enthusiast groups beginning with ducks as waterfowl and chickens as pheasants. She says raising both makes for backyard fun and learning. Source: Hobby Farms. Link. INSIGHTS: Consider sharing this article in social media posts, in newsletters and with youth groups raising animals for fairs and shows. … [Read more...]
Free-ranging chickens by the season
There’s little doubt the Easter holiday brought new chickens into backyards and acreages. Often these forays into chicken keeping happen with weak plans for keeping the birds healthy and safe. In the article below, the author writes about free-range foraging benefits, identifies where to be cautious and how seasons may change the approach. Source: Hobby Farms. … [Read more...]
Cleaning the coop regularly is essential for protecting chicken health
A stroke of the obvious? Maybe . . . but backyard chicken raisers will appreciate this article from 20-year veteran Erin Snyder who shares tips on keeping the coop and accessories clean. Consider the article for social media, newletters or chicken enthusiast groups in your region. Source: Hobby Farms. Link. Regularly cleaning the coop, run, waterers and feeders may seem … [Read more...]
Protect poultry from raccoons
Once raccoons choose to get into poultry coops, homes or buildings, they are indomitable. They are considered super-predators if they break into poultry enclosures or discover birds free-ranging. Erin Snyder shares ways to keep raccoons from becoming a problem. Source: Hobby Farms, December 13, 2023. Link. INSIGHTS: Synder’s article is worthy of sharing on social media or … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – October 19, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, October 12, 2023. Link. Most read post(s) from the October 12th AHD Bulletin – Pet owners delay veterinary care . . . may spend $700M on Halloween. Link. Stop giving advice. Link. National Veterinary Technician Week turns 30 (video). Link. Place keeper: 2023 Veterinary Conferences provided by … [Read more...]
Chickens get worms. Deworming isn’t always easy.
Susan Brackney talked with poultry experts to understand why a one-size-fits-all solution doesn’t exist when it comes to deworming chickens. . . . the FDA considers all chickens to be food-producing animals, regardless of how the owner views it . . . which limits my options as a veterinarian. . . “ - Megan Lighty, DVM, PhD, DACPV Source: Hobby Farms, August 7, 2023. Link. To … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – July 27, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, July 20th, 2023. Link. Most read post(s) from July 20th AHD Bulletin – Straight talk about veterinary workforce issues. Link. Filtering is a critical skill. Link. Best joint supplements for dogs. Link. Place keeper: 2023 Veterinary Conferences provided by Galaxy … [Read more...]
Apps to help manage backyard chickens
One thing all chicken keepers need is a method to manage their birds. Ana Hotaling reviews four poultry-management apps backyard chicken keepers can consider to help them manage their flocks. Source: Hobby Farms, June 21, 2023. Link. Smartphone apps allow poultry keepers to easily add and modify flock information, keep track of egg production, and keep tabs on much more … [Read more...]
Interest in miniature cattle continues to surge
Demand for miniature cattle is strong. They are the result of generations of selective breeding and choosing selected genetics to reduce size, while promoting the best breed qualities, conformation and temperament. They are 1⁄2 to 1⁄3 the size of full-size cattle and require less space than regular-size cattle. Two or three miniatures can be kept in an area normally required … [Read more...]
A stress-filled tale of farm store chicks
Commentary The historical phenomenon of Easter chick supply is a testament to the survival qualities of poultry. The first 24 to 48 hours of a chick’s life when headed to a retail store are stress-filled. Ana Hotling shares some details worth considering as you counsel clients with Easter “babies.” Newborn hatchery chicks go through a veritable gauntlet in the first few … [Read more...]
Chicken physiology creates unique vision traits
Chicken vision is substantially different from ours. Understanding the hows and whys can help explain some unique chicken behaviors. Daniel Johnson explains their monocular vision, separated eye functions, third eyelid, perception of ultraviolet light and more. . . . each eye sees different views and is designed for different uses . . the left eye excels at focusing on distant … [Read more...]
No silver bullet to solve the nationwide livestock vet shortage
Reinforcing what most animal health pros already know, Sarah Coleman provides subscribers of Hobby Farms magazine with an in-depth review of the livestock veterinarian conundrum. We’re sharing it considering the publication’s reach to more than 100,000 rural and ruralpolitan subscribers. Source: Hobby Farms, November/December 2022. Link. A number of factors are creating … [Read more...]
Tips for traveling with chickens
It is fair season and chicken owners will be traveling with their chickens. Mia McGregor offers tips on housing, maintaining a comfortable environment, health check-ups, keeping things familiar and likely behavior changes. Source: Hobby Farms, July 27, 2022. Link. INSIGHTS: Consider sharing this article in social media posts, newsletters and targeted emails to chicken … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – June 23, 2022
Last week’s most read posts IRS increases mileage rate for remainder of 2022. Link. Last week’s AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, June 16, 2022. Link. =================================== New grant will help veterinary students learn how to practice using a ‘spectrum of care’ model Source: Veterinary Advantage, June 2022. Link. The … [Read more...]
Some scraps, leftovers and fruits are bad for chickens
Maurice Pitesky shares information on things toxic to chickens and what to do if they eat one of them. It's fun to give chickens scraps and other treats but watch out for these foods and other substances that are toxic to birds.” Source: Hobby Farms, June 6, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Plant insectary strips of pollinator-friendly plants
Our April 26 post about mason bees drew a lot of attention <Link>. Leah Smith shares ideas for insectary strips in Hobby Farms. Looking at the plants listed, apartment dwellers with an outside deck or window can also provide nectar yielding plants that contribute to feeding the bees. Gardeners should plan to add a row of flowers alongside their veggies as well. In … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – April 14, 2022
Last week’s most read posts Traditional recruiting is broken. 6 ways to reimagine it. Link. Last week’s AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, March 31, 2022. Link. =================================== How long is too long to leave a dog alone? Source: Whole Dog Journal, January 10, 2020. Link. 10 to 12 hours is too long for a dog to be … [Read more...]
How eggs get their color
Easter egg coloring is still popular. Coloring can be done a variety of ways including choosing different breeds of chickens. Source: Backyard Poultry, July 4, 2021. Link. Also see: Do hens need roosters to lay eggs? Hobby Farms, March 16, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
When a chicken tests positive for diseases
The context shared in this Hobby Farms article is the testing of show chickens. However, the information is relevant as animal health pros monitor avian flu risk and incidence. Birds whose rapid whole-blood plate tests yield positive results are called reactors and are subject to quarantine, including the whole flock. Even if a chicken looks perfectly healthy, it still … [Read more...]
Pigs will upcycle almost anything into nutritious food
There’s no animal superior to the pig at converting surplus nutrients into dense, living flesh. You might call pigs on-the-hoof food storage, writes Shawn and Beth Dougherty. Their context is hobby or subsistence farming, but the list of things hogs will eat should be interesting to anyone who never slopped the hogs. Pigs, like humans, are omnivores; they eat just about … [Read more...]
Rooster talk. Vocalizations have meaning.
Dispelling the myth that roosters only crow in the morning, Ana Hotaling explains the complexity of rooster vocalizations. They differ from the morning cock-a-doodle-doos, when claiming territories or when it’s chow-time crow. They let out high-pitched shrieks when danger is perceived and crow when its time for bed too. Source: Hobby Farms, September 29, 2021. Link. Often … [Read more...]
Caring for molting chickens
Molting starts with the head and works its way down to the tailfeathers, says Marissa King. During a molt, the flock is working hard making sure new feathers will offer just as much warmth and protection as old ones. She offers some tricks to help a flock’s molt go smoothly. Molting can be a very painful and stressful time for your chickens.” Source: Hobby Farms, September … [Read more...]
Jan Pol, DVM: 5 tips for hobby farmers to keep farm animals healthy
Nat Geo WILD’s Incredible Dr. Pol shares tips for hobby farmers. His perspective is multi-species and the tips focus on preventing health issues using vaccines, cleanliness and reducing animal interactions with new or wild animals. Source: Hobby Farms, January/February 2021. Link. The Incredible Dr. Pol is now in its 17th season on Nat Geo WILD <link>. … [Read more...]
Don’t play chicken with your health
The new influx of chicken flocks has put humans, as well as the poultry they care for, at risk of salmonella sickness. It is alarming that 28 percent of the reported salmonella infections are from children younger than 5 years of age. Seventy four percent of reported salmonella cases involved contact with poultry. Source: Hobby Farms, March 3, 2021. Link. The primary key to … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – February 11, 2021
Clever app encourages you call your friends Source: Fast Company, February 4, 2021. Link. . . . one of the biggest regrets among people on their deathbeds was that they hadn’t kept in touch with their friends.” Data backup 101 for veterinary practice owners – Sponsored Content Source: Lucca Veterinary Data Services, February 1, 2021. Link. Data backups are important … [Read more...]
First-aid kit checklist for keeping sheep in tip-top shape
Got sheep? “It’s inevitable when you have a flock of sheep, there will be illness and there will be injuries,” says Jana Wilson. She shares a checklist of items sheep owners should use to deal with both emergencies and regular maintenance. Wilson praises Kirk Hubbard, DVM, for his role in a webinar hosted by Purdue University that dealt with first aid for sheep and goats … [Read more...]
Llamas, great for small farms
Llamas, members of the camelid family, are a growing choice of ruralpolitan farmers and small acreage owners due to the animals’ relatively small size compared to horses, ponies or cattle. Their unique digestive system and highly efficient use of forage means llamas require less acreage per animal. They are excellent guardian animals, but require planning and education for good … [Read more...]
4 emotions chickens may be feeling
“The sky is falling, the sky is falling,” proclaimed Henny Penny (also known as Chicken Little) in the famous Danish children’s story. Henny Penny had an anxiety attack and emotionally ran hither and yon after an acorn fell on her head. Fast forward to 2020. . . Ana Hotling brings us a more modern day look at chicken emotions flock keepers may observe on a day to day basis. … [Read more...]
Chickens, Salmonella sp. and people
Raising chickens comes with built-in health risks for them and their keepers. In the United States, the CDC reports increased popularity of backyard poultry flocks has been associated with increases in live, poultry-associated salmonella outbreaks. Arizona veterinarian Stephanie Lamb, a boarded specialist in avian medicine, discusses the ins and outs of salmonella in … [Read more...]
What to do when the rats show up with the chickens
Ana Hotaling discusses dealing with rat infestations in chicken coops. Her concepts are directed toward prevention of the rodents and to avoid the infections and parasites rats carry for chickens, pets and humans. She also warns against using poisoned baits to avoid accidental poisoning of a cat or dog that finds a rat away from its burrow. A female Norway rat gives birth to … [Read more...]