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Weaning a foal naturally induces high stress and can lead to illness, loss of weight, or injury.  That means an unhappy foal that is costly of your time, money, and resources.  If done carefully, weaning a foal can lead to a strong, healthy young horse that is more productive and more valuable in today’s demanding industry.  Let’s run through a few basics and a couple helpful tips to be sure you don’t make the mistake of over-stressing your foal in this crucially developmental time for the animal. The “right” time to wean is not a cut and dry question.  It...

Raising free range chickens can be a challenge, but it can be well worthwhile for a more robust, healthier, more productive flock. But what makes free range chickens so desirable, and what special needs do they have for their care? What Free Range Means When chickens or other livestock are “free range” they are allowed to roam at will, with free access to outdoor areas and fewer restrictions on their overall movements and habitat. These animals are not restricted to a small coop, barn, or pen, but instead have a much larger, more enriching space to explore. There is a...

Weak, thin, or soft chicken eggshells can lead to loss of eggs and income, deformities in chicks, and other difficulties. There are several reasons why shell strength may degrade, and different ways to prevent it to ensure the most productive laying hens. Why Hens Might Lay Weak or Soft Eggs There can be several causes behind weak chicken eggs. While any hen might have an occasional soft egg and infrequent weak eggshells are nothing to be concerned about, if a hen is laying soft eggs regularly or with noticeably increasing frequency, she may be suffering from any of these conditions....

Good nutrition is essential for the health of your herd, but there are many different factors that affect what nutrition your cattle need. By understanding your cattle's needs, you can adjust their diet to offer them the best possible feed in different situations. What Nutrition Cattle Need All cattle need a balanced diet that includes a variety of components, such as: Fiber and roughage Starch and carbohydrates Minerals, nutrients and salts Protein Fat Water The exact proportions of these dietary components can vary greatly depending on each animal's needs. Every cattle farmer, however, should be sure their herd is getting...

Understanding the basic dietary needs of your equine friend is an essential part of ownership. Horses are foragers, meaning they graze. Meeting this natural characteristic is imperative.• Hay: Hay is commonly the preferred source of forage. A safe calculation is 1 pound of hay to every 100 pounds of a horse’s body weight. Allowing a horse to have access to hay all day helps promote a healthy digestive process.• Best Practice for Feeding: The amount of feed given on a daily basis should be determined by the horse’s size and work load. A normal leisure walking horse might have a...