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News & UpdatesFive items to Check off your Fall Fertility ChecklistAre your barn and calves ready for the cold?Calves that are raised in hutches get all the fresh air they want if they are properly bedded. During winter, most calf barns leave their curtains raised and rely on fans and tubes for air exchanges. Is your current system getting an adequate four air exchanges per hour? Feeding Calves Through WinterBy Suzie Benoit, Feeds Sales Specialist With winter moving in, this is the time of the year to check how your calves are adjusting to the cold. Calves are born with 3% to 4% of body weight as fat. As we enter the coldest part of the year, we have already experienced days below a calf’s thermal neutral zone. Harvest Check ListHarvest is here. Are you ready? Have a successful harvest with these 6 steps from your UC Expert Agronomy team. Chickens 101: Signs of Good Nutrition and Healthy BirdsAs you get to know your flock, you’ll learn your birds’ personalities and habits. If their attitudes, behavior, or performance change, investigate your management and nutrition for possible gaps, or potential management stressors. Many flock raisers begin by looking at nutrition as the first reason for flock problems. But if you are feeding a complete feed for at least 90 percent of the diet, nutritional deficiencies are unlikely. Evaluate other reasons that bird behavior and performance may change—from stress and predators to shorter days, illness, or over-treating. Chickens 101: Winter Flock CareRaising chickens in the winter can be a lot of fun. Some hens love wandering around the yard and their first snow sighting can be quite entertaining. A bird’s thick feathers are a natural protective coat, so most breeds are well-equipped for winter. Here are a few tips to keep your flock strong through the winter months: Chickens 101: Flock Biosecurity and Coop CleanlinessTo help prevent diseases and parasites and to help keep birds healthy, focus on good sanitation and biosecurity. Biosecurity is defined as a set of procedures intended to protect humans or animals against disease. The first step to a healthy flock is regular sanitation. Start by adding absorbent wood shavings to the coop floor and nest boxes, 3 to 4 inches deep to keep the area dry and odor-free. Damp litter creates conditions perfect for parasites, viruses, and bacteria to thrive. Cleaning the chicken coop can be a quick process if done regularly. Chickens 101: Coop ConsiderationsOnce you’ve determined your coop location and the design type, it’s time to map out the logistics. Some flock raisers like to build their own coops with blueprints while others work with builders or purchase prebuilt coops. Chickens 101: Keep the Growing GoingYour chicks are growing—they are now two weeks old! You’re probably noticing they are very social and can provide hours of entertainment. Each day, you will get to know their unique quirks and personalities. Things to do this week: Chickens 101: Welcoming Your Chicks HomeCongratulations! Backyard chickens are now a part of your family. Your happy, healthy flock starts today. Now that your chicks are home, the main elements they need are warmth, water, and feed. Older Posts |
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