News
Understanding Pet Dander and How to Manage It
For many pet owners, the joy of having a furry companion far outweighs the occasional inconvenience. However, pet dander—those tiny, often invisible particles shed by our pets—can present a challenge, especially for those with allergies or asthma. Understanding what pet dander is and how to manage it effectively can help you create a cleaner, more comfortable home for both you and your pet. What is Pet Dander? Pet dander consists of microscopic flecks of skin shed by animals with fur or feathers, such as cats, dogs, birds, and even small mammals like rabbits or hamsters. These particles are light and...
Winter Lighting for Chickens
People and chickens operate on different schedules that sometimes conflict. As days shorten and the temperature drops people turn on furnaces and electric lights and sleep about as many hours as they do in summer. Not chickens. Their daily schedule is set by daylight. Lacking artificial light they settle into a long night’s sleep as soon as dusk arrives and don’t wake until tomorrow’s dawn. In high latitudes they often sleep 15 or 16 hours a night. For chickens, winter is a time for rest, not reproduction. Cold temperatures don’t reduce laying, but as fall advances, decreasing daylight causes egg...
Water-The Most Important Nutrient for Horses
Water is the most important nutrient that we provide for horses on a year around basis. Horses need 2 to 3 times more water than other feedstuffs. An 1100 lb horse on a dry forage diet at an average temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit will need a minimum of 6-7 gallons of water per day or 48-56 lbs of water, and many horses will drink more water than the minimum. We all appreciate that the water requirement may double at high temperatures, but may not realize that at -4 degrees Fahrenheit; the quantity required is about 10-12 gallons per day,...
Doggy Danger: Beware of these Holiday Plants
The Halloween-Thanksgiving-Christmas holiday trifecta is traditionally characterized by festive and sometimes flamboyant displays of decorations. While many of these decorations are considered benign to the health and safety of you and your family, you may want to consider how they affect your pets. Dogs are the most likely culprits of gobbling up a poisonous holiday plant, so its important to take certain precautions when decorating your home for the holidays. First, beware of the poinsettia. This vibrant green and red plant indigenous to Latin America is a timeless decoration in the holiday season that garnered attention in the past for...
Thanksgiving Safety Tips for Your Pets
Thanksgiving is a time for gathering with family and friends, enjoying delicious meals, and reflecting on everything we’re grateful for—including our beloved pets. While the holiday season is a time of celebration, it also brings a few potential hazards for our furry companions. With extra people in the house, tempting foods on the table, and festive decorations, it's important to ensure your pets are safe and stress-free during the Thanksgiving festivities. Here are some essential Thanksgiving safety tips for your pets to ensure that everyone—two-legged and four-legged alike—has a happy and healthy holiday! 1. Watch Out for Dangerous Foods Thanksgiving...