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Whether you have just a few chickens or a large, widely varied flock, a happy, healthy flock will be better socialized and will be more productive layers. Fortunately, happy and healthy go together and it is easy to keep chickens in superb condition with just a few easy steps. Provide Appropriate SpaceChickens need adequate space both in the coop and in an outdoor run to be happy and healthy. The space should include plenty of roosting perches as well as shelter from winter winds and shade from summer sun as needed. An overcrowded space will be messier and can lead...

Spring is chick season. Whether you are just starting a flock, increasing the numbers of chickens you keep or bringing new breeds home to try. Your brooder is critical to give for your chicks security, warmth and shelter they need for their earliest days. How can you set up a brooder to give your chicks the safest, healthiest start? Containers for Brooders A brooder is simply a small home for your chicks to help meet their needs and keep them safely contained as they grow. Cardboard boxes are often used as brooders, and while a large, sturdy box can be...

Starting seeds indoors can seem intimidating for gardeners who may not have the greenest thumbs, but it's not hard to do with the right preparation and attentive care. Why Start Your Own Seeds? When it is possible to buy healthy seedlings from garden centers and nurseries, why should you bother starting seeds indoors? There are many benefits to growing your own plants from seeds, including… Cheaper Cost: For just a couple dollars, a packet of seeds may yield a dozen or more plants, making it much cheaper to grow plants from seeds. You can even trade with gardening friends, each...

It is true that during the winter months riding your horse can become a scarce occasion.  This means that your horse’s diet must also change.  Since the horse is not as active during these cold months, it requires fewer calories.  It was once believed that feeding your horse more corn during these inactive months is better for keeping the horse warm, but now science has discovered hay is better at converting calories into heat and also promotes good gastrointestinal health as well as helps to preserve the horse’s weight.  The horse’s diet should be at least 50% if not all...

Proper storage can keep birdseed fresh and nutritious for longer, ensuring that backyard birds have the very best to eat. Whether you need to store birdseed from a great sale, to stock up for winter or just find it convenient to have plenty of seed on hand, it must be stored well to make the most of every seed so none is lost or wasted. Why Proper Storage Matters Birdseed must be stored carefully or it can be subject to a wide variety of problems. Mice, rats, raccoons or other animals can gorge themselves on seed that is easily accessible,...