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As pastures green up and temperatures rise, it’s important to reevaluate your livestock’s feed regimen. Whether you're raising cattle, goats, horses, chickens, or other farm animals, spring brings changes in forage availability, energy needs, and breeding cycles that should be reflected in your feed strategy. Here’s a quick guide to help you keep your animals healthy and productive this season: Cattle & Goats Grazing is in, hay is out – As pastures return, gradually transition livestock from hay to fresh forage to avoid digestive upset. Minerals matter – Provide free-choice mineral supplements to balance what fresh pasture may lack, especially...

Spring is chick season, and bringing home new baby chicks is an exciting time for both new and experienced flock owners. The first few weeks are the most important for setting your chicks up for healthy growth and a strong start in life. With the right preparation, supplies, and care routine, your new flock can thrive during those critical early weeks. Here’s a simple guide to help you care for your chicks during their first eight weeks. Prepare a Safe and Comfortable Brooder Before bringing chicks home, you’ll need to set up a brooder — a warm, protected space where...

Most pet owners are diligent about feeding their pets a healthy, nutritious diet. It can be tempting, however, to offer a pet a tasty treat, especially on a special day such as a holiday or the pet's birthday, or even as a reward for mastering a new trick or obeying a command. There are some foods, however, that can be toxic to pets and should never be offered, even in small quantities. The Effects of Toxic Foods on Pets Giving a pet inappropriate foods can have many possible consequences, from mildly uncomfortable side effects to dangerous, even deadly results. The...

Cats and dogs are naturally meat-eaters, and grain-free treats are all the rage to offer your pets. But how appropriate are grains, really, in your pet's diet? What types of treats are suitable and how can you find the best options to meet your pet's nutritional needs? Grain and Your Pets Naturally carnivorous pets such as cats and dogs require diets high in protein and made of mostly meat for strong, healthy muscles and overall nutritional balance. While it is true that carnivores cannot easily digest grains, modern domesticated dogs and cats can usually eat small amounts of grain without...

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...