How to Keep Chickens Cool on Hot Days
Signs of Heat Stroke
Basic Hot Weather Care TipsWater |
How to Keep Chickens Cool on Hot Days
For most animals, hot, steamy days can spell trouble. Chickens are no exception as they cannot sweat, making them very susceptible to overheating. Chickens normally lose heat as warm blood flowers through the comb, wattles, and limbs to cool and then returns to the body's interior. Problems occur in extreme heat, when the chicken's temperature cannot be reduced by this method. Without ways to relieve the heat stress, heat stroke, low egg productivity or death can happen.
A hydrated bird is able to regulate its temperature more efficiently - and keep its egg production up. An egg is almost 75% water, so keeping this nutrient available is essential for egg production. A fresh supply of cool, clean water is a necessity year-round, but especially in the heat of summer. Have more than one source of water, so chickens don't have to move far or fight to get it.
Shade
Coops and runs should be partially shaded if possible, even if it's just a simple shade cloth. Use caution with heavy tarps in that they may impede air flow and be sure the provided shaded areas are large enough to prevent the birds from huddling. Chickens without shade tend to stay inside, away from cooling breezes. Because darker birds don't reflect light like lighter birds, they need more shade to stay cool and reduce fading. Conversely , white birds may take on a brassy appearance from having their feathers exposed to too much sun. Also, hot, dry climates, strong sun, combined with high heat and low humidity, dries out feathers which can become susceptible to breakage.
Ventilation
Proper ventilation is a core requirement. It provides comfort by removing moisture, ammonia and other gases and provides and exchange or air. Mesh-covered windows let air in and keep predators out. A wire mesh screen door helps keep the coop cooler at night. If increased circulation is needed, consider adding a fan, but be careful to secure power cords and keep them safe from curious birds. Consider installing a reliable thermometer to accurately monitor temperatures, but also remember to take humidity and wind flow into consideration.
Coop Design
Ideally windows on a coop should be south facing. This will help with warmth in the winter and less dampness and rot the remainder of the year. If you live in a hot climate, consider painting your coop a light color to help reflect sunlight and retain less heat. For more coop design tips, visit here.
Dust Baths
Chickens love taking dust baths to help clean themselves and to work cool dirt particles into their feathers. Most chickens will simply roll around in a dusty spot in a garden bed or raw dirt patch. Soil, mulch and sand will also work. If your chickens are confined to a hard surface where they cannot dust bathe, you can create a dust bath for them by filling a shallow container such as a feed pan or cat litter box with the content of your choice.
Stress
Keep stress levels down. Minimize interaction, loud noises, startling movements (such as cleaning coops) and unfamiliar interactions with things such as other animals. Also avoid treating birds on hot days for things such as mites and infections unless absolutely necessary.
Treats
Provide chilled or frozen summer treats. Create your own giant ice cube filled with fruit by floating fruit in a bowl of water and freezing. Chickens also love fresh fruits and vegetables, which can be water-filled, but don't overdo it. Feed no more than 10% of the total diet in treats and make sure a complete balanced ration is the main food source. Also, be sure to avoid high starch grains such as corn, which heat up a bird's body temperature to digestion. Click here for a list of suitable food snack.
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Directions for Growing Big Onions and Green or Salad Onions
Should I Allow my Chickens to Free Range in my Garden?
Many people think that allowing their chickens to enjoy garden time is healthy for both the chickens and their garden. While this is definitely a fun way for the chickens to spend some time, it may not be so great for your garden, except perhaps for times of the year when you have zero plants, seeds or bulbs that you are looking to retain.
Chickens in the garden can spell disaster. They disrupt carefully mulched beds and destroy seedlings with their scratching. They also love to eat most of what is in your garden, so unless you are prepared to sacrifice your entire plants to your chickens, this can be very annoying. The best way to use both your garden and chickens to benefit one another is to mix yard and garden waste such as leaves and plant clippings to the ground in their coop area. The chickens will blend in their droppings, work it all together and scratch it down into nutrient-rich fertilizer. The foraging chickens will also help keep the flea and tick population under control. Then remove the mixture and compost it in an area until it is well broken-down. For more on composting, reading more on our Composting Page. After composting, apply the mixture to your garden at the appropriate times. In addition, tossing your chickens a few bits of produce from your garden as well as plants you may pull from your garden when they are done for the season, will gain you a lot of appreciation from your chicken family. By keeping the two separate, but managing them together, you will reap the advantage of the best from both. Are there Chicken Breeds Good for both High Egg Production and Meat?
The photo on the right shows two of my favorite chickens. The one on the right is a Red Sex Link. The one on the left is a Java. I typically only use my chickens for egg production, but I was intrigued by the description of the Java as being an excellent dual-purpose chicken for both egg and meat production. Coupled with the friendly reputation of the birds and wanting to keep harmony in the coop, I decided to give Javas a try.
I have always kept Sex Links in my flock. I love their hardiness, temperament and are consistently the highest egg producing birds in the coop.
I purchased all the birds as two week old chicks from a local feed store and raised them together. They all lived in the same environment with the same feed and access to water. The birds were cooped at night or when I was unable to watch over them and allowed to free range and forage during the day as weather allowed.
My findings: Food consumption was the same and both birds are good foragers. In general found the Javas to be a bit more nervous than the Sex Links, but all the birds were very docile and sweet. As you might be able to see from the photo, the Java grew into a large bird. She matured about a full pound over the Red Sex Link. Their growth rate was very similar, so as a meat bird, she didn't consume less feed to reach her weight. Ideally meat birds grow very quickly. The biggest difference was in egg production. The Red Sex Links started producing at 6 months of age, the Javas began laying about 6 weeks later. However, the real difference was in the number of eggs. Under the same conditions, the Red Sex Links reliably produce about 5 eggs per week, the Javas produced about 2 eggs per week. The eggs were generally the same size. The Javas' were a slightly lighter tan color than the Red Sex Links. The eggs were indistinguishable with respect to quality, flavor and yolk size. Conclusion: If you are looking for hens that produce large quantities of eggs, then focus on egg-producing breeds. Good choices include Sex Links, Golden Comets, and Leghorns. Australorps are also good producers. If you are interested in raising birds for meat, the greatest return will come from selecting those birds selectively bred to maximize their weight per age. Cornish Rock is a good choice for meat production. They grow so quickly that sometimes their hearts and livers can't keep up, which can cause them to drop dead. Raise them up slowly with no artificial lighting, limiting their feed to two times per day and encourage them to forage. They prefer to belly-up to the feeder and gorge, so use diligence. It takes this breed about 8 to 12 weeks to reach an eating size of 6 to 10 pounds. Ways to Enjoy Lemons
One of my favorite trees has always been my Meyer Lemon tree. I've had the tree above for about 10 years now. Because of the fickle climate and my occasional need to protect it from cold and windy weather, I keep it in a container for mobility purposes. Therefore, I treat and manage my lemon as a shrub rather than a tree.
Reliably it has been a star producer every year and is an enjoyable plant year round. In the spring it delights with extremely fragrant flowers that attract beautiful bees. Later in the year I'm showered with gifts of beautiful and delicious lemons. Though native to Asia, these evergreen trees were grown in California as early as 1751. Prolific lemon-producing and exporting countries include Italy, Spain Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, Lebanon, South Africa and Australia, but like most fruits and vegetables, locally sourced are best, and in many areas that means growing your own lemons. In addition to the enjoyment of the trees themselves, lemons are a delightfully versatile fruit. Lemons appear in everything from dressings and desserts to pastries, potions and even hacks. Lemons contain high levels of vitamin C and citric acid, along with calcium, copper, iron, B-complex vitamins, phosphorus and fiber. In addition to inclusion in food, there are many ways lemons can add zest to your life:
Solutions for Frozen Chicken Water
Chickens need fresh, clean water to thrive, but keeping your hens hydrated in winter can be a challenge when temperatures plummet. Chickens don’t drink as much water in the winter, but water is critical to egg production. Lack of access to water for even a few hours can impact egg production, which may already be compromised due to molt or limited hours of sunlight. Without water, they have as much of an appetite and wont’ grow as big. This applies to meat birds as well.
Lack of water can also cause problems with digestion and a chicken’s ability to metabolize food. Chickens need water to help soften and dissolve their feed and to keep their food moving smoothly through their crop. Constant access to fresh, liquid water is especially important because chickens don’t drink large amounts of water at one time. Instead they intake small amounts frequently. A water bowl that keeps freezing does not support a chickens drinking habits. There are a few choices available when determining how to best prevent water from freezing.
Pecking Order Determines a Chickens Access to Water New chicken owners may not realize that basic flock psychology can hinder water access. The Pecking Order in a flock dictates that there is an alpha on top, an omega on the bottom and everyone else is in between. This pecking order is initially seen with baby chicks. If there is a weak chick, the rest of the flock will eliminate it from the gene pool. This is also done with adult birds, even a healthy, egg-producing hen. One way they do this is by disallowing the hen access to water. They will do the same with access to food. You can avoid this by providing more than one watering station and feeding locations. This simple step will help keep the entire flock healthy. Additionally, make sure your coop is large enough to accommodate your flock. Crowding the flock into too small of a space, as can sometimes happen when birds are forced to spend more time indoors in colder weather, can result in abnormal and aggressive behaviors. Keep the Coop Dry While keeping water bowls filled with non-frozen water is critical, so is keeping the coop dry. Wet living conditions for chickens can foster cold and disease. Unfortunately, the disadvantage of some electric water dishes is that birds may be able to easily tip them over. Be sure to place the waterers on a solid surface and make a cradle of scrap wood to keep the bowl in place. Another trick to quick clean-up is to line the waterers with aluminum foil. If the birds do make a mess in the water, save time and effort scrubbing the waterer by simply removing the water and then the foil. Replace with new foil and fresh water. Your specific winter conditions will dictate which solutions work best to help keep your chickens hydrated. As always, stay diligent about flock care and you’ll keep them happy and healthy until warmer weather arrives. This Healthy Vegetable Quiche is Sure to Please
Looking for a quick and easy idea for breakfast, lunch or a light supper? How about a winter veggie quiche? Although hens may be laying at a reduced rate, other breeds such as Japanese Black Bantams will often increase production in cooler months. Milk production is reducing, but winter vegetables are abundant. Time and days are often short, so make the most of your time with a super easy and healthy quiche.
There are no hard and fast rules to this one. Just grab whatever your garden and pantry has to offer, but here's a base recipe from which to start. This also makes a great puppy brunch when you want to give your furry family members a treat.
Poultry Fungal Infections: Symptoms and Prevention
Fungal infections can be fatal to poultry. Symptoms often include affected breathing, rapid weight loss, eating more and fatigue. Birds can be tested for fungal infections via a veterinarian performing a nose-swab test.
Fungal infections have become more widespread with the use of antibiotics and tend to prey on birds with lower immunity. The use of antibiotics also kills the naturally occurring body flora residing in their system, which leads to a weakened immune system. Although the testing can be costly, it is sometimes worth learning if fungal infections are impacting the health of your flock. Fungal infections will not respond to antibiotic treatments, and often make the infection worse. What is a fungal infection?
Fungi come in molds, mildews, yeasts, mushrooms and toadstools, but only two kinds cause infections - yeast-like and mold-like.
Causes of fungal infections
Symptoms of fungal infections
Treatments and prevention
Types of fungal infections
Mycosis are superficial, cutaneous, subcutaneous, or systemic (deep) infections depending on the type and degree of tissue involvement and the host response to the pathogen. The superficial affect the skin or mucous membranes. the deep affects internal organs, usually the lungs or crop.
Moniliasis (sour crop, thrush): Symptoms: This is a disease that primarily affects the upper digestive tract of all birds and is charaterized by whitish, thickened areas of the crop and proventriculous, erosions in the gizzard, and inflammation of the vent area. It is caused by a yeast-like fungus (Candida albicans) and poultry of all ages are susceptible to its effects. Chickens, turkeys, pigeons, pheasants, quail and grouse are most commonly affected, as well as domestic animals and humans. The Candida organism is widely spread and is found throughout the world. Moniliasis is transmitted by ingestion of the causative organism in infected feed, water or environment. Unsanitary, unclean water can be a nesting ground. It grows especially well on corn and so infection can be introduced by moldy feed. This infection has no specific symptoms. It does not spread directly from bird to bird. Mycotoxicosis: Symptoms: frequently death. This is a very lethal disease caused by ingesting the toxins. It is known that certain strains of fungi (molds) growing in feed or feed ingredients can produce the toxins that cause this disease. These toxins may also occur on litter. These toxins are very toxic and rival the botulism toxin for toxicity. Several types of fungi produce toxins that may cause problems in poultry, but of primary concern are substances produced by the Aspergillus flavus fungi (aflatoxins). This is a common mold that grows on many substances and grows especially well on grains and nuts. Keep litter and feed as clean as possible. Prevention: Mycotoxicoses may be prevented by careful choice of feed raw materials, reduction in water content of the raw materials and hygienic storage. Feeds with high levels of fishmeals are particularly susceptible and should not be stored for more than 3 weeks. Pelletising feed may reduce fungal counts but does not affect toxins. Certain minerals additives have been shown to bind mycotoxins and reduce their effects. Good stock control, management of feeders and bins, and avoidance of feed spillage are all important. Aspergillosis: Symptoms: Most healthy birds can withstand repeated exposure. Inhalation of large amounts of teh mmold or reduced resistance of teh brids results infection. The chronic form in older birds usually results in loss of appetite, gasping or coughing and a rapid loss of body weight. Mortality is usually low and only a few birds are affected at one time. Aspergillosis has been observed in almost all birds and animals, including humans. The organisms are present in the environment of all poultry. they grow easily on many materials such as litter, feed, and rotten wood through with which the bird The disease is observed as either:
Prevention: Dry, good quality feed and litter and good hygiene. The Importance of Including Locally Grown Foods in your Diet
Farmers growing for local markets tend to grow a greater diversity of plant varieties and animal breeds selected for their regional adaptability and flavor. Local farmers may grow hundreds of varieties of fruits and vegetables, ranging from asparagus to zucchini, including delicious varieties of potatoes, plus an array of livestock, poultry, cheese and other dairy products, honey, herbs and flowers.
Buying locally grown products helps maintain this critical diversity as well as ensuring that the food we serve at our table is fresh and full of flavor. It also helps put more dollars in the hands of local farmers. Additionally, shortening the food chain is one way to improve the environment because crops are transported shorter distances. Take a pledge to have at least one locally grown food on your holiday table and know that the benefits of your purchase stretch far beyond great flavor - it supports the local economy, promotes sustainability and helps protect the environment. When Hens Lay Eggs without a Hard Shell
Occasionally you may have a hen who lays eggs that do not have a hard shell. There are a number of reasons this could happen, but all of these causes are easily cured.
Delicious Soft Pumpkin Cookie Recipe
Solving Wet Chicken Coop Problems
A wet chicken coop is the worst. Not only is it disgusting for humans, it's bad for the birds. Thoughtful chicken coop design for you climate is an important step in ensuring your birds stay clean and healthy, but if you are already experiencing problems and need guidance until you have time to make repairs, here are some thoughts.
Wet Areas within the Coop
If your coop is wet on the inside, remove the birds from the area to avoid possible respiratory complications, wear gloves and a mask and clean out the soiled litter. Let everything dry out as best as possible. Hopefully things will dry by evening and then you can add new bedding. If you have leaks from a roof or compromised seal, try to address the issue at the same time to avoid having to clean out the bedding again in short order.
In wet climate areas, we like to build coops with ample indoor space, a well sloped metal roof (wind can shove rain and water back under shingles in low sloped roofs), and well secured and sealed doors and windows. The floor of the "cabin" area is water proofed for easy cleaning and durability.
With this particular coop, part of the run is under the cabin, allowing protection from both the sun and rain, and the other part of the run is the full height of the cabin, but covered by a roof with exposure to the south. This allows the birds to still receive sufficient light, have good height to move around, but minimizes the exposure of the run to rain and snow. This set-up also works well in that it allows the birds to take dust baths almost year round, while providing ample protection against predators and pests. Wet areas in Chicken Runs
The key to keeping mud out of runs is to keep them dry. If it's a matter of rain, adding a seasonal or permanent roof over the run will help keep the moisture out. Even a dense shade cloth can be a temporary solution until you are able to implement something more permanent. If you are having problems with run-off entering the run area, bank the soil around the coop to divert it. Adding gutters to roofs will also help move the water and can be captured for rain water collection.
Mosquitoes and Fowl Pox
If you are in an area with lots of mosquitos, be aware of fowl pox. Fowl pox is transmitted by mosquitoes and cannot be transferred to humans, but is very serious to chickens. Try to minimize any areas of standing water and dampness. Also be sure to frequently dump and scrubbed waters and keep water fresh.
Why to Enjoy both the Flavor and Nutrition Eggs Offer
World Egg Day offers a unique opportunity to help raise awareness of the benefits of eggs and their important role in life, and is celebrated all around the world.
Organized by World Egg Organisation (WEO), this annual foodie date provides the perfect platform for communicating the numerous benefits of eggs to a worldwide audience.
For centuries, eggs have played a major role in feeding families around the globe. They are an unbeatable package when it comes to versatility and top-quality protein at a very affordable price. And they are also an excellent source of choline, essential in memory and brain development. Eggs are nature's premium protein It is all too easy to take eggs for granted but they really are nature’s ultimate source of high quality protein. With an estimated one billion undernourished people across the globe – eggs have the power to help feed the world. A source of high quality protein is essential for:
Eggs offer minimal sustenance with minimal environmental impact:
Learn more about World Egg Day here and find some delicious egg recipes on our Egg Recipes page here. Why Farm Fresh Eggs need Refrigeration
Chicken owners across the world argue that eggs are left out at room temperature all over the world, and I know my egggs are fresh, I haven't compromised the shell with cleaning it and my chickens are clean. Therefore, I feel safe leaving them out.
The Reality
While a basket of colored eggs on the counter looks beautiful, use those only for display. The United States Food and Drug Administration estimates that over 142,000 illnesses each year are caused by eggs containing salmonella. When eggs are left at room temperature, salmonella can quickly multiply to dangerous levels. While many of these cases arise from agribusiness eggs, all eggs are susceptible.
What is Salmonella
Salmonella, is the name of a group of bacteria and is a common cause of food poisoning in the United States. Most people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps and/or vomiting 12-72 hours after infection. The symptoms usually last 4-7 days and most people get better without treatment. However, for some people, the diarrhea may be so severe that they need to be hospitalized. In these patients, the Salmonella infection may be spread from the intestines to the blood stream and then to other sites within the body. In these cases, Salmonella can cause death unless the person is treated quickly with antibiotics.
How to Store Eggs
Chicken owners often feel their own eggs are clean and, therefore, not a contributor to potential salmonella cases. However, it is important to note that not only can salmonella be present on the outside of the egg, but on the inside as well. Refrigerating eggs not only helps keep them safer, it also keeps them fresher as room temperature eggs deteriorate much quicker.
Proper storage of eggs can affect both quality and safety.
Helping Garden and Landscape Soils with Climate Change
No one doubts that our climate is changing. Extensive research and modeling of climate patterns has done by many organizations around the world and they have been compiling predictions for what our climate will look like in the coming decades.
What is Resilient Soil?
Healthy soil is a living substance teaming with a wide diversity of life, from arthropods to fungi to protozoa to small mammals. Soil is the living interface between the geology and the biology of the earth. It serves as a transformative layer converting stone into the biodiversity that the earth sustains.
Some basic characteristics of healthy soil are:
Building Healthy, Resilient Soil
There are many ways to nurture health and resiliency in our soils. One of the best models is to manage our soils in the same way that nature manages soils. Undisturbed soils tend to be more resilient to changes in climate than soils that have been cultivated or managed in yards and recreational areas.
In observing the environment, you may notice nature manages soils in the following ways:
The following are ways we can manage our soils for increased soil tilth and productivity:
How to Improve Farms, Pastures, and Lawns
Soil health techniques can be practiced at any scale. Whether you are a large-scale crop producer or you're trying to maintain a healthy lawn, you can incorporate all of the above techniques into your land-use activities.
Lawns can be diversified with many different grass species as well as legumes and forbs. Cropping systems can be diversified through crop rotations, companion plantings and cover cropping. Focusing on health and resilience of our soils will not only create a healthier system overall, but will prepare all our landscapes for changing weather patterns in the future. Tips to Prevent Weeds in Fields and Gardens
The additional moisture and more moderate temperatures offered by spring and fall make them the optimal seasons for seeding your pastures. In addition, be conscientious about weed management to maximize your fields' productivity.
Using Goats to Control Weeds
Goats are browsers. They actually prefer the taste of shrubs, trees and broadleaf plants like weeds instead of grass. This is especially true later in the summer and fall as the brush and broadleaf weeds tend to hold their nutritional value longer than grasses. Timing is a critical component of targeted grazing. If you want to favor grasses for your other livestock - or your own enjoyment - wait until the grasses are more mature and the goats will focus on broadleaf weeds and shrubs, allowing the grasses to go to seed.
Thorns of plants such as green briars and blackberries pose no problem for goats. Additionally goats are nimble and can stand on their hind legs to access difficult to reach weeds, they produce minimal soil compaction and their droppings quickly decompose and improve soil. However, be aware that too many goats in an area can erode sensitive slopes and banks and goats should not be allowed in or near fish-bearing streams. Note: if you are milking your does, you will not want to turn them out onto weed patches. The flavors of their forage will be passed through to the milk and tansy ragwort can appear in the milk. Keep your milking does on high quality, controlled feed sources. All goat breeds but Pygmy goats are suitable for clearing land.
Cattle and horses prefer grasses, which promotes the growth of broadleaf plants and shrubs. Sheep prefer broadleaf plants and grasses, which promotes shrub growth. Goats, on the other hand, as browsers, prefer broadleaf and woody plants, which allows grass growth by eliminating competition from shrubs and woody plants.
Poisonous Plants
Some weeds and many landscape plants are harmful to livestock. There are some plants that are poisonous to livestock other than goats, such as yellowstar thistle. Other plants such as tansy ragwort, nightshade and peavine can be browsed in goats in limited quantities generally without problems. However, goats should not be turned out onto fields that consist primarily of these weeds as they will not be able to balance their diets and will consume too much of the weeds, which may cause problems.
Plants such as rhododendrons, azaleas and poison hemlock should be avoided entirely as goats do not inherently know which plants to avoid. However, ash juniper trees, knapweed, oxeye daisy, common tansy, Canadian thistle, scotch thistle are all fine, just be sure there is enough variety in the field to provide a nutritious diet. Browsing goats can be ideal weed controllers in situations where they are rotated through the same pasture as cattle, horses and other grazing animals. By putting grazing pressure on the weed population, goats give grasses the advantage, allowing them to thrive. However, be prepared to be patient as it can take several years for pastures to improve due to residual seeds. Some seeds such as tansy ragwort, can stay viable for up to 25 years in the soil. Additionally, other considerations for pastures are soil fertility, pH, grass species, stocking rates and grazing by other livestock. Plants poisonous to goats and care should be taken that they not consume them. These include:
Remember, regardless of whether you own goats for dairy purposes, meat, breeding purposes or simply as companions: How many goats will you need?
The number of goats you need for your amount of land will depend upon the weeds are trying to eradicate. If a weed seed-bank is present, it may take persistent grazing. Goats will tackle mostly vine and woody-stemmed plants, but will browse on a wide variety of plants. For dense weed infestations, expect to apply an application of goats to a given area for multiple times for a few years before the land is sufficiently cleared.
Happy grazing! Ten Essential Chicken Feeding Facts
A good balanced feed, calcium supplements, grit, occasional treats and ample fresh water will give you a healthy baseline from which to raise your chickens. Remember to feed according to age and life-cycle of your birds to maximize their wellfare and your flock productivity.
Swollen Chicken Foot? Bumblefoot Symptoms and Solutions
Bumblefoot, a bacterial infection, is a fairly common problem in chickens, but it does need to be treated. The symptoms are a swollen foot and typically when the chicken walks, it limps on that foot. Bumblefoot does need to be treated as soon as possible to prevent worsening.
Bumblefoot often occurs after some other trauma. Birds may incur damage when jumping down from a perch, or they may get a cut, scrap or splinter of wood in the foot. The infection is often caused from Staphylococcus aureus bacteria which is nearly everywhere. However, it doesn't become a prpoblem until it can gain entry through a cut or injury. The infection usually causes a solid core that looks like a cheese-like material. This core needs to be removed for the foot to heal. Cut the core out by opening the bottom of the foot enough to get the core out. once that is done, clean it by using hydrogen peroxide one time only. After the core has been removed and the foot cleaned, keep the chicken in a clean environment for a few days. Put the bird in an area with clean shavings. Chickens usually heal very well, so it should get better quickly. Do not try to wrap the foot, because it won't work very well. You can continue to disinfect the foot with a disinfectant such as betadine, but don't continue using the hydrogen peroxide as it will damage new tissue. How to Grow Blueberries
il preparation is crucial to the health of blueberry plants. Blueberries prefer acidic soil. Talk to your local garden center about the best way to make soil adjustments. If changes in the pH are needed, it’s best to make them a year before planting blueberries.
In most areas, it’s ideal to plant blueberries in the fall or spring. You can plant blueberry bushes as close as 2 or 2.5 feet apart to form solid hedgerows, or space them up to 6 feet apart so they grow individually. If you plant in rows, allow 8 to 10 feet between the rows. My preference is to grow them as individual plants because it is easier to harvest the blueberries. Fertilizing Blueberries
Once the blueberry plants are established, they will respond well to acid fertilizers such as rhododendron or azalea formulations. Fertilize your blueberry plants once in early spring and again in late spring.
Be sure to always water thoroughly after fertilizing.Blueberries are sensitive to over-fertilization, so follow the instructions on the label and measure carefully. Mulching blueberry plants
Blueberries do best with 2-4 inches of mulch over the roots to conserve moisture, prevent weeds and add organic matter. Bark mulch, acid compost, sawdust and grass clippings all work well.
Healthy Ideas for Enjoying Blueberries
If you are successful at getting your berries into the house before eating all of them, try some of these ideas for incorporating these healthy berries into your diet.
New January 2017 Regulations Impact Backyard Chicken Keepers
After January 1, 2017, drugs deemed medically important to humans, many of which are currently available in feed and over-the-counter at feed supply stores, will require a Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) if given to food producing naimals via food or water. This new directive may significantly impact how some large- and small-scale producers source and use medicated feeds and animal health prdocuts.
For example, a popular medicated chick feed offered by multiple suppliers, will no longer be available to poutry keepers without a valid VFD in place. To obtain a VF, livestock owners must have an established veterinarian-client-patient relationship. For more information on the Veterminary Feed Directive, visit the FDA website at http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/DevelopmentApprovalProcess/ucm071807.htm. Easy and Effective Organic Gardening Solutions
Organic Practices
The first step in gardening is to ensure you have healthy soil. This involves feeding the soil and then allowing the soil to feed the plants. Soil health is paramount. If your soil is alive with earthworms and microbes, everything else will fall into place. Plants will be healthy and resist diseases and pest attacks.
Any use of chemical, synthetic fertilizers, disease and pest solutions will harm naturally occurring microbes and insects. Therefore anything you add or use in your garden must be organic. Clickhere to learn more about building soil. Soil Health
Healthy soil is full of life. It has humus, earthworms, beneficial bacteria and beneficial fungus in the soil that helps plant roots uptake necessary nutrients. Many garden soils will need help to reach this optimal state. Modern organic amendments and fertilizers contain the necessary ingredients to help develop this environment.
Soil amendments are not fertilizers. Amendments are designed to improve the soil texture. This will help your soil retain moisture and nutrients, increasing their availability to your plants. Composted amendments are important additions to both sandy and clay soils. Lean how to compost here. Give the Garden Time to Adjust
It will take a while for things to adjust, so be patient. There will likely be some bugs and fungicides that appear, especially early in the growing season when the ground is still moist. However, try not to become inpatient and intervene with conventional, non-organic solutions. At the same time these bad things are happening, good insects and beneficial fungi will be setting up home. Give them time to get situation and do their job.
Pest Solutions
Occasionally you may need to help out your garden's environment. That may mean adding more good insects like ladybugs, nenmtodes, green lacewings or praying mantises. In some instances it may also include spraying with a natural pesticide. Don't think that natural pesticides are harmless to everything but what you are trying to eliminate. Follow the directions so you don't harm your good bugs or your plants. To learn more about natural pesticides, click here.
Pairing Plants to Control the Insect Balance in Your Garden
Companion planting is an age old gardening technique of pairing two or more plants to gain some type of benefit: vigorous growth, higher yield, repelling pests or attracting predators of common pests. Some companion plantings work, others disappoint. But the idea of strength in diversity is never truer than in the garden and that’s what companion planting provides. Learn more about companion planting here.
Day to Day
Successful organic gardening is best enabled by observation - and it's also enjoyable. Watch carefully to what is happening and resist the urge to step in too quickly in an attempt to help. Continue to add organic soil amendments and starter fertilizer whenever you plant. Remember, it's impossible to have too much humus in your soil. Vegetable gardens especially take a lot of nutrients out of the soil, so you must replenish it.
Composting
Composting is often part of organic gardening, but it is not a requirement. You can have a fully organic garden without composting, but it is very helpful (and healthful) and satisfying to do so. If you have room for a compost pile or bin, consider composting as both a way to benefit your garden and the environment by making productive use of many waste products.
How to Attract Native Birds
The next spring season you can look forward to having your little bird family return.
If you want to offer boxes to encourage habitation, please consult your local Audubon chapter, birding organization, cooperative extension office, the library or the internet for advice on types and sources of nesting boxes. Poorly made and/or maintained boxes entice non-native species, such as starlings, to move in. These can out-compete swallows and other natives. In addition to a season's worth of free, non-toxic pest control, these pretty little birds also provide entertainment through their graceful flight acrobatics as they swoop to pick up nesting material, catch insects, and swoop down to drink water or take a quick bath. Searching for Black Morels
This weekend we went on a mushroom foray in search of black morels. However, the cold weather and large amounts of snow resulted in us being just a bit early in the season. However, we did encounter some other interesting fungi and beautiful flowers while enjoying the delightful company and incredible weather.
The trilliums and wild orchids are just beginning to appear.
Some beautiful Western Fairy Slippers were found along the mountain streams.
Regarding the mushroom finds, the most exiciting were the False Morels, or Early Morels (Verpa). These morels are considered by some to be edible with caution, but most documentation references toxicity, so do your research carefully. Also, wild mushrooms and alcohol do not mix. Never eat mushrooms and drink alcohol.
The Early Morel looks very similar to a black morel, but the cap of the mushroom is not attached to the stem.
Notice how the false morel is not hollow inside. Here you can see very clearly how the cap attaches only at the top. So how do you identify a true morel from a false one?
Until next time! Some Takeaways and LearningsThis weekend we took a small break from our farming chores and spent some time meeting more of our local purvyeors and tasting the offerings of the region's wineries. It was amazing to see the creativity and diverseness applied to the many offerings. Cheeses: As cheese makers, of course we spent a significant amount of time talking to vendors about their cheeses. What was interesting is the difficulty purveyors were having in procuring milk that met their high quality standards. The taste and texture of any cheese is largely dependent on the quality of the milk which is used in the cheese making process. Just like fine wines, the quality of the final product is dependent on the soil and mineral content of the region. In places, where the cows, sheep and goats graze in outdoor pastures, they are taking in the vital nutrients of their natural environment. The resulting cheese that is made from this sweet, wholesome milk is natural, healthy and flavorful. Have you ever heard of Vitamin K2? It is an important nutrient which helps us to absorb Calcium and deposit that needed Calcium in the correct place in our bodies. Without Vitamin K2, Calcium can be deposited as plaque in a variety of places, not all of them being beneficial to our health. Fortunately, pasture grazed animals produce milk which is a rich source of Vitamin K2. In addition to that, the process of making and aging cheese with the Gouda culture also produces Vitamin K2. For the best quality, nutrition and taste, look for cheeses that are made from the milk of "grass-fed" or "pasture-grazed" animals. Ciders: Another quickly growing area has been hard ciders. While various hard ciders have been produced in the U.S. since the repeal of prohibition, the Northwest has recently become the epicenter of a craft cider revolution. Since 2012, cider’s popularity has grown more than 60 percent each year, with the strongest growth happening in Washington State and Oregon. Key attributes to seek are cideries that ferment their hard apple ciders from local, whole-pressed apples—rather than the apple juice concentrate used by many brands—and limits the time from branch to bottle. The same is true of other ciders produced from other fruits such as pear. Be aware that most commercial cidermakers are required to pasteurize their cider, and the process they use will affect the flavor. Preferably, sweet cider should be “cold pasteurized,” which kills microorganisms with ultraviolet light. The usual method of pasteurization kills microorganisms with heat, which affects the flavor of the juice. If you’re not sure which method a local cider mill uses, it doesn’t hurt to ask. Whenever possible, seek cold pasturized ciders versus typical pasturization methods which affects the flavor. Sustainable Foods Farmed, foraged and crafted are now frequently heard words. A local focus mean offerings filled with contemporary, inventive dishes using regional specialties, including farm fresh produce and locally foraged ingredients. Some of the most fabulous dishes included soy braised pork served on eco-friendly bamboo boats offered up from TRACE's Executive Chef Steven Ariel. Chef Ariel works closely with local purveyors to offer up the best the season has to offer, ranging from sustainable seafood to organic fruits and vegetables. Locally harvested ingredients are simpler to achieve by staying seasonal and preserving foods as needed. The Desserts Sustainable and organic not only touches local products, but is important when sourcing foods from farther away. Although it is desirable to buy local whenever possible, limitations related to availability and quality may require one to look further abroad. When doing so, remember to select those products raised and harvested using the most sustainable and ethical practices possible while upholding Fair Trade practices. A few purveyors turned our heads with the purity of their products. Two of these included chocolate purveyors that minimize sugars and other flavors to focus on the chocolate itself. The artisan process, honed with attention to craftsmanship, results in the richest, most flavorful chocolates you’ve ever tasted. Wine and chocolate have a long-standing reputation for excellent pairing opportunties. Careful craftsmanship results in an array of truly distinctive chocolates with balance and complexity—not unlike those found in exceptional wines. |
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