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There’s nothing more rewarding (or adorable) than raising chicks in the springtime. Whether you’re expanding your flock or starting fresh, May is the perfect time to raise healthy, happy backyard chickens. Here’s your chick-raising checklist to make sure you have everything you need: Brooder Setup Brooder box – A plastic tote, livestock trough, or chick brooder works great Heat source – Use a brooder heat plate or heat lamp (with safety precautions) Thermometer – Keep temps around 95°F the first week, lowering weekly by 5°F Feed & Water Starter feed – Choose a chick-specific crumble with high protein (18–20%) Waterers...

Spring is the perfect time to prepare your garden and pasture for a season of strong growth and abundant harvests. Proper soil care, the right fertilizer, and selecting quality seeds can make all the difference in your pasture’s yield and your garden’s success. Whether you're growing crops, raising livestock, or simply maintaining a backyard garden, here are the essential steps to get your land ready for spring. 1. Start with a Soil Test Healthy soil is the foundation of a productive garden or pasture. Testing your soil before planting helps you understand its pH levels, nutrient content, and any deficiencies...

It can be exciting to start a new flock of chickens, and the benefits – entertaining pets, unique company, fresh eggs and healthy meat – are equally exciting, but it is important to start the flock carefully so your poultry will be happy in their new home. Happy chickens suffer less from behavioral and health problems, and everyone who keeps chickens should take steps to be sure they start their flock the right way. Check Your Local Laws While keeping chickens is not usually a problem in rural communities, urban and suburban areas may have different regulations that prohibit barnyard...

To most individuals passing through rural areas, hay seems simple. Its dry, tough, and it feeds livestock. However there’s more to hay than meets the eye. Hay is one of those grasses where it is particularly hard to see the quality and composition. The best way to truly know the quality of hay you are using is to test it. Essentially, hay quality is affected by five major factors; stages of maturity, leafiness, color, foreign matter, and odor and condition. Out of all of these factors, the stages of maturity are the most important. The growth stage of the hay...

Spring is the busiest season of all on the farm, and understanding spring farm tasks is the first step in being ready to tackle each one for a productive and prosperous season. In spring… Snow melts and fields and roads flood.Moisture is essential for seeds to sprout and crops to grow, but the deluge of moisture in spring can wash out roads and flood fields. Inspecting roads and pathways for appropriate drainage is essential, and livestock should be examined so they do not suffer from moisture-related food trouble. Weather warms and animals are turned outside.After a long winter indoors, livestock...