Learning how to get rid of hay belly in goats could help make your herd healthier. Although not quite as deadly as goat bloat, hay belly can be a nuisance and, without the right remedy, could lead to malnourished goats. Hay belly is a condition that is more common in Boer, Nigerian dwarf goats, and Pygmy goats. Even though Pygmy goats tend to have large bellies that make them look pregnant, it’s important to ascertain … Read more
There are a lot of skills that go into raising healthy goats. Learning how to trim goat hooves happens to be one of those necessary skills. The best part is that once you know what to do, it isn’t that difficult. You should inspect and maintain goat hooves regularly, every 4 – 6 weeks. However, a lot depends on the breed, goat age, and types of surfaces the goat walks on. Below are the necessary … Read more
If you randomly picked any sheep farmer and asked them how much does a sheep cost? There’s a good chance that you will get an answer as random as the farmer giving it. Many factors go into determining the price of livestock, and sheep aren’t an exception to this rule. Now, if you got a bit more specific with the question and asked something along the line of “how much do adult Suffolk sheep or … Read more
Red Wattle pigs, also known as Red Pigs, Red Wattle or Red Wattle hogs, are a pig breed that is unique to North America. That makes this pig extremely valuable genetically as a heritage breed (breeds raised by our forefathers). This reasonably large pig is known for its excellent foraging activity, hardiness, and rapid growth rate, making it one of the best species to raise for pork or meat production. For good reason, farmers across … Read more
As a sheep farmer, there’s a good chance that you want your sheep flock to grow in numbers for one reason or another. As such, asking yourself questions such as “how long are sheep pregnant?” and “how do I know when my sheep are pregnant?” is absolutely normal. The thing about sheep is that they tend to have extremely predictable breeding cycles and lambing seasons. In their natural state, sheep always look to give birth … Read more
Barbados sheep, also known as the Barbados blackbelly sheep or just the Blackbelly sheep, is a domestic breed of sheep from Barbados. Raised mainly for its meat production capabilities, this breed of sheep can easily be found in South America and the Caribbean. It’s typically more abundant in Peru and Mexico. It’s believed that the Barbados blackbelly sheep is a direct descendant of the West African sheep that were introduced to the Caribbean island during … Read more
Raising feeder pigs is one of the most profitable farming endeavors, provided you manage it correctly. Part of proper management involves acquiring the right kind of knowledge. This calls for answering questions such as what are feeder pigs? How long does it take to raise feeder pigs? And what are the pros and cons of raising feeder pigs? The global swine industry’s size stood at an impressive $236,112.7 million in 2019 and is projected to … Read more
Even though the American Sheep Industry Association only recognizes 47 different breeds of sheep in the country, there are about 1,000 worldwide. The fat tailed sheep represent about 25% of the world’s sheep population. The fat tailed sheep is as unique as its name sounds. Unlike the thin-tailed European sheep, these sheep have a distinctive fat tail that makes up almost 15% of the animal’s body weight. It should be noted that, naturally, all wild … Read more
The Texel sheep breed is unlike most other sheep breeds. While some sheep, such as Fat Tail sheep, are bred for their meat but still have a considerable amount of tallow (animal fat) to offer, the Texel breed is specifically bred for meat production. There are quite several Texel sheep varieties available today. These include: Dutch Texel British Texel French Texel While these sheep tend to have some minor differences among them—for example, the British … Read more
Tomato hornworms and tobacco hornworms will wreak havoc on your garden. You may first realize you have a problem when you see bite marks on leaves along with leafless stems on your tomato plants. Damage control is the first thing you need to do. We explain how to get rid of tomato hornworms easily and for good. It’s a game of I Spy when you realize you have tomato worms or tobacco worms. Inspect the … Read more
If you are looking for a mighty egg producer, the Cinnamon Queen chicken is one to consider. These chickens have quickly become among the most beloved chicken breeds in the US and across the globe. This is because they are have a friendly demeanor, produce eggs at a younger age than many other standard heritage breeds, and lay large-to-extra-large brown eggs. Backyard chicken keepers find Cinnamon Queen chickens a joy to raise and nurture. Not … Read more
Commonly known as water belly in chickens, Ascites is a condition that presents itself as a swollen abdomen in chickens. While there are many other reasons why chickens might have swollen bellies, Ascites is often the go-to culprit. Learn about water belly in chickens, symptoms to watch out for, and treatment. Water Belly in Chickens What is Ascites in chickens? Ascites is a condition that causes a yellowish-colored fluid to accumulate in the chicken’s peritoneal … Read more
Why can’t chickens fly? It’s no big surprise that chickens can’t fly very far. If they could, we’d have to keep them in cages like pigeons and train them to find their way back home when they took flight. As is, even a low fence without a roof is enough to keep chickens enclosed and from flying off into the wild. The fences we build protect them from predators in the outside world more than … Read more
Are mealworms for chickens a good idea? There have been a lot of theories about raising chickens lately. Everyone is trying to find the best way to bring up the best chicks. It’s a known fact that chickens need nutritious foods to help them grow and perform a host of bodily functions well. With the right supplements, chickens can: Easily fight off infections, keeping them healthier longer Lay strong eggs Grow nice, strong bodies These … Read more
Do skunks eat chickens, and if so, what can you do about it? There’s a good chance that whenever you hear the name “skunk,” the first thing that comes to mind is an animal dressed like a cartoon villain capable of producing what is arguably the foulest smell in North America. However, for people raising chickens, skunks are much more than just a respiratory nuisance; they are a deadly chicken predator. While skunks aren’t typically … Read more
Few chicken breeds are as highly valued as the Black Silkie chicken. Lovingly referred to as Black Silkies, this breed of chicken has a gentle disposition, great maternal instincts, and unique plumage. If you want to raise chickens but still don’t know which breed to choose, the Black Silkie chicken might be a good option. Here’s some information about this uniquely feathered chicken, including some characteristics and fun facts you might want to know. Origin … Read more
There are several good reasons fly control for cattle is important. Flies are pests that are not only bothersome to both cattle and humans but actually carry diseases. Biting flies can carry a multitude of diseases for cattle, such as bovine leucosis virus and anaplasmosis. The worst part is that different flies carry different kinds of diseases. Face flies spread Moraxella Bovis, which has been known to cause pinkeye in cattle, while relentless bites from … Read more
There’s a popular Dad joke about cows: Why do cows have hooves instead of feet? — Because they lactose. As far as painful jokes go, this one is up there with the best of them. However, if you take the time to look at the joke, you will realize there’s a valid question. Why Do Cows Have Hooves Instead of Feet ? Let’s take a quick look at the anatomy of a cow’s foot and … Read more
What is herding cattle? Depending on who you ask, it could be all about the gentle movement of cows from one pasture to another. Or it could be a chaotic experience that comes with lost cows, exhausted cowboys, and a throbbing headache. Like most things that have been around for thousands of years, there are different ways of herding cattle. The technique you use will determine the kind of experience you have. Here are some … Read more
Shorthorn cattle are a popular cow breed across the globe. Known for their high fertility and excellent mothering ability, this cow is reliable (in terms of milk production) and quite hardy. Having existed and grown in numbers for centuries, the shorthorn cow is now in a slow but steady decline. While this decline isn’t exactly attributed to any key medical concerns with this breed, agricultural changes over the past few years have unfortunately had a … Read more