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Reptile Feed and Supplies Now Available at Store #2

Friday, September 27th, 2024

We are so excited to announce that we have reptile feed and supplies now available at Store #2! Whether you’re a proud owner of a gecko, turtle, or any type of lizard, we’ve got everything you need to keep your scaly friends happy and healthy. Our extensive inventory includes high-quality terrariums, efficient heat lamps, cozy shavings, and natural-looking rock habitats, along with a wide variety of feed that caters to all kinds of reptiles – so many, in fact, that we can hardly keep track!

We invite you to come and explore our new selection of reptile supplies at our conveniently located store at 215 13th Street. Whether you’re setting up a new habitat or looking to upgrade your pet’s current living space, our knowledgeable staff is here to help you find exactly what you need. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to enhance your reptile care routine with our top-notch products. Check out other exotic animal supplies and feeds we carry here. See you there!

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Deworming: Plan, Purge, Protect

Monday, July 15th, 2024

Internal parasites are a common problem in horses, particularly those managed on pasture. In addition to being a nuisance, internal parasites can cause serious health problems. These health issues include conditions such as weight loss, poor performance, colic, and intestinal obstruction. Establishing and maintaining a routine deworming schedule for your horses is an essential step to keep them healthy. However, a good deworming program should be tailored to the individual horse. The program should be based on factors such as age, pasture type, climate, and management style. Strategic deworming takes these factors into account. Additionally, a good deworming strategy helps prevent the development of resistance and strives to keep the deworming medications you use on your farm effective.

Strategic Deworming for Horses

In the past, deworming horses often meant giving a broad spectrum deworming medication to every horse in the barn a few times each year. Nowadays, it is recommended that horse owners use a strategic deworming program that addresses the needs of each individual horse. A strategic deworming protocol involves three steps:

Plan

Planning is perhaps the most important step in any strategic deworming program. To start, your veterinarian can help you monitor fecal egg count for the horses on your farm. This easy testing will identify high, moderate, and low egg shedders, and this information will be used to determine the frequency of deworming needed for each horse. In addition to fecal egg counting, you will also need to understand the types of parasites that are prevalent in your region and their infection cycles. This will help you make informed decisions regarding your horse’s management and the types of deworming medications available to target these species.

Purge

Purging involves the use of a broad spectrum deworming medication such as ivermectin to interrupt the infection cycle and kill the parasites that are currently established in your horse. Purge dewormers like Farnam IverCare (ivermectin) Paste 1.87% target a wide variety of parasites including small and large strongyles, pinworms, ascarids, and bots in a single dose. This medication is easy to administer using the adjustable dosing syringe. The frequency of purge deworming should be customized to fit the needs of the individual horse. High egg shedders may need more frequent purges, while low egg shedders may only need a purge dewormer twice per year. Monitoring fecal egg counts before and after the use of purge dewormers can also be useful to identify resistant parasites and ensure the deworming medication you have chosen is effective.

Protect

Daily deworming medications such as Farnam PyrantelCare Daily Dewormer 2.11% (pyrantel tartrate) provides continuous protection against more than 31 of the most common species and stages of equine parasites. This product utilizes pyrantel tartrate, a safe and effective anthelmintic that targets large and small strongyles, pinworms, and ascarids. The palatable medicated pellets are simply added to the horse’s normal feed daily. Once ingested, the medication works in the horse’s digestive tract to control parasites and help to prevent parasites from migrating through your horse’s digestive system, which can cause serious damage. While daily dewormers are a great tool for controlling new parasite infections, they do not treat all stages of parasites. That’s why it is important to use these products in conjunction with a routine purge deworming plan.

Summary

There are many different deworming products on the market today. Choosing the best options for your horse can seem daunting. While there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to equine deworming, a strategic deworming program is easy to implement. It will also provide your horse with protection to meet his unique needs. With the right products and a customized approach, you can have peace of mind knowing that you are doing what you can to help your horse remain healthy and protected from parasites.

Elizabeth Racine

Original article from Farnam.

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How to Switch to a Chicken Layer Feed

Wednesday, July 3rd, 2024

Switch laying hens to a complete chicken layer feed when they start laying eggs around 18 weeks of age. Choose a complete layer feed that includes all the essential nutrients laying hens need to lay strong and stay strong. Then make the transition gradually over one week.

When you turn 18, you can do a lot of new things. You can vote, buy fireworks and even try your luck with the lottery. The magical number means welcome to adulthood.

For backyard chickens, the number 18 means the same thing. Eighteen weeks is the age when laying hens are considered adults. Most excitingly, it’s the time when many chicken breeds will start laying eggs. At this key milestone, switch your hens to a complete layer feed.

This feed switch is an essential step down the road to farm fresh eggs because hens require different nutrients to produce eggs as compared to when they are growing.

To produce an egg each day, hens need high levels of calcium, vitamins and minerals. Hens transfer many of these nutrients directly into their eggs, so the nutrients in layer feed play an essential role in egg production.

Consider the following steps when transitioning to a complete chicken layer feed:

1. Choose a chicken layer feed that matches your goals.

The best chicken feed for layers depends on your flock goals. Select a complete layer feed before the transition begins. Ideally, make your layer feed decision by week 16, so you’re ready to make the transition at week 18.

First, look for a complete layer feed. This means the feed should be formulated to provide all the nutrients laying hens require without a need to supplement. Choose a layer feed with the Purina® Oyster Strong® System to help your hens lay strong and stay strong.

Which layer feed Oyster Strong® System is right for your flock?

Purina® Layena® pellets or crumbles Our most popular layer feeds
Purina® Layena® Omega-3 Includes added omega-3 fatty acids for your health
Purina® Layena® High Protein Includes 19% protein and black fly soldier fly larvae
Purina® Organic Layer Feed Certified USDA Organic

Each of these chicken layer feeds is made with simple, wholesome ingredients, 16 percent protein, at least 3.25 percent calcium as well as key vitamins and minerals. They also include our exclusive Oyster Strong® System to ensure your laying hens achieve a balanced supply of calcium through a blend of oyster shell, vitamin D and manganese. These three ingredients work together to help your chickens produce strong-shelled, delicious eggs each day.

These are just the essentials, though. Additional ingredients in Purina® complete layer feeds help bring hen health and egg quality to the next level.

A few next-level ingredients to look for include:

For rich, yellow yolks: Marigold extract
For strong shells and healthy hens: Oyster Strong® System
For immune and digestive health: Prebiotics and probiotics
For vibrant feathering: Essential amino acids such as lysine and methionine
For omega-rich eggs: Added omega-3 fatty acids

2. Transition to chicken layer feed over one week.

When birds reach 18 weeks old or when the first egg arrives, gradually switch your laying hens to a complete layer feed. It’s important to make the transition over time to prevent digestive upset.

On our farm in Missouri, we’ve found it’s best to make chicken feed transitions over time rather than all at once. We mix the starter-grower feed and layer feed evenly for four or five days. If birds are used to crumbles, start with a crumble layer feed. The same goes with pellets. The more similar the two chicken feeds are, the more smoothly the transition will go.

Many hens will eat the mixed feed without noticing a difference. When laying hens are eating both feeds, you can stop feeding the starter-grower feed and make the complete switch to all layer feed. It is important to give your birds enough time to adjust to the new diet. Most birds will adjust within a couple days but some can take a couple weeks to fully transition to their new diet.

3. Keep chicken feed consistent.

Once the transition to layer feed is complete, it’s best to maintain a routine.

We recommend providing free choice layer feed to hens and switching out the feed each morning and evening. Laying hens eat approximately 0.25 pounds of complete feed each day, equaling about one-half cup.

If birds are free-ranging, offer complete layer feed before they go out in the morning. This will help them consume the essential nutrients before filling up on less nutritionally balanced insects and plants.

It’s important for the complete feed to make up at least 90 percent of the hen’s diet. We feed complete layer feeds on our farm because they are formulated to provide all the nutrients hens require at the correct levels. It’s reassuring to know that each bite of feed is balanced to keep our hens healthy and producing quality eggs.

Ready to start the transition? Visit our store today to pick up a bag that meets your flock’s needs.

From Purina. Patrick Briggs.

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Ultimate Guide to Summer Gardening

Tuesday, June 18th, 2024

With the warmth of summer on the horizon, it’s time to prepare your garden for the vibrant season ahead. Transitioning your garden to handle the hot summer months is an essential task for every gardener. This shift not only involves adapting your garden to the changing weather but also ensuring that your plants thrive during the summer months. Here’s our comprehensive guide to help you seamlessly transition your garden and make the most out of the summer bloom.

1. Assessment and Tidying Up

The first step in transitioning your garden is to assess the current state of your plants and garden space. Spring, with its unpredictable weather, can leave some plants in need of care. Remove any dead or diseased foliage and weeds that have taken advantage of the spring growth spurt. This cleanup will reduce competition for nutrients and light, essential for your plants’ growth in summer.

2. Soil Care

Summer brings its own set of challenges for soil health, including potential dryness and nutrient depletion. It’s crucial to prepare your soil for these conditions. Begin by testing your soil to determine its pH and nutrient levels; this will guide you on what amendments your garden might need. Incorporating organic matter like compost can improve soil structure, moisture retention, and nutrient content, creating an ideal environment for plant roots during the hot months.

3. Watering Wisely

Watering practices need to be adjusted as temperatures rise. Early morning is the best time to water your garden, as it allows moisture to reach the roots before the heat of the day causes evaporation. Consider installing a drip irrigation system or soaker hoses for efficient watering. Mulching around plants can also help retain soil moisture and reduce water loss.

4. Choosing the Right Plants

Not all plants thrive in the heat of summer, so it’s important to select the right varieties for your garden. Opt for heat-tolerant and drought-resistant plants that can withstand the summer conditions. Some popular choices include zinnias, marigolds, petunias, and sunflowers for flowers, and tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and squash for vegetables. You can also always ask your local feed store (like us!) for suggestions.

5. Pest and Disease Management

Summer can bring about an increase in pests and diseases. Monitor your garden regularly for signs of trouble and take action promptly. Using organic pest control methods, such as introducing beneficial insects or applying neem oil, can effectively manage pests without harming your garden’s ecosystem.

6. Fertilizing for Summer Growth

Your plants will need extra nutrients to sustain growth throughout the summer. Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer to provide a steady supply of essential nutrients. Be cautious not to over-fertilize, as this can lead to lush foliage at the expense of flowers and fruits.

7. Pruning and Deadheading

Pruning and deadheading are essential practices to encourage healthy growth and blooming. Remove spent flowers to promote continuous blooming in flowering plants. Pruning can also help shape your plants and improve air circulation, reducing the risk of fungal diseases common in the humid summer months.

8. Providing Shade and Support

Some plants may need protection from the intense summer sun. Utilize shade cloths or plant taller crops strategically to provide natural shade to more sensitive plants. Additionally, ensure that tall plants and climbers have the necessary support, such as stakes or trellises, to withstand summer storms and winds.

9. Enjoying Your Garden

Amidst all the care and maintenance, don’t forget to take time to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Set up a comfortable seating area in your garden to relax and admire the beauty you’ve cultivated. Summer evenings in the garden can offer a delightful retreat from the day’s heat.

Transitioning your garden from spring to summer requires attention to detail and a bit of preparation, but the rewards are well worth the effort. By following these steps, you can ensure that your garden remains a vibrant, flourishing oasis throughout the summer months. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a beginner, these tips will help you create a summer garden that brings joy and color to your outdoor space.

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How to Keep Horses Cool in Hot Weather

Tuesday, June 18th, 2024

How to keep horses cool in hot weather? As summer drags on, heat can become a serious problem for many horses.

Sweating is the primary way horses cool themselves. Experts believe that prolonged, consistently high sweat rates can lead to “exhaustion” of the sweat glands. In horses, this may result in anhidrosis, or the inability to produce sweat adequately. It is crucial to address anhidrosis and find other ways to keep horses cool because it can pose a serious health risk to horses in warm climates.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when trying to keep your horses cool this summer.

1. Fresh, cool water

Hydration is critical during hot weather, but poor water quality can severely limit your horse’s intake. Most horses don’t like to drink hot water, so it is best to provide fresh, cool water daily. Dark-colored troughs or buckets placed in direct sunlight will absorb heat and warm the water quickly.

Keep horse water troughs and buckets clean and free of algae to encourage drinking. Remember, it can be hard to see accumulated algae and debris at the bottom of a dark-colored trough. Another tip: overfill water buckets and troughs to provide moisture for your horse’s hooves, especially in dry climates.

2. Salt and electrolyte supplementation

Feeds do not contain enough salt to meet a horse’s daily sodium requirement. Therefore, an additional source of salt is always recommended. At a minimum, a salt block should be available free choice. However, horses are not natural lickers and may not lick enough voluntarily. Top-dressing their feed with 2 oz plain salt per day is a good way to ensure they get enough.

In the “sweating season,” whether due to temperature or workload, salt should be switched to a quality electrolyte. This will supply important minerals like potassium and calcium, in addition to salt, that your horse loses through sweat. The best electrolytes will be mostly minerals, not sugar.

3. Summer horse shelter

We can all appreciate how much cooler it is under the shade tree in the middle of summer versus being out in the full sun, and your horse feels the same way. If there are no trees in your turnout areas, providing a run-in shed or even a fabric sunscreen as a horse shelter can make a big difference in helping to keep your horses cool.

Horses cool themselves primarily through evaporative and convective cooling. To help them, apply cool baths or use sprinklers to keep your horses more comfortable and to decrease their need to sweat as much. Moving air increases both convective and evaporative cooling. If the breeze isn’t blowing, provide a fan to move the air. Some farms even use large golf course fans to keep their horses cool in pastures. Finally, remember it may be more comfortable outside in the sun than inside a stuffy barn with poor airflow.

4. Exercise and heat stress in horses

Metabolic heat from exercise is another primary heat source for horses; therefore, it is best to confine strenuous exercise to early morning or later evening hours when ambient temperature and humidity are the lowest. Alternatively, you can give yourself and your horse a break from hard training during the hottest summer months.

To avoid additional heat stress, postpone events such as vaccination, weaning, changing barns, moving horses between groups, etc. If any of these events must occur during the hottest days of summer, try to do them during the coolest hours of the day.

Even though summer can be a sweaty, uncomfortable time, these tips can help your horse stay healthy and happy year-round.

Check out Kissimmee Valley Feed’s equine feed & supplements to help your horse stay happy!

Article source: Purina Animal Nutrition

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