Blog

Chickens don’t have lips – they have beaks.  They also have one of the most efficient digestive systems in the animal kingdom.  Very little of the food they eat goes to waste.  Here’s a quick lesson in anatomy: Mouth:  It all starts here.  Esophagus (Gullet):  Transports food from the mouth to the stomach. Crop:  A pouch in the esophagus used to store food temporarily before moving it on to the stomach Stomach... Read more

Housing for chickens varies depending on the number of birds and your purpose.  The key in every case is to provide a suitable environment for protection, comfort and good health. The most critical period of all is when your chicks first arrive.  Be sure your brooding area is prepared in advance of when your chicks arrive.  Allow one square foot of floor space per chick.  It should be well ventilated, kept warm and free of drafts, and protected from cold, wind and... Read more

Is it OK to feed layer feed to chicks? Layer feed is not properly balanced for chicks, as it will contain too much calcium. While one or two feedings should not cause a problem, a continuous diet of layer feed to chicks is NOT balanced for proper growth, and chicks may also experience kidney damage. Should baby chicks have grit? All poultry can have grit and will benefit from it.  Note that this is different from oyster shell and coarse calcium carbonate, and does not... Read more

Lately there has been tremendous interest in the horse world about fat. In regards to human nutrition, “fat” is often considered a bad word, and low-fat diets are popular. But we should remember that in people, some fats are necessary and healthy. This is equally true for horses: fats play a very important role in horse feeds and nutrition. There are many reasons to feed horses added fat. The best reason for using added fat is for an energy (calorie) source. The primary purpose for... Read more

Colorado Blue Spruce are in stock at Big R in Mead! This evergreen conifer (Picea Pungens Glauca) grows 40' to 60' high by 10' to 20' wide. Prefers moist areas but is the most drought tolerant of Spruces and grows best in full sun. Cold hardy to -40 degrees. Is a great accent tree but can also be used for a wind break or tall screen. These locally grown, approximate 24" to 36" tall trees come in a 7 gallon container and retail for $24.99 while supply... Read more