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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...

Housetraining a puppy can be a challenge, but what about an adult dog? No matter what the age of your canine companion, there are ways to housetrain an adult dog and help improve their potty habits. Why an Older Dog May Need Housetraining An adult dog may need housetraining for many reasons. If the dog has been adopted, it may never have been housetrained previously, or it may have spent a long period in a kennel or shelter and lost its housetraining habits. Dogs that have always lived outdoors may not have been formally housetrained, or older dogs may need...

Whether you have chickens, ducks, geese or turkeys, poultry is well-equipped for winter weather and colder temperatures, but with a few easy steps you can help ensure their good health and happiness all winter long. How Poultry Cares for Itself When temperatures dip, birds – whether wild birds, domestic pets, or agricultural poultry – have many ways to keep warm. They fluff their feathers to create insulating air pockets next to their skin, and they position themselves in sunny spots to absorb heat. They may tuck their bills or feet into their feathers to minimize heat loss, and they can...

Chickens are becoming more and more widespread in suburban areas, and a backyard flock can be a wonderful part of sustainable living. To keep your chickens healthy, comfortable, and productive in winter, however, it is important to provide them with the proper cold weather care. Can Your Chickens Care for Themselves in Winter? Chickens are well-adapted to survive even very cold winter weather. Their feathers provide excellent insulation, and the birds can fluff their feathers to create an even warmer coat. They may even tuck their bills or feet into fluffy feathers to keep those bare parts warm. On sunny...

A horse's teeth change throughout its life and proper dental care is essential for your horse to be comfortable feeding, grazing and carrying a bit. But what types of problems can develop, and how should they be taken care of? Does Your Horse Have Tooth Problems? A horse has from 36-44 teeth, and those teeth wear down as the horse grazes and eats. Because our horses have different diets that are often softer than the fodder their wild ancestors and cousins consume, however, the wear on their teeth may be uneven or slow, and different dental problems can occur. Your...