We knew it would be cold today. Temperatures were expected to stay in the 40s. And then there was the wind. One of those icy breezes that just sliced through your clothes. We took turns sitting in our cars to warm up, and sheltered the animals with wind blocks, keeping the youngest ones in the back of an enclosed pickup for extra warmth. We even took turns cuddling the animals for warmth. We considered calling it off because of the cold, but the need was so great, with so many animals needing homes, we decided to dress warmly and brave the cold.
One of the most enjoyable reasons to have chickens is the regular supply of delicious farm fresh eggs. Here are a few tips on egg production from your backyard flock.
First, you don’t need a rooster in your flock to have eggs. Hens will lay eggs with or without a rooster around. If your only goal is to have eggs to eat, you can skip the rooster. He’ll just consume feed and raise the cost of your egg production. If, on the other hand, you want to hatch eggs, you will need a rooster.
If you live in a mild climate, you probably don’t need to do anything special to your chicken coop in the winter. But, if you live in a harsher climate, there are a few steps you can take to safeguard the health of your flock, and ensure continued production through the winter months.
Free range chickens are obviously exposed to more weather than those who are kept in controlled housing. Although I feel the benefits of free-ranging your chickens far outweigh the risks, it does generally result in lower production and in extreme weather can be dangerous for your flock. Even free-range chickens need some type of shelter at night — both for warmth in harsh weather, and for protection from predators. By taking a few precautions, you can minimize the dangers and keep your flock healthy and happy through the winter.
The loss of a pet can be a heart-wrenching and emotional experience. When your furry loved one can no longer enjoy a quality life, euthanasia (which means “easy death”) can really be a blessing for your pet. But ending the life of your best friend is difficult.
I see people struggle with knowing when the time is right. Your veterinarian can help you recognize when your pet is suffering and discuss options and whether or not your pet can still enjoy a quality life.  Some pet owners report that “unspoken signs” will pass between them and their pets, signaling that it’s ok to let go. We recently had an owner who wanted to spend a last Christmas season with her dog before saying goodbye. (Her dog ended up passing on it’s own without medical assistance just after Christmas.)
Very young puppies do better when offered food three times a day. As they grow, they will require fewer feedings, but will eat more at each feeding. If your puppy doesn’t seem to be hungry that often, cut the feedings down to twice a day.
After ten or twelve weeks of age, you should just offer food twice a day — once in the morning, and once in the evening. Even adult dogs should eat two times a day. If you are currently feeding your grown dog two cups of food once a day, try feeding one cup twice a day instead.