Pet & Animal

An interview with Dr. Thomas Whiting Dr. Thomas Whiting: Not Your Average Chicken Farmer When we think chickens, we think eggs, meat and compost (if not compost, please do read on!). But there is another aspect that we may not have considered, and that is the value of chicken feathers. Has become a world leader in the production of chicken feathers used in fly tying. These feathers are renowned for their uniform feather lines and deep, rich colors. You can see a selection of Whiting feathers online here. We reached out to Dr. Whiting of Whiting Farms for some insight into one of the most elite chicken rearing facilities in the world. While the information that follows is specialized, Dr. Whiting picks up on a thread common at all levels of raising chickens: General, good poultry husbandry is the best insurance against health problems goo... Read more

If you have chickens, or if you are thinking about starting your own chicken coop this year, there's one aspect you might have overlooked, and that's the value of chickens and organic refuse. Chickens are one of the best natural composters you can own, and it's not only easy, but better for your chickens if you can harness this composting power. All you need to do is switch up your chicken run game, aka lay down a bale of straw (which is a high carbon base) over which you pile your old broccoli, your salad scraps, trimmings from your garden and etc. The chickens will mix this with the sand from your coop. Do you know the hidden uses of chickens? Nitrogen and Chicken Poop: Garden Food The best part of this equation? Chicken poop is high-nitrogen. So not only are the chickens turning over the organic matter and mixing it with the high-carbo... Read more

After our recent publication of our Horse's Year on Zoetis, I got to chat with a local Montana vet about real world things you can do to help prevent your horses from coming down with the deadly virus. Dr. Jack Newman was able to give me some pretty straight forward advice as to "best practices" when acting against West Nile. Check out the article we wrote with Dr. Newman on how to deworm your horse. Like the recent controversy over human vaccinations, the horse world has its own share of West Nile experts and social media "epidemics." Here are a few I've come across: 1. "Don't inoculate against West Nile because it causes arthritis in the left hock." 2.  Vaccines "dry up the joints." 3. "Vaccines cause kidney failure." These types of concerns exist, and if you have serious concerns regarding such issues, it's always best to consult... Read more

The following is a press release from Zoetis. With the earlier, warmer summer here in the Northwest--it's never been more relevant and time sensitive. Please take care of your horses out there. -N40 Horse Owners Can Still Take Action Against West Nile Threat Vaccination, good management helps offer protection during peak mosquito season FLORHAM PARK, N.J., June 25, 2015 Peak mosquito activity in the United States occurs July through October, which places horses at the highest risk of contracting West Nile virus (WNV).1 Much of the United States has experienced increased rainfall this spring, and the first cases of West Nile have already been documented this year.With the right vaccine and preventive measures, it's not too late for owners to help protect their horses against this life-threatening disease. West Nile is transmitted by mos... Read more

If you've been lucky enough to live during spring in the Northwest, then wherever you go you know how to look for those flashes of bright green and red, to listen for the hovering buzz barely heard over the breeze. What's the best practice for keeping these moveable colors at your feeders year round? Find out below. Get Prepped Early Expect the hummingbirds to come back to us here in the Northwest from mid-April to mid-May. Have your hummingbird feeders set up and ready for the return of the birds so they know early on where they can get the goods (this being nectar in the Stokes Select® hummingbird feeder, of course). In Washington you might even get lucky and keep Anna's Hummingbird through the winter. Here is a starter kit feeder you might use to bring you more hummingbirds. Double Down on Attraction Set up your Stokes Select® hummi... Read more

Want your horses to have good feet, stand for the farrier and keep healthy year round? Follow the simple steps below, provided by local Montana farriers. Regularity for your Horse's Feet Keep your horses on a 6-8 week schedule, and, if possible, let your horse go unshod with regular trims so you can get a balanced, natural shape before the spring preseason kicks off. Handle their feet regularly, pick up their feet, put them down and clean them out: once more, handle feet regularly. Want to read the full review about these safety glasses you see in the video above? Cleanliness in your Horse Pens Not only should you have a clean area for your farrier to work when he comes, your horses should also have clean water, clean feed and clean pens before he gets there. Cleanliness translates to hoof heath. When it's wet and boggy, your ho... Read more

As winter begins to loosen its grip in the northwest, the faint sounds of springs are steadily increasing at all North 40 Outfitters locations. Spring sounds indoors? Yes, spring arrives with the welcoming sounds of baby chicks as we get them settled into their temporary homes. Here's the selection of Nutrena NatureWise feeds we carry online. The peep, peep, peeps will gradually increase over the next few weeks as we reach the peak of Chick Days intermingled with laughter from kids and adults alike. It's a great way to welcome the new growing season, and one that we strive to work hard at, keeping our feathered friends at their best health so they can ultimately make it home to be successful egg layers and meat birds. Chickens have always been part of our culture for as long as I can remember (which is about 20 years). Taking care of c... Read more

Eggs. From baking to breakfast, we use eggs in just about everything. Three years ago, I bought some baby chicks and decided to see why this whole "Urban Chicken" industry was growing so fast. I started out with fourteen baby chicks, brought them home, and set up our brooder kit that had the walls and post for a brooder heat lamp. I first set it up in my garage worried the little buggers needed to be inside rather than just in the barn outside. Here's a brooder kit we sell online that can help keep you in getting your new chicks established. I also realized that they eat and drink a lot  and keeping electrolytes in the water and keeping it clean was a bit tough. Once they started developing their feathers, they became almost self-sufficient. Meat & Layer Birds: Differences to Learn As I did some research, I found that meat bird... Read more

Winter here in the Northwest is hard on everyone even the birds. If you are an adamant bird watcher, amateur birder or just like to see a little activity outside your window during the deep cold, then you'll know having a bird feeder is a great way to insure you keep a lively line of wildlife flitting through your backyard to break up the bleak winter white. Buy bird seed from us online here, or check out our bird feeders online here. How do birds stay warm? They eat more food to build up fat stores and keep themselves warm. You can help your backyard birds stay warm we've got a few local tips for you to keep your birds fat and happy through the winter months. Five Steps to Get More Birds to the Bird Feeder this Winter Keep your feeders full and stock with high calorie seeds like Black Oil Sunflower or suet cakes as these pack a high ca... Read more

Do you think you have sick poultry? Here's some helpful tips to spot the symptoms. Whether you're a first time chicken farmer or a seasoned veteran, there is always a great "unknown" when it comes to disease. If you're looking for medication for your poultry, click here to see what's in stock. Well, thanks to this great #N40 infographic this is now a known unknown. Poultry Diseases and Symptoms Frostbite in Poultry Symptoms: pale combs or wattles in winter; reddened areas indicate thawed frostbite Prevention: Increase coop ventilation to remove excess moisture in the air. Consider providing supplemental heat. We have a selection of chicken health products online here. Conjunctivitis Symptoms: cloudy, watery eyes; blindness can occur Prevention: Conjunctivitis is caused by ammonia buildup in the coop, often occurring in deep-litter syst... Read more

Directions: Let all dyes come to room temp. strain and transfer into individual cups. Let hard-boiled eggs sit in dye for 15-20 minutes or leave in the fridge overnight for deeper hues. How to make Yellow Dye Ingredients: Dry mustard, orange peel, celery seed, and carrot. Directions: Add the mixture to 2 cups boiling water. Let steep until room temperature, strain. Add 3 tsp. vinegar. Homemade Lavender Easter Egg Dye Ingredients: 100% grape juice. That's it. Add 1 TB vinegar to juice. Looking for more crafty things to do? Check these out. Greenish Yellow Egg Dye Ingredients: Spinach leaves. Directions: Add baby spinach to 2 cups boiling water. Let steep until room temperature strain. Add 1 TB vinegar. Rust Orange Easter Egg Dye Ingredients: Paprika Directions: Add 2 TB of paprika to 1 cup boiling water. Let steep. Add 2 tsp vinegar. Si... Read more

"It's all about the pounds." This is the idea behind Dectomax Pour-On Solution. People in the Northwest deworm cattle and calves in order to promote weight gain. This is usually after warble season, but you can check with your local vets for the best time to administer for your area. In winter, you'll want to reapply to stop midges and other parasites you can get from barns and close quarters. How do we know? We actually did a year-long study on Dectomax. Read it here. Jennie Ritland runs a commercial cow herd along with the feeders and backgrounded calves out of her Montana outfit: Ritland Feeding Company "I could be a salesman for Dectomax sure it costs more, but we make that money back plus some every year." Why do you Choose Dectomax over other Generics? Why pay 289.99 for 5 quarts of Dectomax , when you can get 5 quarts of generic... Read more