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People and chickens operate on different schedules that sometimes conflict. As days shorten and the temperature drops people turn on furnaces and electric lights and sleep about as many hours as they do in summer. Not chickens. Their daily schedule is set by daylight. Lacking artificial light they settle into a long night’s sleep as soon as dusk arrives and don’t wake until tomorrow’s dawn. In high latitudes they often sleep 15 or 16 hours a night. For chickens, winter is a time for rest, not reproduction. Cold temperatures don’t reduce laying, but as fall advances, decreasing daylight causes egg...

Water is the most important nutrient that we provide for horses on a year around basis. Horses need 2 to 3 times more water than other feedstuffs. An 1100 lb horse on a dry forage diet at an average temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit will need a minimum of 6-7 gallons of water per day or 48-56 lbs of water, and many horses will drink more water than the minimum. We all appreciate that the water requirement may double at high temperatures, but may not realize that at -4 degrees Fahrenheit; the quantity required is about 10-12 gallons per day,...

As the heat and humidity of the summer begins to wane, many of us look forward to the cooler, fall weather and, at least in the northeast, the beauty of the changing foliage. For many of us including our pets, this change of season is the start of fall allergies. Cats and dogs have seasonal allergies (atopy or allergic dermatitis) to mold and pollen just like we do. The main difference is the way in which they show it. Allergies are a hypersensitivity or immune system overreaction against common, otherwise harmless substances in our environment. These allergens get in through...

The show season is in full swing and horses are subjected to the stress of going down the road on a regular basis. This travel schedule imposes additional requirements for managing the feeding program. Horses like consistency. Changes can cause emotional and physical stress. The more we can keep the routines the same, the easier it is for the horses to cope with the challenges of travel and competition. The following are some suggestions that may be useful to help maintain the body condition, appearance and performance that is required to maintain the competitive status of the horse. First and...

During the dinner hour, most American households are bustling with dinnertime to-dos and conversations about the day. Meals are making their way to the table and families are gathering. And wherever the dog bowls are, their furry family members are chowing down too. Similar to kids arguing over who gets the biggest roll, families with multiple dogs have their own mealtime struggles. From eating too much or too little, to guarding and dinnertime fights, feeding multiple dogs can be a challenge. With a little preparation and strategy, you can help keep the peace at the dinner bowls. Sharing or Stealing...