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Cold temperatures and brisk winter air may be refreshing for a deep breath or brief outdoor walks, but winter leads to many air quality issues that can create severe respiratory problems in horses, particularly in barns. While barns may keep horses safe and warm in the winter, poor ventilation can lead to a range of health concerns. Fortunately, there are several ways to improve winter air quality and keep horses breathing easy. Winter Barn Air Quality and Horse Health Issues When horses are stabled in secure barns in winter, they are warm, but they are also at risk from poor...

Chickens are a surprisingly resilient bird where winter is concerned. This is especially true if your poultry belongs to one of the winter-hardy breeds such as Blue Andalusian, Dominique, Brahma, or Plymouth Rocks. Still, if a chicken coop is mismanaged or in poor shape during winter, the biting cold can  bring about disease and sure death to its occupants. Among the multitude of improvements and reinforcements you should make to prepare your chickens for winter, the following tips are the most essential to keep in mind. Good Air Flow Ensuring that your chickens stay warm during winter is paramount, but...

As the last heat wave of summer fades, bird feeders are disappearing from backyards. Most bird lovers assume that as the weather cools and mass migration sweeps in, their beloved winged friends don't need human assistance in finding food; they can forage for it themselves. Be a wise lover of birds this year; learn how to host diverse flocks  at your backyard buffet right up until winter. Offer High-Calorie Foods As they prepare to migrate, birds need nutritious foods rich in fat to sustain their energy. Be the best bird feeder on the block by offering high-calorie nibblets for them...

The process of canning and preserving foods takes place for many reasons. For the gardener in all of us, home canning is a way to take all of the hard work that was done outside, and bring it inside. Canning allows us to extend the life of farm to table by ensuring you get the most out of your garden. Not only is canning and preserving economical, it’s also experimental because it makes us use foods and ingredients that might not be in the market or no longer in season.  While canning may seem like a new challenging task that...

August is a tough time for gardeners. However, as many know when the going gets tough, the tough get going. This is the time of the year after a hot summer where many anticipate production and harvesting to come to an end. For the experienced gardener, it’s a time to get even more out of your garden! Think of August as your second wind. It’s time to uncover that last bit of potential and to prove that your garden is much hardier than you ever imagined. To achieve these results, it only takes a little more effort and a few...