Watch what you eat, let your grass grow

Allow grass to catch up before heavy grazing

photo: Live Springs Farm

With the advent of Spring, many organic & small flock farms are looking to release their birds outside.  Be aware that while your birds may be hungry, the plants may not be ready to grow to sustain them.  This in turn will then create bare spots on your range.  Allow your range areas to "spruce up" and grow to about 4" or longer prior to release.  This will allow a healthy root to sustain grazing by most classes of poultry.  Practice good range rotation when grazing to allow the grass a chance to catch up.  Move on range conditions rather than time for optimal results.  Also maintain feeders as a backup to slower growing spring fields.

Most food is a GMO…

There is more to this than a Label...

There has been a lot of debate regarding genetically modified organisms in the world.  I

Source: Wilson's Page

would suggest that unless you catch it wild that what you are eating is genetically modified.  So technically (in my opinion), in essence you can put a GMO tag on just about any food you can think of…

If we use corn for example, wild corn looks nothing like the corn we eat today.  Ever since Gregor Mendel, Luther Burbank and Barbara McClintock (a corn geneticist) we have been manipulating animal and plant genomes for years.  This has allowed man to keep producing more food on the same footprint of land.  It also has allowed more people to work elsewhere and spend a smaller portion of their time and money on food.

Well, what about buying “vintage” breeds of chicken?  Yes, unless kept in a random bred flock they too are modified in some way, and look nothing like their ancestors.  Poultry breeding companies adopted the same genetic tools to poultry breeding and selection and made todays birds more productive in the same environment of old.  Even organic raised birds are using the identical genetics of conventional birds.

And, for that matter, man is also a genetically manipulated species as well.  While we could argue that we are randomly selected, I would suggest that environmental influences and social customs, taste & preferences are still at play in forming the next generation.   I would also suggest that we look at the good that science has given to man, even in the food we eat.  I believe it does outweigh the bad.

Dropping Weight in a Storm

Rake to reduce roof weight

Source: avalanche-snow.com

Snow, Ice and wind loads can cause roof system failures in older poultry housing.  To combat heavy snows, the use of a roof rake to pull down snow off a roof can be employed.  In my Feb. 11, 2010 post, I discussed the use of a home-made rake.  While watching one of my favorite home improvement shows, I saw another design that cuts the snow making it easier to move than a plowing rake.  For examples take a look at:

http://www.minnsnowta.com/index.html

http://www.avalanche-snow.com/index.asp

After a heavy snow, you should check roofing systems for any breaks in support bracing and rafters.  Why you may have survived this storm the next one may finish off your your roof.  Be Safe and check your housing.

Where trade names appear, no discrimination is intended, and no endorsement by the author & Penn State Cooperative Extension is implied.

Cooling Equipment Checks in time of Heat

To keep Your Cool, Maintain what keeps you Cool...

Photo:thelifeofafarmerswife.blogspot.com

For the most part the equipment on most poultry buildings is well designed and is sized for the flock you housed.  But, just like your vehicle, these houses require normal maintenance checks to ensure optimal efficiency and long useful life.  Cooling pads need to be examined for proper distribution of water.  Reservoirs should be checked for proper fluid levels and condition of water.  Pump screens should be checked for algae or other obstructions that would limit flow.  Drain reservoirs that contain heavy sand / dirt that may accumulate near farm lanes.  Follow manufacture's recommendations for cleaning pads if you are in areas of hard water or notice residues forming on the pads.  During peak use, observe the pads to see that all areas are saturated to prevent hot air by-pass through the cell.  A small piece of wire or pipe cleaner is handy for unclogging cell water distribution pipes.  Be sure to have a few extra cells on site in case they are needed for replacement of cells damaged during load-out or de-lamination of the cell itself.  On the other side, be sure to power down and brush / blow off fan blades for proper operation.  Check belts and pulleys as you do this for proper adjustment and wear.  Proper weekly checks of the systems will ensure proper cooling when you need it.

The Importance of Shade in Hot Weather

Something That Casts Shade Can Be Vital

Source: www.travelingbaby.com

 When you think of it refrigeration cooling became popular during the 1950's when equipment could be sized to cool a house.  Even today, not all houses are air conditioned.  So even with large scale housing, some cooling effect can be made with plantings of trees near the houses.  By casting shadows on the houses, intake air temps are reduced and could mean the difference between life and death for a flock in high temp summer heat.

With smaller flocks, shade is a logical choice to cool the flock as it is cost effective and simple to set up.  a 4x8 sheet of plywood on sawhorses can offer ranging birds a place to get away from the radiational heating of direct sun.

If trees are not applicable, considering awnings and other roof extensions that will shade the inlets to the house.  Each of these structural changes will enhance cooling without undue higher cost.

Measuring Correctly

Getting the Correct Data the First Time!

Source:radwag.com

  
When taking measurements in the field it is always important to check the calibration of your equipment to make sure you are being accurate.  Scales, thermometers, and other equipment over time may stray out of acceptable limits of accuracy.  I see this often as folks weigh chickens on a dairy scale that they adjust to read zero.  What is more important?  What the scale reads when loaded or empty.  Keep a standard object to weigh to check your scales before walking into that house.  Any object that will neither loose nor gain weight will work.  Check your object at either at the post office or at the weights and measures office in your locality.  An ice water slurry will work for most thermometers that can be calibrated.  Also, just because the instrument is digital, doesn't always mean it is accurate.  Check the manufactures manual for more information on your instrument.
 

The Importance of Being Counted

Source: USDA NASS

Why it is important to Participate in Ag Census every time ! 

Every five years the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service conducts a national census of agriculture.  Every farmer I meet at times feels that this is an imposition and sees this as an intrusion.  At the same time they will use farming trends seen in census data for their farming operations and use the data to help with local governments they communicate with.

Census data collected helps us understand the changing landscape of agriculture over time.  Some of these measures are hard to extrapolate without conducting the census.  Many of those in government at all levels rely on census data from both agriculture and other industries when they consider appropriations for the farm bill, and other local issues.  It is important then for all farms to participate and be counted so that an accurate picture of the current state of agriculture can be made.  For more information on the Ag census go to the USDA website.

http://www.agcensus.usda.gov/

The aftermath looking forward

Source: http://www.co.pennington.sd.us/

Take a moment to survey your housing!          

We have just gone through some of the worst weather this fall.  When these events pop up, it is always a good practice to check your poultry housing over carefully for unseen damage that may have occurred.  Look up into attics to see if any rafters or bracing has broken or come loose.  Look at power poles for splitting.  Open electrical boxes for water accumulation indicating a compromised water seal on the supply weatherhead.  On housing that is over ten years old, things may have worked loose in the wind.  The last thing you wish to see is a weakened roof that would collapse under the next storm.

Look closely at the boots on feed bins for leakage.  Clumping feed is a good indicator that water got into the tank somehow.  If possible, allow the tank to empty and then check the tank with a droplight at night.  This may be able to show spots that may be leaking.

With small flock housing, consider "pinning" temporary housing to the ground using spikes made of re-bar or other suitable materials.  Store summer shade fixtures until needed in the spring.

Clear all drainage culverts around poultry housing of any debris before the next storm event.  With proper precaution, a few minutes will help save hours of repair when you really don't wish to make repairs.

Be Ready for Foul Weather

Take an active role in preparation

With the possibility of storms from the south, farmers should check that:

1. They have adequate levels of fuel in their backup generators, trucks and farm implements.
2. Spouting and gutters are clear.
3. Culverts and other road crossings are clear of debris and free flowing.
4. Drainage and containment structures are clear of any refuse and debris.
5. Review/check emergency call phone lists, fire extinguishers, flashlights and smoke detectors.

For more information and checklists see:

http://readyag.psu.edu/  and

http://www.readypa.org/

Please pass this around to those you know.

 

Feeding and Watering Adjustment for Success

Source: Plasson, inc.

You are What You Eat

With the rising heat and feed costs we look at every way to help conserve feed.  Feed and water waste should be avoided as any spilled feed is an open invitation to pests coming in for a meal.  Darkling beetles and other pests feed off of spilled feed and water spots in bedding before breeding and destroying a wooden structure.

The birds we use for food do not have valves in their esophagus as humans, so they need to tip up their heads as they drink and eat.  Positioning feeder and drinker levels to be at or just above where the neck meets the body is a preferred feeding method.  Be sure that bell-type drinkers are adequately weighted in their ballasts to prevent spillage.  Use a waterer location rotation program with these hanging drinkers to help eliminate wet spots in the litter.

Source: Ziggity, Inc.

 Nipple drinkers should be positioned and adjusted so that birds can reach up to drink.  By doing so, the birds can drink naturally with the water flowing down their throats and without the need for moving with their mouths full of water.  Leveling the system as you move through the house is important to help eliminate and air blockages and "weeping" drinkers.

Fount type drinkers that sit on the floor can be raised using blocks and other supports to help raise the equipment to the proper feeding level.  Having the equipment adjusted as the bird ages ensures that feed and water are properly being delivered.

Heat stress - Putting Ventilation to the TEST

photo: golearngeo.wordpress.com

Keeping Cool Takes Work 

When we consider cooling birds, most producers first turn to a fan for help.  Fans do a great job of reducing temperature of a poultry house by using convection to help remove heat that is surrounding the bird.  Birds use the evaporation of water from their respiratory system to help cool their bodies.  Larger comb varieties also cool themselves by circulating blood through their comb and wattles.  Testing the air by using a hygrometer to test temperature depression using ventilation is a simple method to determine the possible effectiveness of using fans.

Two things a caretaker should concern themselves during hot weather.  Keeping the fans running efficiently, and running them long enough to help the birds cool properly.

Proper fan maintenance, includes brushing off shutters and doors to keep them free of any dirt and debris.  This also includes the brushing off of fan blades so that they will "Bite" the air properly to move air through the fan.  Do not attempt to brush off a fan without stopping electrical power to the unit.  Do not forget to brush off the motor, as even sealed motors can cool better when not covered in dust!  While brushing off fans, check belts and pulleys for wear and replace these as soon as possible.  Worn pulleys will actually slow down a fan reducing the volume of air that can be moved.

Lastly, fans should run long enough to bring house temps down long enough for the birds to rest from heat stress.  Consider overshooting house temp by allowing a house to cool to 70 degrees long enough for birds to eat and digest their food.  If done during the cool part of the day, egg production and growth in meat birds should continue even on the weeks of high daily temperatures.

Pastured Poultry & Rotational Grazing

Photo: Peggy Sellers - Perdue Univ.

Pasture Quality & Condition is Important 

I had the chance to visit several pastured poultry farms this week and I was reminded of how this was done in the early 1920's.  Birds were routinely pastured to take advantage of sunlight (vit. D) and the natural grasses they ate.  What is so different between operations of today and yesteryear is that we tend to restrict our birds in one area as we graze.  This creates a host of problems as the grass becomes over-run by the birds and heavy loads of manure accumulate.

Rotational grazing should be just that.  Moving the birds frequently to keep grass in good condition and to help spread out manure loads in a field being grazed.  You should move birds before all the grasses they are bedding on become stomped down.  Supplemental feeding is also important at this time to make sure the birds are receiving all essential nutrients that they are not getting from the grasses they are feeding on.  Clover for example has a high protein content than most grass species.  Therefore the corn in a full feed poultry diet will help compensate and provide the energy component of the birds daily nutritional needs.

By rotation of the pasture, the sun can help sanitize the ground last occupied by the birds.  With frequent rotation, the pastures can recover more quickly and in turn provide more forage opportunities for the birds.  Your pasture after the move of the birds will tell how well you are doing on your pasture management program.

Foot Health in Poultry

Photo: NC Extension

Putting your best foot forward                              

Like all farm animals being able to move is very important.  Over the years, foot health has gained interest in meat birds and breeding stock, since if a bird can't walk it can't eat and a dangerous spiral starts if not corrected.

It is important to note that moisture plays a large part in a bird's foot health.  Litter and floor conditions that are too wet begin to erode the skin on the foot pad and can lead to inflammation (bumblefoot) and lameness.  Moisture created by the birds along with water spillage if not managed can create lameness in a flock.  You can test litter moisture by picking up a large handful of litter and squeezing it.  Excessively wet litter will ball up or drip water, and feel sticky to touch.  Add additional litter if possible or stir existing litter to help promote drying.  Adjust ventilation rates to help remove moisture from the house and keep the litter dry.

Remember that litter floors are the environment that the birds live in, including walking and standing.  The litter volumes on floors should be adequate to supply a soft walking surface for the bird.  It also should be deep enough for water absorption from the flock.  All other associated flooring, including slats, perches and other resting devices need to be in good condition to eliminate any foot pad injury.   Good housekeeping of the floor will aid in keeping the flock in good step.

Old McDonald in a New Light

We are not in Kansas anymore...


I spent the week at the PA farm show this month. This year PennAg Industries put together a live animal exhibit called "Today's Agriculture". Inside the commercial building were animals depicted in their commercial enclosures for their particular needs. Almost to the person, most were very impressed with how all the needs of the animal were being cared for. Most were fascinated that we can keep animals in confinement and yet have them flourish if given the proper environment.

What this great exhibit reminded me of was that we sometimes hang onto old ideas, like Ol' McDonald's farm. Old McDonald had to become more efficient and produce more product as margins for his product decreased. It is amazing to think of all the developments that have continued to make our food the most plentiful and safest in the world. The people who went through that display saw firsthand how their food is produced. We should do more to promote that dialog. One such place is Farmers Feed Us that discusses how some of our foods are grown. Take a look and see. picture credit: Sarah Weeda

Combating Heat Stress

Boy, is it hot out there!

With the recent heat wave moving through the US, we are all reminded of what we can do to make poultry more comfortable, and hopefully get them to survive.

Water is the saving elixir in heat. Due to its physical properties of heat energy, water can aid in the cooling of flocks. Flushing the watering lines with cool water may aid in getting hot birds to drink. Do not flush water lines for chicks as you risk the chance of cooling the chicks below their optimal core temperature.

In addition to flushing drinking lines/fonts, spraying the outside of the house (roof, sides and surrounding grounds) with water will drop the ambient temperature of the area a few degrees due to evaporative cooling. In humid climates this may not work well. To test, place a wick on a thermometer and dampen it with distilled water. The ability to cool with evaporation will be shown as the temperature will drop as it cools. Five degrees depressed temperature can make the difference in some flocks.

Shift some feedings to feed the birds during the coolness of the night if possible. Heat builds up in birds as they metabolize their feed. Cool air aids in getting birds to eat in hot periods.

Did you hear that ?

Egg Cholesterol is moving lower in Eggs...

In an age where being first is best, sometimes rediscovery of what is known makes for a better result. Recently, a press release about the cholesterol content of eggs made for a big splash. True, news about lower cholesterol content and higher vitamin D₃ in eggs is a good thing. When I asked Dr. Jacob Exler from USDA/ARS for a copy of his findings, he sent his original report from - September 2010. While publically released, this did not make top media notice until AEB made a recent press release and media push.

What this means is that it is true, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. We need to take the opportunities presented to us to tell the story of how good our poultry and egg products are for a balanced diet. It also means that we should thank scientists like Dr. Exler and his team that routinely tests foods for their correct composition. It does change over time. Because of his research, dietitians and other human nutritionists will have the most recent data in order to formulate diets for their clients who for some may be at a risk from dietary cholesterol or in need of nutrients. Dr. Exler and his team will repeat this testing over time to correct nutrient levels for the USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference. This is certainly a good program.

These latest values for egg nutritional components can be attributed to feed formulation and breeding lines used for our modern poultry layers. With further adjustments to the diets of layers we may expect the cholesterol content to further drop.

For More Information:

Link to the USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference