Public speaking is one of the most useful skills developed in 4-H. Public presentations are also a great way to learn about a topic of interest and share it with others in your club and county. One of the most important decisions members make each year is the topic for their presentation. For goat clubs, […]
How do I know if it is working for my youth? As we talked about last month, the Internet is chock-full of sites claiming that their activities will turn your young people into scientists and engineers. We know however that all STEM activities are not created equal and it can be challenging to find the […]
Cavy lice, sometimes referred to as running lice, are host specific and need a guinea pig to survive. These lice are considered chewing lice, not sucking lice, and actually abrade the skin to obtain fluid. The most common type of louse is Gliricola porcelli. This is a slender, flattened, light colored (white to pale) insect about […]
The spring of the year is when 4-H Dairy clubs should be working on Dairy Cattle Judging. The New Jersey State 4-H Dairy Judging contest is traditionally held in April. Even if your members are not participating in that contest, it is a great club meeting topic. Members preparing for a judging event should know […]
New Jersey 4-H has coordinated an annual Sheep and Goat Video Contest since 2015 for members in these two projects. The top four videos from each of the past three years were screened at the annual Junior Breeder Livestock Symposium and are available on our state website. We think they are wonderful educational resources that […]
Fur mites, or “walking dandruff,” affect mainly rabbits, but also guinea pigs, hedgehogs, rodents, cats, and dogs. Although an uncommon host for the mite, these mites can also be transmitted to humans. The mites are nonburrowing skin parasites which cause the skin to become scaly. On close observation of an infested pet, movement of the […]
Take a look around and you will quickly notice dogs come in a wide variety of physical and behavioral characteristics. The wolf may be their ancestor, but many dogs look very different from their wild origins. That is because humans have carefully crafted each breed to fit a specific need or interest. As a result, […]
Llama and Alpaca Care – Soup to Nuts Are you looking for a soup to nuts llama and alpaca care book? Well look no further! The recent book, Llama and Alpaca Care, 1st Edition, by Dr.’s Chris Cebra, David Anderson, Amed Tibary, Robert Van Saun, and LaRue Johnson might be the right resource for you. […]
Reptile Shows!!! How cool would it be to go see lots of different reptiles and amphibians in one location? Talk with breeders? Interact with other reptile enthusiasts? With the many shows in the area, you can do just that. But, as a herpetological enthusiast and potential owner, you should be responsible in your visits and […]
Are llamas and alpacas the same? What’s the difference? Where did they come from? What do I do with one after I buy it? And will it spit at me? These are commonly asked about llamas and alpacas. This post will attempt to answer these questions and more by referencing the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Fact […]
