4-H Animal Science Resource Blog

STEM Connections, know-how & Inspiration

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  • Alpaca/Llama
  • Dairy Cattle
  • Dog
  • Goat
  • Herpetology
  • Horse and Pony
  • Poultry
  • Rabbit/Cavy/Small Animal
  • Sheep
  • Swine

What the COVID-19 Pandemic Reminds Us About Animal Biosecurity

June 15, 2021

  COVID-19: What We Know  The SARS-COV2 virus spreads between people easily, through the respiratory droplets produced (such as in breathing or coughing). As we have practiced in the past year, masks and social distancing help slow the spread of COVID-19.  Vocabulary: SARS-COV2 is the virus and it causes COVID-19, the disease.   COVID-19 and Animals  In some … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Animal Health, Animal Project Areas, Current Issue Tagged With: animal health, biosecurity, covid19

Zoonosis Prevention: A Kahoot Quiz Game

May 17, 2021

Thank you to all who participated in the first all-virtual Junior Breeder Symposium on Saturday, March 27, 2021. If you missed the event, or want to try the Zoonosis Prevention game again, it is live now!  The Kahoot quiz game can be played individually by clicking here. You may also go to kahoot.it and use Game PIN: 01733729. It is available through the above link until … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Alpaca/Llama, Animal Health, Club Programming Idea, Dairy Cattle, Dog, Featured Resource, Focus on STEM, Goat, Herpetology, Horse and Pony, Poultry, Rabbit/Cavy/Small Animal, Sheep, Swine Tagged With: animal health, care, featured resource, health, Kahoot game, youth STEM, zoonosis education

4-H Members Take on New Challenge with Lambing

May 13, 2021

4-H member with 3-week old lamb

The arrival of Spring brings thoughts of new life in many forms…the first brave flowers, buds on the trees and the cheerful green of new grass. However, nothing says Spring more than newborn lambs in all their bouncy, soft and adorable glory. I spoke with two Cape May County 4-H members who are raising lambs this spring to learn what it is like to raise their own lambs … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Animal Health, Sheep Tagged With: animal health, breeding, care, lambs

Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease

May 10, 2021

Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV) is a highly contagious and fatal disease that affects both wild and domestic rabbits. Until 2020, it had not been known to affect any North American native rabbits, however, cases of the disease have been reported in cottontail rabbits and hares as well as in domestic rabbits in states including Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Animal Health, Current Issue, Rabbit/Cavy/Small Animal Tagged With: animal health, Rabbit Disease, Rabbits

Five Essential Ag Safety Practices for Youth Programs

October 12, 2019

Kids working on the farm

4-H programs can happen anywhere - rural, suburban or urban areas. Often, these programs will interact with the agriculture industry - even if for a short time or day trip. While it is important for youth to learn more about agriculture, these settings can be a hazardous place for young people. Agriculture is the only industry where children of all ages may be present at any … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Alpaca/Llama, Animal Project Areas, Club Programming Idea, Dairy Cattle, Featured Resource, Goat, Horse and Pony, Poultry, Rabbit/Cavy/Small Animal, Sheep, Swine Tagged With: Agriculture Safety, animal health, Tractor Safety

“Don’t Root For That!” – Why All Aren’t Fans of Swine Rooting Behavior

April 30, 2019

There’s something about that nose of a pig that stands out.  In addition to its unique shape, it also serves some important functions.  Though smell is a given, there are some other utilities employed by pigs that make their nose stand out.  One behavior in particular that seems to stand out is rooting.  But why?  What is it about sticking their noses in dirt that is so … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Animal Health, Current Issue, Focus on STEM, Swine Tagged With: animal behavior, animal health, animal science project area, nutrition, rooting, Swine

Rabbit Ear Mites and Canker

April 30, 2019

Rabbit ear mites are a common parasitic problem responsible for the condition known as ear canker. Considered one of the most common mites of rabbits, it also causes infection in cavies, horses, goats, sheep, and cattle. Left untreated, canker can lead to secondary bacterial infections of the skin or invade the middle and inner ear leading to neurological disorders and fatal … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Animal Health, Current Issue, Rabbit/Cavy/Small Animal Tagged With: animal health, ear canker, ear mites, mites, Rabbits

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A Project of New Jersey 4-H Youth Development

New Jersey 4-H provides educational outreach programming for youth in grades K-13 (one year out of high school) through 4-H clubs, special interest programs, school enrichment, afterschool programs, and overnight camping.

Regardless of the subject matter – whether it be science, healthy living or citizenship, 4-H uses a learn-by-doing approach to help youth learn responsibility, community awareness and character development.

New Jersey 4-H Youth Development is a department of the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station.

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