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...]
Understanding and Treating Sheep Hoof Ailments
Lameness in sheep is not uncommon and can be caused by a range of issues in the hoof. A sheep may favor a hoof due to a small injury or improperly trimmed hooves, but in most cases, lameness indicates an infection. Animals with hoof infections such as footrot suffer from lameness, decreased weight gain, and poor wool growth. Many hoof ailments are contagious and require quick … [Read more...]
Putting Your Best Foot Forward! Trimming Hooves
Proper hoof care is essential for healthy sheep. Hooves are literally the foundation on which your sheep stands. Preventative care and maintenance can reduce costly and detrimental health issues in your flock. Hoof health problems lead to lameness, decreased weight gain, reduced milk production and reduced wool production. Lame animals spend more time lying down, and do not … [Read more...]
Good Nutrition – the Key to Lambing Success
Investing in proper nutrition for pregnant and lactating ewes saves both time and money in the long run. Ewes in good body condition prior to delivery have healthier lambs and fewer complications than underweight or overweight ewes. As 70% of fetal lamb growth occurs in the last five weeks of pregnancy, it is important to increase feed for ewes at this time. After lambing, it … [Read more...]
Preparing for Lambing
Once your ewes are getting close to their due date, which is approximately 4-1/2 to 5 months after being bred, you need to have your barn ready. You want to protect the newborn lambs from the elements for the first few days or weeks. They always seem to be born on the coldest day of the year! Approximately a month before lambing, it’s recommended to vaccinate the mothers … [Read more...]
Getting Your Sheep Barn Ready for Winter
A Shropshire sheep standing in front of an example of proper winter shelter. Are your sheep ready for winter? The most important thing you can do is to make sure they have enough wool for the cold months. If a sheep has enough wool, it will never be cold. Fortunately, sheep do not need a lot of wool to handle New Jersey winters. A couple of inches will be fine. Sheep shorn in … [Read more...]
Ick! A New Tick in New Jersey
The weather is warm which means it's time to get outside with your dog! There is so much to do in the Garden State for dogs and their owners. Trips to dog-friendly beaches, hiking in state parks, and community festivals are just some of the many outdoor opportunities for you and your pup. While enjoying this season's outdoor activities, make sure you take proper precautions … [Read more...]
Porky Was Wrong; That IS NOT All Folks – Preparing For Your 4-H Market Swine Project
Raising, caring for, and thinking about future 4-H market swine projects is a task that requires a great deal of forward thinking and dedication. Arguably, the most famous swine in our collective pop-culture memory is Porky Pig. Equally famous as the character himself is his sign-off, “That’s All Folks!” As any swine producer will tell you though, when it comes to swine … [Read more...]
Fur Mites
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 dandruff is visible because the mites are … [Read more...]
Protecting Your Poultry – Biosecurity
When raising poultry and waterfowl, it is important to protect your animals and prevent the spread of Avian Influenza and other diseases with biosecurity practices. The acronym WISER helps us to remember how to protect your birds and prevent the spread of diseases. Watch your birds. Look at your birds daily to make sure that they are healthy. Isolate – it is important to … [Read more...]