Start Strong: Raise Happy, Healthy Chicks with Purina at Burns Feed Store

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Happy & Healthy Chicks Start with Purina Start & Grow at Burns Feed Store

There’s nothing quite like the sound of baby chicks peeping in the brooder — a sure sign that spring (and a new adventure) has begun. Whether you’re raising backyard layers for fresh eggs or starting a small flock for the first time, giving your chicks the right nutrition from day one makes all the difference.

At Burns Feed Store, proudly serving our community since 1950, we know that healthy flocks begin with trusted products and dependable advice. That’s why we recommend Purina Start & Grow for strong, thriving chicks.

Why Start with Purina Start & Grow?

The first few weeks of a chick’s life are critical. Proper nutrition supports:

  • Strong immune system development
  • Healthy feather growth
  • Proper bone formation
  • Steady, consistent growth

Purina Start & Grow is specially formulated with the right balance of protein, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals to give chicks everything they need from hatch through their early growth stages. With Purina Start & Grow, you also have options between Medicated, Non-Medicated and Organic. All three of these products have the highest in quality ingredients and research-backed formulas so that you can feel confident your flock is getting the best possible start.

The Burns Feed Store Difference

Choosing the right feed is important — but so is choosing the right place to shop.

Since 1950, Burns Feed Store has been the go-to destination for poultry enthusiasts, farmers, and backyard flock families. When you stop by, you’re not just buying supplies — you’re getting:

  • Knowledgeable, friendly service
  • Trusted brands like Purina
  • Quality chicks ready for their new homes
  • Decades of experience you can rely on

We take pride in helping generations of families raise happy, healthy flocks.

Tips for Raising Thriving Chicks

To set your chicks up for success:

  • Keep them warm – Start with a brooder temperature around 95°F and decrease gradually each week.
  • Provide fresh water daily – Clean water is just as important as quality feed.
  • Use the right feed from day one – Purina Start & Grow gives them the nutrition they need.
  • Keep bedding clean and dry – A clean brooder prevents health issues.

Good nutrition paired with proper care will help your chicks grow into productive, healthy hens.

Start Your Flock the Right Way

If you’re ready to bring home chicks, make Burns Feed Store your first stop. For over 75 years, we’ve helped our community build strong flocks — and it all begins with quality chicks and Purina Start & Grow.

Stop by today and see why Burns Feed Store has been the best place to pick up chicks since 1950. Your happy, healthy flock starts here. 🐥

Grass Tetany Prevention Starts Here: Burns Feed Store

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It certainly feels like spring is on the way, and with its arrival comes the risk of Grass Tetany. Cows are currently facing a critical challenge in avoiding this condition during the mild winter weather we’re experiencing.

As this years winter begins to loosen its grip, we are currently noticing signs of early spring. Mild temperatures, cool soils, and fast-growing cool-season grasses may look promising, but these conditions can increase the risk of grass tetany, a serious and potentially fatal metabolic disorder in cattle.

Understanding Grass Tetany Risk

Grass tetany is most commonly caused by a magnesium deficiency, often occurring when cattle graze lush, rapidly growing cool-season forages. These forages can be low in magnesium and high in potassium, which interferes with magnesium absorption. Lactating cows are especially vulnerable during this transition period.

With the mild winter weather we’re currently experiencing, cattle may be exposed to these risk factors earlier than normal—making early mineral supplementation more important than ever.

Why Timing Matters

Preventing grass tetany isn’t something that can wait until symptoms appear. Producers are encouraged to begin offering a high-magnesium mineral 2–3 weeks before cattle start grazing rapidly growing spring pasture. This allows magnesium levels to build in the animal’s system before risk increases.

Supplementation should continue for at least 60 days after spring green-up, when grass tetany risk is typically highest.

A Reliable Solution: Purina Wind & Rain High Magnesium Mineral Tubs

One convenient and effective option is Purina Wind & Rain High Magnesium Mineral Tubs. These tubs are designed to withstand harsh weather conditions and provide consistent intake during unpredictable spring weather.

Key benefits include:

  • High magnesium levels to help reduce grass tetany risk
  • A balanced blend of essential minerals to support overall herd health
  • Weather-resistant formulation for pasture use
  • Easy, free-choice feeding with minimal labor

Available at Burns Feed Store

At Burns Feed Store, we understand the challenges faced during seasonal transitions. That’s why we stock Purina Wind & Rain High Magnesium Mineral Tubs to help you prepare your herd before spring conditions take hold.

Stop by Burns Feed Store today to talk with our team about mineral programs and make sure your cattle are set up for a healthy, productive grazing season.

Pepper Jellies Grown and Made In Oregon at Burns Feed Store

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Discover the Bold Flavor of Rose City Pepperheads Pepper Jelly at Burns Feed Store

If you’re looking to add a burst of bold, handcrafted flavor to your pantry, Burns Feed Store is excited to spotlight one of our favorite local products: Rose City Pepperheads Pepper Jelly. Made right here in the Pacific Northwest, these small-batch jellies bring a perfect balance of heat and sweetness that transforms everyday meals into something unforgettable.

A Local Favorite with Big Flavor

Rose City Pepperheads has built a loyal following thanks to their commitment to quality ingredients and inventive recipes. Each jar is packed with vibrant peppers, natural sweetness, and a depth of flavor you won’t find in ordinary condiments. Whether you enjoy a mild kick or prefer jellies with serious fire, there’s a blend for every taste.

Endless Ways to Use Pepper Jelly

One of the best things about Rose City Pepperheads Pepper Jelly is its versatility. Customers love using it for:

Glazing & Grilling

Brush it over meats, seafood, or veggies to add a sweet-heat glaze that caramelizes beautifully on the grill.

Charcuterie & Appetizers

A dollop on cream cheese or brie instantly elevates your snack board—simple, crowd-pleasing, and absolutely addictive.

Burgers, Sandwiches & Wraps

Spread it on burgers or deli sandwiches to add a tangy, spicy kick.

Dressings & Marinades

Mix with olive oil or vinegar for a quick, flavorful dressing or marinade.

Slow Cooker Favorites

Combine with chicken or pork for effortless, sweet-and-spicy slow-cooked perfection.

Perfect for Holidays, Entertaining, and Everyday Meals

Pepper jelly makes a fantastic gift for food lovers and a reliable go-to for holiday appetizers. With gatherings, tailgates, and family dinners happening year-round, keeping a jar or two in the pantry ensures you’re always ready to impress.

Available Now at Burns Feed Store

As part of our continued support for local makers and small businesses, Burns Feed Store is proud to carry a variety of Rose City Pepperheads flavors. Stop by to browse our selection and discover your new favorite way to spice up your meals.

Whether you’re a longtime pepper jelly fan or trying it for the first time, Rose City Pepperheads offers handcrafted flavor that stands out—and we’re thrilled to bring it to our customers here at Burns Feed Store.

Certified Weed Free Orchard Grass & Straw at Burns Feed Store

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Why Weed Free Forage?

Using weed free forage is a proactive method of preventing our natural and working lands from invasion by noxious weeds. Our natural and working lands are especially vulnerable following catastrophic events like wildfire and flooding and using weed free forage can help mitigate the risk of invasion during recovery. Using weed free forage also ensures that you are providing the most nutritious and palatable version of a product to your livestock, free of undesirable and sometimes toxic weeds. For producers, ODA’s Weed Free Forage and Gravel Program provides an opportunity to add value to your products while contributing to overall ecosystem resilience.

Certified weed free hay and straw are in high demand in Oregon and throughout the western states. The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) Weed Free Forage & Gravel Program, as part of an integrated weed management approach, helps limit the spread of noxious weeds and protect Oregon agriculture. The ODA follows the standards set by the North American Invasive Species Management Association (NAISMA; www.naisma.org). Additionally, inspections include Oregon’s listed ‘A’ and ‘B’ listed noxious weeds which can be found at www.oda.direct/NoxiousWeedProfiles

In Oregon, individuals utilizing livestock, horses, or pack animals on U.S. Forest Service land, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land, and designated Wilderness Areas are required to use certified weed-free forage. This regulation aims to prevent the spread of invasive plant species. Additionally, this requirement extends to contractors engaged in public projects, recreational outfitters, and anyone transporting hay or forage across public lands for any purpose.

 

Planning Your Straw Bale Garden for Next Spring

Gardeners, are you already preparing for next spring’s Straw Bale Garden? Here’s something to consider: it’s crucial to use weed-free straw bales for your garden. Weeds are one of the main issues this gardening method aims to combat. Conventional straw bales can contain unwanted seeds that may germinate once the conditioning process begins.

Benefits of Straw Bale Gardening

By selecting the right bales and conditioning them correctly, you can fully enjoy the benefits of straw bale gardening:

  • Fewer weeds:The most significant advantage is a substantial reduction in weeds, as you’re not working with traditional soil.
  • Less soil trouble: This method is ideal for areas with poor or rocky soil.
  • Reduced pest and disease issues: Planting above ground can help minimize problems associated with soil-borne diseases.
  • Improved accessibility: The elevated height of the bales makes gardening easier on your back.

 

At Burns Feed Store, we currently have in stock Certified Weed Free Orchard Grass as well as a Certified Weed Free Straw.

Gate Maintenance

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Gate and System Maintenance

These guidelines are meant to be general in nature and specific needs will vary based on your environment.

Getting Started:

  • Adjust the gate hinges to make sure the gate swings level, plumb and freely throughout the full opening and closing range of motion. Level is horizontal and plumb vertical. Plumb refers to something being straight up and down. The gate post(s) needs to be plumb and hinges need to be aligned vertically. When a gate/post is not plumb it may surge/hesitate in a particular direction of its travel and possibly not function.
  • Clean your gate with a mild cleaner, a rag, a soft brush, and a water hose to remove dirt and dust.
  • Do any rust removal and touch up painting, that you might deem necessary.

The Gate:

Keeping your gates swinging easily and freely is very important so that your gate opener system continues to work correctly. If your ball-bearing/bearing type gate hinges are binding, out of grease, or have become difficult to move, your gate opener system may treat this as an obstruction. If it seems to be associated in some way with the temperature the problem can likely be resolved by lubricating your gate hinges. If the hinges are worn or damaged replace them.

We suggest removing the pin from the front of the operator and working the grease into the gate hinges as much as possible. Use a grease suited for the temperature range in your location. Lithium-based grease tends to work well in many applications. Don’t forget to put the front clevis pin back into the front of the operator when you have finished greasing the hinges.

 

Lubricate The Operator Arm

Using a silicone spray, you can maintain/clean the silver aluminum push-pull tube (with the operator arm extended and the system turned off) , spray a clean cloth with the silicone and wipe the extended push-pull of the operator arm. Cleaning this part of the arm helps remove any dirt and debris that has accumulated over time and can help reduce premature wear and noise on the internal parts of the operator arm.

Check The System Batteries

As a battery ages its ability to work becomes reduced. A good rule of thumb would be to inspect the battery(s) each fall.

  • Clean any corrosion from the battery terminals and connectors. A wire brush the size of a toothbrush is a handy tool for this job. Brush it lightly until any corrosion is removed. Most automotive part stores also have some type of anti-corrosion product that can be added to your system for additional protection.
  • Check all battery and battery harness connections to ensure none of the connections are loose.
  • The batteries can be loaded tested as well
    • Disconnect the charging source. (solar panel or transformer connections)
    • Measure battery voltage.
      • a. If you have two batteries, check them individually.
      • b. If the voltage(s) is above 12 Vdc, proceed with the load test.
      • c. If the voltage(s) is below 12 Vdc, charge the batteries externally before proceeding. At no greater than 2 amps.
    • The load test will only be conducted on one battery at a time. Measure the voltage prior to operation. Activate the unit while continuing to monitor the voltage. The voltage should drop less than .5 volt during the cycle.
    • Repeat for 4 more half cycles (open or close) pausing for approximately 10 seconds in between activations. The voltage should drop less than .5 volt during these movements.
    • If the voltage drops are greater than .5 a volt the battery/batteries should be replaced.

Solar Installations

  • Use glass cleaner: Clean the glass on your solar panel to remove any algae, mold, mildew, or dirt that may have accumulated throughout the year. Keeping your solar panel glass clean helps to maximize the potential charging ability of the panel which is more important during the winter months as the number of hours of unobstructed sunlight hitting the panel decreases. Move/relocate panel if needed.
  • Using the screwdriver provided with your kit, tighten any of the wiring terminal connections that are loose.

E-Z Haul Carts

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The perfect balance of an E-Z Haul Cart will get the job done with less effort.

These carts are built to last! They are made with the most durable components to handle big loads, regardless of cart size.

The E-Z Haul Cart is available in three sizes with load ratings from 250 to 600 pounds.

Sizes available at Burns Feed Store are:
5 1/2Cu.Ft. Garden Cart
8Cu.Ft. Utility Cart
11 1/2Cu.Ft. Jumbo Cart

Since 1986, the E-Z Haul cart has been manufactured in the United States, to provide cost effective service for new products and replacement parts. We carry a full line of replacement parts if you need to spruce up your old cart!

E-Z Haul Carts are Affordable, Durable and Versatile!