Tag Archive for: Farm Store

Keep Your Dog Warm and Protected This Winter

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When and Why to Use a Dog Coat

Protection from the Elements: Dog coats shield against rain, wind, and snow, which is particularly vital for short-haired, small, or elderly dogs.

Warmth: Coats offer additional warmth during chilly weather. Certain breeds are more sensitive to cold and may benefit from a coat when temperatures drop below 57°F (14°C).

Visibility: Coats equipped with reflective strips enhance a dog’s visibility during walks in the early morning, evening, or on dark winter days.

Comfort: A properly fitting coat can make walks more pleasurable for dogs who feel uncomfortable in the cold.

How to Choose the Right Coat

Consider the Weather: Select a lightweight, water-resistant shell for mild, rainy days. In freezing temperatures or heavy snow, choose an insulated, waterproof jacket.

Check the Fit: The coat should be snug yet not restrictive, allowing full freedom of movement while accommodating male dogs’ anatomy to prevent wetness when urinating.

Look at Materials:

Outer Layer: Opt for durable, waterproof materials like polyester, nylon, or a waterproof blend.

Lining: Common choices include fleece for warmth or down for insulation. Ensure the lining is breathable for your dog’s comfort.

Prioritize Safety and Function:

Avoid coats with small components, such as buttons or hooks, that could be chewed off.

Ensure the coat is machine washable, as it will inevitably get dirty.

Reflective elements are a valuable safety feature for any coat.

Try Before You Buy:

Stop by Burns Feed Store to explore our selection of sweaters, raincoats, hoodies, Sherpa-lined or smooth-lined waterproof blankets. We offer a variety of colors and sizes! If possible, bring your dog to the store to try on various sizes and styles to guarantee the best fit and comfort.

Maintaining Cattle Nutrition As The Temperatures Drop

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Maintaining Proper Nutrition As Temperatures Drop

As temperatures decrease, the quality of forages often declines. To ensure your herd maintains sufficient energy levels in preparation for calving, consider utilizing a Purina Cattle Accuration® Hi-Fat Tub with Intake Modifying Technology® in the pasture.

Signs That Your Cattle May Be Lacking Fat or Protein:

  • Cows appear thin
  • Decreased forage consumption
  • Digestive issues

Despite your best efforts to care for the land, fluctuations in the nutrient content of hay and pastures are common. This is when we highly recommend products like the Purina Accuration Hi-Fat tub.

When forage quality falls short, these supplements are specifically designed to address the nutrient deficiencies your herd may encounter. Simply place the supplement in the pasture, allowing your cattle to access the tub whenever they need nutritional support, thanks to Purina’s exclusive Intake Modifying Technology.

The Purina Accuration Hi-Fat Tub is a premium, weather-resistant protein tub that features Intake Modifying Technology. It is formulated with a higher fat content to provide additional energy, compensating for nutrient deficiencies in low-quality forages or for cattle with insufficient energy in their diet.

We Take The Importance of Cattle Nutrition Seriously

Cattle nutrition plays a crucial role, particularly as the seasons shift in the Pacific Northwest! If you’re interested in discussing cattle nutrition, feel free to reach out! We can arrange a farm visit with our Purina Feed Specialist to create a tailored feed and supplement plan that suits your herd’s needs. Just give us a call or drop us an email!

Phone: 503-663-3246

Email: [email protected]

Understanding Your Chickens During Molting Season

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Understanding Your Chickens During Molting Season

Is your flock causing a bit of chaos when you step into your backyard, resembling a scene from the Royal Rumble of pillow fights? Don’t panic; your hens are simply undergoing their molting phase! That’s right, those fluffy beauties are shedding old feathers and sprouting new ones, which are composed of an impressive 80-85% protein. This means they require a protein-packed diet to regrow their luxurious plumage. Curious about molting?

 

What is Molting?

Molting is essentially your chickens’ version of a makeover. It begins with stylish changes starting from the head and neck, gradually moving down to the wings and tail. Here’s a fun tidbit: they will experience two mini molts before their significant annual molt! The first mini molt occurs when they’re just tiny chicks, around 6-8 days old, while the second takes place between 7-12 weeks, when they begin to show off their vibrant rooster feathers.

Molt Season and Its Effects

Prepare yourself—molt season is here, if it hasn’t already made its presence known in your coop! As the days shorten (cue the sad trombone), egg production dips, and feathers scatter as your hens shed their old attire. But don’t lose hope! With the arrival of spring and longer days, egg-laying will make a comeback.

 

Supporting Your Hens Through Molting

To assist your hens during this feather fiasco, consider enhancing their protein intake with a high-protein feed, such as Purina High Protein. They will appreciate the 19% protein goodness, featuring black soldier fly larvae and the Oyster Strong® System. If you’re feeling a bit adventurous, you might want to add some supplemental light to your coop to encourage egg production during the darker months.

It’s also important to avoid changing their living arrangements or introducing new companions during this sensitive time. Keeping stress levels low is crucial, so consider providing a Flock Block or the new Farm To Flock Block for added enjoyment!

So, while your feathered friends may appear a bit down during molting, rest assured it’s merely a part of their natural beauty regimen!

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.