Tag Archive for: gresham

Understanding Your Chickens During Molting Season

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

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.

E-Z Haul Carts

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!

 

Tag Archive for: gresham

Pet Pictures with Santa at Burns Feed Store

Bring your furry (or feathered!) friends for a holiday photo with Santa Claus – just in time for those holiday cards and keepsakes.
PLEASE READ DETAILS BELOW:
🕙 10:00 – 11:00 AM:
Livestock Only – Horses, llamas, alpacas, goats, cows, poultry, etc. Livestock must enter through our back gate off Dodge Park Blvd for easier trailer access.
🕚 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM:
All Other Pets – Dogs, cats, rabbits, rodents, small animals, and caged birds are welcome!
📸 FREE Digital Download of your Santa photo will be provided after the event!
💛 Donations will also be accepted to support NW Guide Dogs for the Blind during this time.
Whether your pet has hooves, paws, or feathers, we can’t wait to see them all dressed up and ready to meet Santa.

Chili Feed with Santa at Burns Feed Store

Kick off the holiday season with one of our favorite family traditions! Join us for a festive day of food, fun, and photos with Santa & Mrs. Claus. 🎅❤️
• FREE Chili & Soda from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
• Photos with Santa & Mrs. Claus – Includes a FREE digital download and a gift for each child. Santa arrives at 10AM!
• Hot Cocoa Bar – Warm up with something sweet and cozy!
Bring the whole family and soak up the holiday cheer at the feed store. No tickets or registration needed just come hungry and ready to celebrate!