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Colic can be a tricky condition in horses, difficult to diagnose and effectively treat. With care, however, most horses do recover completely, and knowing how to deal with colic in horses can help you stay alert to your equine friend’s health. The better you understand colic, the more comfortable you can keep your horse during a painful bout and the better you can minimize the animal’s risk of another incident. What Is Colic? Colic is a relatively general term used to refer to abdominal pain. In horses, this pain may originate from various sources, including the stomach, intestines, or liver,...

It can be endearing to raise baby chicks, whether it is part of an urban homesteading plan, a family farm, or a classroom project. Young chicks are vulnerable and can easily become sick, however, and it is important to recognize symptoms of sick baby chicks in order to provide proper care for a healthy and thriving flock. Sick Baby Chick Diseases and Symptoms There are several common illnesses that might occur with any baby chicks, including young chickens, turkeys, quail, guineafowl, or ducks. Symptoms can be similar between these different diseases, but recognizing the signs of illness quickly can help...

Proper hydration is essential to keep all your livestock healthy in any season, from the blistering summer months to the icy depths of winter. By knowing how best to keep your cattle, horses, and backyard flock hydrated, you can protect their health and ensure every animal has adequate access to clean, fresh water. Why Hydration Matters Adequate hydration is critical for many bodily systems and clean, fresh water is necessary for good health. Water is an essential part of efficient digestion, joint and muscle lubrication, body insulation, waste elimination, delivering nutrients to cells throughout the body, skin and coat condition,...

Good nutrition is essential for the health of your herd, but there are many different factors that affect what nutrition your cattle need. By understanding your cattle's needs, you can adjust their diet to offer them the best possible feed in different situations. What Nutrition Cattle Need All cattle need a balanced diet that includes a variety of components, such as: Fiber and roughage Starch and carbohydrates Minerals, nutrients and salts Protein Fat Water The exact proportions of these dietary components can vary greatly depending on each animal's needs. Every cattle farmer, however, should be sure their herd is getting...

Spring is the busiest season of all on the farm, and understanding spring farm tasks is the first step in being ready to tackle each one for a productive and prosperous season. In spring… Snow melts and fields and roads flood.Moisture is essential for seeds to sprout and crops to grow, but the deluge of moisture in spring can wash out roads and flood fields. Inspecting roads and pathways for appropriate drainage is essential, and livestock should be examined so they do not suffer from moisture-related food trouble. Weather warms and animals are turned outside.After a long winter indoors, livestock...