Archive for the ‘Articles’ Category

Protect Pets from Summer Heat

Wednesday, June 25th, 2025

Protect Pets from Summer HeatTemperatures are soaring into the 90s and 100s and such intense heat is not only dangerous for humans but for pets as well. The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) offers a few tips to protect pets during summer heat waves.

Cars are potential death traps during the hot summer months because inside temperatures can quickly climb to more than 120 degrees Fahrenheit on even a mild sunny day. It’s best to leave your pet at home while running errands during hot weather.

If you absolutely must leave your pet in a car, please do the following:

  • Open windows and vents as wide as possible without providing an escape route; or, put your pet in a well-ventilated cage inside the car and open the windows fully.
  • Provide fresh water.
  • Check the car every 10 minutes.
  • If your pet is panting, has a staring or anxious expression, does not obey commands, has warm, dry skin and a high fever, rapid heartbeat, or is vomiting, lower the body temperature quickly with cool water – either by immersion or by spraying thoroughly with a garden hose. Call your veterinarian immediately.
  • If your pet lives outdoors, make sure there is adequate shelter for protection from the midday sun and heat. Outdoor kennels should be well-ventilated and in a shaded area. There should always be some shade for the pet to get out of the sun.
  • Also, make sure there is plenty of fresh drinking water available to your pet. The bowl should be placed in a shaded area where it cannot be heated by the sun.
  • Exercise is important, but overexertion during hot weather commonly causes heat stress. Avoid excessive exercise during hot days.
  • And, keep your pet well-groomed. Long hair and hair mats may need to be clipped to help cool the animal.

Source: Sand Road Animal Hospital

Purina Wind and Rain Sheep & Goat Mineral

Thursday, June 19th, 2025

wind and rain goat mineralPurina Wind and Rain Sheep & Goat Mineral has been added to the shelves at the Main Store! To learn more about Wind and Rain for goats click here.  For sheep, click here.

Purina Wind and Rain Sheep & Goat mineral is designed to address the vitamin and mineral deficiencies in forage, providing a comprehensive solution for small ruminant nutrition that drives productivity and helps producers better meet their goals. The patented manufacturing process and unique formulation offers several key “abilities” that contribute to the bottom line for every operation.

Features and Benefits

1. Weatherability:

One of the standout features of Wind and Rain minerals is the weather-resistant formulation. The exclusive Storm® technology ensures that the minerals resist water absorption and prevent clumping, even in wet conditions. This means that the minerals remain palatable and bioavailable, reducing waste and promoting more consistent intake.

2. Bioavailability:

Wind & Rain minerals contain a balanced ratio of 14 essential minerals, including Zinpro® Availa® amino acid complex trace minerals including zinc, manganese, and copper (in goat formulas only) which are critical for growth, immune support, and reproductive performance. The focus at Purina® is to make sure that the vitamins and minerals in Wind & Rain® products are research-proven ingredients that are of the highest quality to ensure that they are not just consumed by the animal, but that they are absorbed and utilized for maximum benefit.

3. Palatability:

It’s all about target intake levels. If you put a mineral out and your sheep or goats won’t eat it, you are compromising the genetic potential of that animal. At the same time, if the mineral tastes like candy, they will overconsume it, leading to a thinner pocketbook. When you’re evaluating your mineral options, ask for palatability research and look for studies that show mineral consumption at target intake levels. The coarse texture and high-quality ingredients used in Wind & Rain® minerals ensure that sheep and goats find them palatable enough to meet their needs, but not so palatable that they become wasteful.

4. Reliability:

Consistent intake and weather-resistant properties of Wind & Rain minerals mean that less product is wasted due to weather conditions. This makes them more economical to feed compared to conventional loose minerals, solidifying your return on investment year after year.

wind and rain sheep mineral

Come Rain or Shine: Altosid IGR Field Study

Thursday, May 15th, 2025

Purina's Wind and Rain with Altosid IGRCome Rain or Shine: Altosid IGR Field Study – Much like the weather, fly populations can be a bit unpredictable during certain times of year. That’s often been the case with horn flies on pasture cattle. Populations have been known to rise after heavy rainfall events. This has created some mild concerns as producers question whether their feed-through fly control products are working effectively. To learn more, Purina sent a team into the field to see the effect heavy rainfall has on Altosid IGR.

After conducting a study on various regions throughout the country, their team of experts came back with the same conclusion: heavy rainfall events can lead to a brief spike in horn fly numbers among cattle being treated with Altosid IGR. Yet all fly populations in the study returned to their normal levels of control within 1-2 weeks.

This information alone can be comforting. However, we wanted to provide treatment tips to help producers plan for and address these population spikes. Following these recommendations can work as an insurance against rising fly populations after heavy rainfall events.

Fly Control Tips:

  • Monitor your local weather forecast to better predict when to begin treatments for each season.
  • If you are already feeding Altosid IGR and notice fly populations exceeding the economic threshold following a rainfall event, knockdown adult fly populations with a spray such as Prolate/Lintox HD Insecticidal Spray and Backrubber from Starbar® Products.
  • Continue feeding Altosid IGR! The product is still working to provide effective horn fly control, and should limit populations to their expected levels within a few weeks of the rain.
  • Remember to feed Altosid IGR all the way through the season and 30 days after the last frost. This helps producers account for the unpredictability of the seasons and help limit the overwintering flies that will jumpstart the population the following spring.

Altosid IGR delivers effective horn fly control that producers have relied upon for nearly 50 years. While heavy rainfall may produce a brief uptick in horn fly numbers, producers that weather the storm and continue feeding Altosid IGR can help keep their cattle healthy and profitable all season long.

We offer Purina’s Wind & Rain Storm Fly Minerals, which are designed to reduce fly populations. Check out Kissimmee Feed’s Cattle Supplies here. Flies cause significant discomfort for cattle. As part of an integrated fly control program, Purina’s Wind and Rain with Altosid (MTH), helps restore cattle comfort while reducing factors that cause poor performance, and decreased grazing time. 225 lbs.

Article Source: Central Life Sciences.

Summer Flock Care: How to Keep Chickens Cool

Thursday, May 15th, 2025

Summer FlockSummer Flock Care: How to Keep Chickens Cool! Summer is a time for fun, adventure and excitement – for both backyard chicken raisers and their flocks. To keep birds cool in the summertime, provide fresh, cool water for hydration, maintain chicken coop ventilation and choose a layer feed with the Purina® Oyster Strong® System to help your hens lay strong and stay strong.

As humans, our habits change in the summer. We adapt to stay comfortable. By providing our backyard chickens the tools they need, they can also adapt and enjoy the sunshine. The summertime essentials are similar for both humans and backyard flocks: stay hydrated, protect yourself from the heat and maintain a complete and balanced diet.

Many people don’t realize that birds are unable to sweat. To cool down, they open their beaks and pant or spread their wings away from their bodies. If these cooling strategies are not enough, birds are more likely to become lethargic and may stop eating feed, which can lead to subsequent health challenges and reduced egg production.

We want to avoid these signs of heat stress by preventing problems before they begin. With the right care, birds will maintain their routines of foraging, pecking and chattering throughout the day.

Hydration is key: Provide the right chicken waterer

Staying hydrated in the summer is a clear choice for humans. As temperatures rise, a good rule for people to follow is to calculate half your body weight in pounds and drink the equivalent number of ounces of water.

For our backyard chickens, the practice should be similar: Clean, cool water is essential. Follow the general rule of providing 500 milliliters of fresh water per bird per day. This equates to one gallon for every seven adult birds.

Drinking water helps cool a chicken’s body temperature. In high temperatures, chickens will drink up to twice as much water as during temperate conditions. If birds do not have quality water, they are less likely to eat or lay eggs.

Here’s how to keep chickens cool through hydration:

  • Provide extra waterers so each bird always has access.
  • Place waterers in a shaded area to help keep the water cool and the coop dry.
  • Offer fresh, cool water in the morning and evening.
  • Freeze water in a storage container. Place the resulting ice in the chicken waterer in the morning to keep the water cool.
  • Place marbles in waterers to prevent splashing.
  • Wash waterers weekly with a mixture of 10 percent bleach and 90 percent water. Rinse thoroughly.

Chicken body temperature: Keep it in check

Think of your most recent day in the sun. You likely incorporated a few cooling practices to maintain an adequate body temperature and avoid heat stress.

A consistent body temperature is equally important for backyard flocks. Normal chicken body temperature is between 105 – 107 degrees Fahrenheit. If a bird’s body temperature climbs, it can cause a lasting strain. Create a cool and comfortable environment for your flock to enjoy.

Use these tips for keeping chickens cool and comfortable in warm weather:

  • Provide shade by placing roofs on the run or shade cloths over the door. Add misters outside of the chicken coop that spray onto the roof or shade cover for evaporative cooling.
  • Create adequate air flow to maintain chicken coop ventilation. Open all windows and roof vents to allow hot air and ammonia to escape. Add a small fan for air circulation.
  • Swap solid chicken coop doors with screen doors and keep lights off during the day. Reduce bedding to two inches or less to avoid heat being trapped.
  • Provide a peat moss dust bath for your backyard chickens to play in. If mites are a concern, switch to a mix of 90 percent peat moss, 10 percent diatomaceous earth.
  • Avoid overcrowding by providing at least 4 square feet of indoor space and 5 – 10 square feet of outdoor space per bird.

 

What to feed chickens in the summer

It can be argued that fresh-from-the-garden fruits and vegetables, summertime snacks and potluck picnics are true summer highlights. But, no matter the treat, it’s important to maintain a balance.

Summer is perfect for spending time in the backyard with your flock and giving them a few indulgent snacks, but don’t forget the 90/10 rule: 90 percent complete feed and 10 percent healthy treats or snacks!

Choose a layer feed with the Purina® Oyster Strong® System to help your hens lay strong and stay strong. Which layer feed Oyster Strong® System is right for your flock?

To help keep your flock’s diet in balance:

  • Give fresh complete chicken feed in the morning and evening in a shaded area, offering treats only after the flock has finished its complete feed.
  • Offer cold or frozen fruits and vegetables as a summertime treat.
  • Provide special treats such as Purina® Flock Block® or hen treats as a complement to a complete feed. Treats formulated specifically for birds can provide beneficial nutrients while keeping birds active.
  • Offer oyster shell to help maintain calcium intake and eggshell quality when birds may be eating less due to heat.
  • Provide at least six inches of feeder space per bird.

Summer heat tends to reduce feed intake, so the complete chicken feed should be the first dietary priority. When birds have a balanced diet, plenty of water and a cool, comfortable environment, they are better able to remain healthy and productive and enjoy a fun and peaceful backyard summer.

In conclusion, visit Kissimmee Valley Feed for poultry care!

Resources:

Patrick Biggs, Ph.D. for Purina Mills

Got Ticks? Chickens Might be the Best Way to Get Rid of Ticks

Monday, May 5th, 2025

Got Ticks? Chickens Might be the Best Way to Get Rid of TicksGot Ticks? Chickens Might be the Best Way to Get Rid of Ticks! Ticks are dangerous little arachnids. They can carry over a dozen different diseases such as Powassan virus, Lyme disease, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

In Florida, ticks are most active throughout Spring and Summer.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recently released that in the United States illnesses caused by mosquitos, ticks, and fleas have tripled since 2004. If someone has symptoms such as fever, a sore neck, tiredness, headaches, bull’s eye looking rashes, nausea, or any kind of aches all over their body, it could possibly be tick-related. Lyme Disease can cause other serious issues like heart problems, joint pain, and nervous system degeneration over time.

Tick Prevention:

There are many ways to fight these nuisances. Common ways to keep ticks at a distance is by keeping your grass short, spraying for bugs, and reducing leaf litter. Tactics such as these, however, can get expensive, tiresome, and often times they don’t work. One of the best ways to get rid of an arachnid problem is to produce a predator: chickens.

Chickens don’t only eat vegetation, in fact, they are omnivores.  A scientific study in 1991 tested the effect they had on tick reduction in a controlled environment. The results showed that not only were they a natural predator of ticks, but also that they removed an average of 81 ticks each among infested cattle. Chickens protected farm animals from arachnid sourced diseases in this case, which means they can also help households by protecting pets and family members from ticks.

Although chickens won’t eliminate the tick problem entirely, they can keep it controlled. Another predator besides chickens are guinea hens. They are omnivores and can help with insect, arachnid, and small pest problems. Unlike chickens, however, guinea do have a tendency to be loud. If the noise can be tolerated, these little hens can help keep disease away from your home.

Kissimmee Valley Feed has all your chicken and guinea needs covered. Check out our poultry feed selection here.

Resource: Texas Hill Country

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Owner: Stan Touchstone
1501 Eastern AveSaint Cloud, FL 34769
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