A perfect recipe for beginners!
You’ll be spoiled for life once you try this fabulous Strawberry Rhubarb Jam! You can enjoy it on toast, biscuits, scones, ice cream, yogurt… It will be a hit with all your friends and family.
If you’ve never made jam before, this Strawberry Rhubarb Jam is the best place to start. It’s super easy and doesn’t require any canning knowledge. Check out our recipe below:
Ingredients:
5 – 7 cups Rhubarb
1 – 2 cups Strawberries
½ cup Honey
1 ½ cups Granulated Sugar
2 packages of Strawberry Jello
1 cup Water (optional)
Finely chop fruit. Add honey and sugar. Leave in the fridge overnight. Boil on the stove with packages of Jello and water for 20 minutes, until thick.
Place in jars. Cool. Freeze. When using, keep refrigerated for up to 6 weeks.
Tips:
Adjust the sugar amount to taste if you like your jam to be sweet or if you like it to be more tart. Optionally, use 1 cup of water for a smoother spreading jam.
Guide to Harvesting Your Vegetable Garden
You took the time to make a garden plan, invest in quality seeds, nurture seedlings indoors, and carefully tend each plant. Now, the question is, when should you harvest your vegetable garden?
Seed packets and plant tags for transplants typically offer guidelines on growing times and maturity. They also list the number of days before maturity. However, those projections are not always a reliable indicator of vegetable maturity and ripeness. A chilly spring can delay ripening, whereas warmer-than-normal weather might hasten ripening. Soil fertility, lack of precipitation, or too much precipitation may also affect maturity. While days to maturity provide a baseline, gauging peak ripeness often requires hands-on assessment.
Best Practices for Harvesting
Timing: For most vegetables, the ideal time to harvest is in the morning, after the dew has dried but before the sun warms the plants. This timing preserves water content, ensuring leafy greens, beans, cucumbers, and squash are at their crispest. However, there are a few exceptions (such as tomatoes and peppers) when a lower water content is preferable. For these types of vegetables, it’s good to wait until there have been a few dry days and then pick them in the heat of the day, allowing the sugar content to be at its highest concentration, yielding optimum flavor.
Handling: To minimize plant damage and disease, gently harvest vegetables by twisting or cutting them off with clean tools like knives or scissors. Avoid stepping on plants, as healthy stems and foliage are crucial for sustained production.
Frequency: Regular harvesting encourages continuous production. Plants naturally cease fruiting once seeds reach maturity, underscoring the importance of consistent harvests to prolong yield.
Tips for Effective Harvesting
Flavor and Nutrition: Vegetables such as beans, peas, and summer squash are tastiest when young and tender. In contrast, tomatoes and winter squash develop full flavor when left to ripen fully on the vine.
Size Matters: While size often indicates maturity (consult seed packet specifics), practice and experience refine judgment on optimal harvest times for various vegetables.
Tool Selection: Use appropriate tools—like scissors for delicate crops and knives or pruners for tougher stems—to avoid plant damage and ensure clean cuts.
Environmental Considerations: Harvest early in the day for peak flavor and nutrition retention. Avoid harvesting during wet conditions to prevent disease spread and maintain vegetable quality.
Leafy Greens: Begin harvesting outer leaves first to promote continued growth of inner foliage in lettuces and similar plants.
By following these guidelines, you’ll maximize the flavor, nutrition, and longevity of your garden’s bounty, ensuring a rewarding harvest season. Happy harvesting!
Fore more garden related information, check out our other blogs:
What Type of Garden Best Suits Your Needs
Gardening Tips for Beginners
How to Successfully Grow a Vegetable Garden
Starting Seeds Indoors Using Peat Pellets
Understanding Heat Stress in Chickens
Heat stress is a serious concern that can severely impact the health and productivity of chickens in the summer months. As a responsible poultry keeper, understanding the causes, signs, and preventative measures of heat stress in chickens is essential to ensure the well-being of your birds, even on the hottest days. In this blog, you’ll learn all about heat stress and what you can do to keep your flock cool this summer.
What is Heat Stress?
Heat stress occurs when a chicken’s body temperature exceeds the normal range of 105°F to 107°F, which puts excessive stress on the chicken’s body systems. As the body temperature rises, this pressure increases which can lead to organ damage, decreased egg production and potentially death. Several factors can affect a chicken’s tolerance to heat, including age, breed, genetics, and whether or not preventative measures have been taken to avoid heat stress.
Causes of Heat Stress in Chickens:
While we know that rising body temperatures cause it, there are several factors that may cause heat stress in chickens:
- High ambient temperatures
- High humidity levels
- Poor coop ventilation
- Overcrowding
- Lack of shaded areas
- Lack of water access
- Age & breed of birds
What Are the Symptoms of Heat Stress in Chickens?
Knowing the signs and symptoms of heat stress is crucial to prevent illness and potential death in your flock. Let’s take a look at some of the telltale symptoms to watch for:
Panting & Rapid Breathing—During heat stress, chickens may exhibit rapid, open-mouth breathing in an attempt to dissipate internal heat.
Pale Comb & Wattles—Since the comb and wattles are the only parts of a chicken’s body that have direct skin-to-air access, extra body heat can escape through them, making the skin appear shriveled and pale.
Outspread & Drooping Wings—Holding their wings away from their body in a drooped position allows more airflow to their skin, releasing trapped heat through evaporative cooling.
Seeking Shade & Prolonged Resting—Most activity generates heat, so your chickens may seek a shady spot to rest during hot weather. You may notice them spending less time roaming and more time lying down and resting, and this is because they are trying to reduce heat production and conserve what little energy they may have. If your chickens become lethargic and aren’t moving, this may indicate that heat stress has progressed to heat stroke and immediate action must be taken.
Eating Less, Drinking More—Since bodily processes like eating and digestion generate heat through metabolic heat production, you may find that your chickens eat less during hot weather. However, they may increase their water intake by 2-4 times their normal amount when they are hot, as drinking cool water helps cool them down from the inside out.
Decreased Egg Production—High temperatures can take a toll on the reproductive function of hens, and they may stop laying eggs if their bodies experience heat stress. Additionally, because eggs are mostly made up of water, a dehydrated, heat-stressed hen won’t have enough body moisture to keep producing eggs.
Diarrhea—Heat stress can disrupt digestive processes in chickens due to reduced feed digestion and electrolyte imbalances. This can result in diarrhea, which may cause your chicken to become dehydrated from moisture loss in the body.
Increased Vocalization—Chickens in distress from heat stress may become more vocal as they try to express their discomfort and seek relief from the heat.
How to Prevent Heat Stress in Chickens:
Knowing how to prevent heat stress and being proactive in preparing for hot weather is imperative to the health and productivity of your flock during the summer months. By implementing these preventative measures, you could save your feathered friends’ lives!
Provide Lots of Water—Offer fresh, cool water to your chickens at all times and allow them to drink it freely. Try to place waterers in shady spots. You can even add a few ice cubes to the water to keep it cool for your flock. Just be careful not to add too many, as icy cold water may be a shock to the body of a hot chicken. Pick up some extra chicken waterers at your local Feeds’n Needs!
*Bonus—Offer cold treats to your chickens on hot days! Things like cold watermelon slices, ice cube treats with fruits and vegetables, or adding tasty snacks like peas or dried mealworms to a bowl of cold water are great ways to help your chickens keep cool and encourage them to stay hydrated.
Supplement Electrolytes—When chickens experience intense heat, their electrolyte levels can become imbalanced. Electrolytes are essential to maintaining normal bodily functions and hydration. On hot days, add a water-soluble electrolyte supplement such as Electrovite or Stress ADE to your chicken’s water to help maintain healthy electrolyte levels. Find these supplements and more at Feeds’n Needs.
Avoid Overcrowding—When many chickens are kept together in a crowded space, their body temperature is elevated by the temperatures of all the birds around them. This is why it is important to make sure that you can provide your chickens with lots of space, especially on hot days. If having them free range isn’t an option, ensure your coop or run allows 8 square feet per bird to prevent overcrowding.
Proper Coop Ventilation—Ensuring your coop is well ventilated to allow lots of airflow is important, especially on hot days when heat stress is a concern. When ventilating your coop, keep predator safety in mind and make sure no predators can get to your flock. If you are able to run electricity to your coop, consider setting up a fan to give your chickens an extra cool breeze!
Provide Shade & Cooling Measures—Make sure your chickens have access to shady areas to rest and relax on hot days! Whether it be natural shade sources like trees and shrubs or man-made shade sources like awnings or a tarp strung up over the run, your chickens will appreciate having a place to rest away from direct sunlight. Additionally, implement cooling measures like shallow pools of water or misters around the yard for your flock to take advantage of in the heat!
Adjust Their Feeding Schedule—Since eating and the whole digestion process generates heat, consider feeding your chickens in the morning and evening when the temperatures may be a bit lower.
Provide Dust Baths—Dust bathing keeps chickens’ feathers clean and healthy and helps them regulate their body temperature by kicking cool soil onto their skin. On hot days, provide your chickens with dust baths in shaded areas; they’ll definitely appreciate it!
Monitor Environmental Conditions and Chicken’s Behavior—By monitoring the outdoor temperature and humidity levels, you will be better prepared to implement heat stress preventative measures for your flock when necessary. Additionally, closely monitoring your chickens for signs and symptoms that may indicate heat stress and jumping into action if needed could save the lives of your birds!
Now that you have learned all about heat stress in chickens, you should be well equipped to take the proper precautions to prevent your flock from suffering in the heat. Drop by your local Feeds’n Needs store to stock up on emergency supplies like extra waterers and electrolyte supplements so you and your chickens will be well prepared for the next heat wave!
Looking for more poultry-related content? Check out our other posts!
How to Introduce New Chickens to Your Flock
Hens’ Health Throughout the Seasons
Predator Proofing Your Chicken Coop
Tips for Camping with Your Dog
Camping with your dog can be an enriching experience with adventure and bonding opportunities. However, it requires careful planning and preparation to ensure you and your furry friend have a safe and enjoyable trip. In this blog, we’ll explore the essential steps you must take when heading into the great outdoors with your canine companion. We’ve got you covered, from packing the gear to understanding campsite etiquette. So, grab your leash and get ready for an unforgettable camping journey with your dog!
Find Pet-Friendly Campsites & Activities
Before you can plan your camping trip, you need to find out if your campground allows dogs and, if so, if there are any specific rules they may have, such as how many dogs are permitted at a campsite, leash laws, if there are designated K9 potty areas, etc.
Additionally, you should check if the hiking trails or attractions you have planned for your trip allow dogs. Leashed dogs are usually permitted; however, checking beforehand and planning your trip from there is always best.
Pack The Right Camping Gear
When camping with dogs, packing the right gear is critical for ensuring your trip is a success. Let’s break down some of the basic essentials:
Tent—Make sure your tent is big enough for everyone to sleep comfortably. When deciding what size tent to bring, consider the size of your dog (or dogs) and how many people will be camping with you.
Floor Mats—Dogs have sharp claws that could potentially poke holes in your tent flooring. Lining your tent floor with inexpensive indoor/outdoor floor mats can prevent holes and make tent cleanup much easier!
Sleep Setup—The key to a great night’s rest while camping is ensuring everyone has a comfortable place to sleep! If you’re not keen on sharing a bed with your dog, give them their own place to sleep – whether it be a dog bed from home, their own inflatable sleeping pad or a cot with blankets. Make sure they’ll be able to keep warm if the temperature drops overnight and bring a cooling pad for them in case it gets hot. Find your dog a cozy bed to keep them comfy at Feeds’n Needs!
* Pro Tip—Ensure your dog gets lots of exercise during the day to help tire them out for bedtime!
Tie-Outs—Since most campgrounds require dogs to be on a leash at all times, a tie-out for the campsite makes it easy to keep your dog from running off without you having to hold a leash. Tie-outs can be attached to ground stakes or a tree (if there are any on your campsite), or you can create a “zipline” by attaching a tie out to 2 trees and clipping another tie out to it; that way, your dog has more freedom to move about the campsite. Consider placing your dog’s bed or camp chair outside so they can rest comfortably off the ground. Stop by your local Feeds ‘n Needs and check out our selection of tie-outs and ground stakes!
* Disclaimer—Never leave your dog tied up for prolonged periods of time or unsupervised at the campsite.
Food, Water & Accessories—Portion out each meal your dog will eat while camping in Ziploc baggies to make mealtime quick and easy – especially when you’re on the go! Store the baggies of food in a rolltop storage bag or airtight container to keep unwanted critters away from it. Collapsable food and water bowls are great for camping as they take up little space, and some can even clip to your backpack! Be sure to bring lots of drinking water for you and your dog, and try to avoid letting them drink from streams or puddles as they can be host to disease.
* Pro Tip – In the event you run out of clean drinking water, you can purify water from rivers, lakes, or streams by boiling it and making sure it stays at a rolling boil for at least one minute.
Leashes, Collars & ID—Make sure you pack your pet’s collar, leash, and harness before you go. Consider packing an extra collar and leash as a backup. Additionally, make sure your pet’s collar has an up-to-date ID tag. If they’re microchipped, ensure that information is also up to date. If you have a GPS-tracking collar for your dog, you can bring that along, too. If your dog gets lost while on your trip, making sure they can be identified when found is important. Be prepared by getting your pet ID tags made at Feeds’ n Needs! (Select Locations)
First Aid & Safety—Their safety is a top priority when camping or doing anything outdoors with your dog! Before you leave for your trip, research where the nearest 24-hour emergency vet is and write down their contact information. It is also recommended that you bring a doggie first aid kit with you. You can purchase these or easily make your own, including things like gauze and self-adhering wound wrap, antibacterial wipes or spray, tweezers, a tick remover, hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting if your dog ingests anything harmful, children’s Benadryl for allergic reactions (ask your vet about dosage), and any medications prescribed by your veterinarian. It may also be a good idea to include special paperwork such as your dog’s vaccination records and proof of ownership with your first aid kit in case you need it. Check out the selection of animal health and first aid supplies at your local Feeds ‘n Needs and start building your own K9 first aid kit!
Other Things to Pack:
- Poop Bags (Lots!)
- Dog Treats to reward good behaviour
- Dog Toys to keep them occupied at the campsite
- Dog backpack so your dog can help carry their own supplies
- Bug repellant (Dog safe)
- Lighting (headlamps, glow collar to see your dog at night)
- Cooling vest to keep your pooch cool in the heat
- Raincoat for your dog in case it rains
- Dog boots to protect their paws from rough terrain, hot pavement, or hot sand
- Towel to dry your dog off if they get wet or dirty
Practice & Prepare Before You Go
Being well-prepared for your trip before you leave is the best way to ensure you have everything you need once you get there. Make a list of all the supplies you need to bring and double check that you’ve got everything before you head out. If your dog has never been camping with you before, they may benefit from some practice at home. Set up your tent in your backyard and camp out for the night with your dog to get them used to the sounds and experience of being in a tent. You can also plan a few day trips hiking or adventuring with your dog to get them better prepared for the big camping trip! At the end of the day, patience will be essential when taking your dog camping. New surroundings and smells can overwhelm them, so give them time to adjust and reward them with lots of treats and praise along the way!
Camping Etiquette
Once you arrive at the campground, it is important to be respectful of your fellow campers and hikers. Being mindful of your dog’s barking at late hours, respecting leash laws, and picking up after your dog are all ways to practice good camping etiquette while on your trip.
Camping with your dog can be a fantastic adventure. With the right preparation and our expert advice in mind, you and your furry friend are sure to enjoy a safe, fun-filled trip, making memories to last a lifetime! Stop by one of our 14 Feeds ‘n Needs locations across the Maritimes to pick up some of these K9 camping essentials! Stay safe and happy camping!
Ready to explore more expert advice topics? Check out these similar posts!
Road Trip Safety for Your Dog
Animal Welfare During a Heat Wave
Water Safety for Dogs
Sources:
25 Camping With Dogs Tips, Tricks, and Top Gear (countryliving.com)
Camping With Dogs – A Beginner’s Guide | GoPetFriendly.com
A guide to camping with your dog – She Gets Around
How to Camp With Your Dog: What To Know and What To Bring (rover.com)
How to Make a First Aid Kit for Dogs, Cats & Other Pets | Tractor Supply Co.
How to Grow a Salsa Garden
If you’re a fan of fresh, homemade salsa, then this is the perfect summer project for you! Planting your own salsa garden is not only beginner-friendly, but it’s also a source of immense satisfaction. Follow these simple instructions and you’ll soon be enjoying delicious, fresh salsa made from ingredients you’ve grown yourself.
Step 1: Select an area that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight daily. A 4×4-foot raised bed or square-foot garden will grow plenty of ingredients for fresh salsa. If you are starting with a new bed, starting small (4×4) will give you a good idea of how much produce you actually use. You can change your garden plan accordingly for the following year. Your salsa garden can be in-ground, in a raised bed, or grown in containers.
Step 2: The next step is deciding what you want to put into your salsa. The basic ingredients are tomatoes, peppers, garlic, onions, and cilantro. Feel free to experiment with other vegetables, such as hot peppers and corn. Feeds’n Needs has a large selection of Vesey’s Seeds to choose from.
Step 3: Follow the growing steps on the back of your seed packages for the best results. If you’re planting from seed, the rule of thumb is to bury the seeds 2-3 times the debit of their diameter.
Step 4: If you’re starting with plants that you started indoors, bury them as deep as they are planted in their original container.
Step 5: Water, weed, fertilize, and harvest weekly throughout the growing season. Enjoy the abundance of fresh veggies and herbs and create a personalized salsa based on your taste buds!
Tackling Your Dog’s Car Anxiety
When travelling with your dog, car anxiety can make the trip stressful for both you and your pet. Signs of car anxiety in dogs include car sickness, excessive drooling, barking, whining, and other anxious behaviors. Don’t worry—we’ve got some solutions to help with tackling your dog’s car anxiety for a good road trip experience for everyone!
Identifying travel anxiety in your pet can range from mild to severe and can be very different for each dog. These symptoms often include the following:
- Refusal to get into the car.
- Moderate to severe whining, crying, or barking.
- Excessive drooling, panting, lip licking, or yawning.
- Possible urination or defecation in the car.
- Shivering or panic.
- Trying to escape the vehicle through the window or the second the door opens.
- Chewing or licking themselves.
- Destructive behaviours.
- Nausea and vomiting.
How to Reduce Your Dog’s Car Anxiety
It’s important to address the issue and learn how to calm your dog in the car as soon as you notice symptoms of car anxiety. Develop a positive reaction to your vehicle before they get into it. Try the following step-by-step guide to help ensure you have a happy pup!
- Walk slowly towards the car and reward your dog with their favourite toy or treats as they approach your vehicle. Repeat this process until your dog feels comfortable.
- Open the door of your car and reward your dog. Slowly walk away with your dog sitting next to the vehicle and repeat this step several times.
- Once your dog can stand next to the car with the door open, encourage them to investigate the vehicle on their own. As they do this, talk to them and reassure them with their favourite toy or treats.
- While your dog is in the car, close the door briefly and then open it again. Repeat this process until your dog can comfortably stay in the car for a minute.
- If your dog remains calm, enter the front seat and start the car. Reward your dog and then turn off the engine.
- Start the car once more before trying to drive a short distance. Reward your dog every time you bring the vehicle to a stop, gradually increasing the journey time if they remain calm.
- Practice makes perfect.
Additionally, give your dog a puzzle toy to keep them busy during the journey, take regular breaks, avoid loud music, and keep the car cool. It’s also important to exercise your dog before the trip, consider calming treats or oils, and consult your Vet if your dog experiences motion sickness.
If your dog experiences motion sickness in the car, it’s important to talk to your Vet about which method might work best for your pup. Using a car seat cover can help prevent stains and prevent you from having to clean the seats of your vehicle. Many dogs even find comfort in the materials of car seat covers, allowing them to be even more comfortable.
These are just some simple tips, but practicing with your dog to help them feel more at ease about travelling in a vehicle will ensure road trips are much more pleasant for everyone! Be sure to pack water to keep your dog hydrated, and never leave your dog unattended in your car for any reason, especially during warmer weather, as this can lead to heat stroke and even death.
Visit your local Feeds’ n Needs to find products that can help your dog have a positive car experience. If you have any questions, ask the Experts during your visit.
Check out our blog on Road Trip Safety for Your Dog for more advice on keeping your dog healthy and happy in the car.
A Guide to Watering Pigs in the Summer
Ensuring your pigs have access to fresh drinking water at all times can feel like a never-ending challenge. These mud-loving animals are notorious for being able to tip over water troughs and buckets with their brute strength. How can you avoid this and be sure your pigs have clean water to drink 24/7? Our guide to watering pigs in the summer offers tips, tricks and products to keep your pigs cool and hydrated all summer!
Why Do Pigs Need Access to Water at All Times?
Did you know that pigs don’t have functional sweat glands? This means that instead of sweating, pigs must find other ways to keep cool to avoid heat stress and maintain healthy bodily functions. In the summer months, when the temperature may exceed 25 degrees Celsius, pigs can consume two times more water than they would on a cooler day. This is because the cool water helps them regulate their body temperature. Pigs love to roll around in mud and water because when they get wet, a process called “evaporative cooling” takes place, which helps the pig maintain a normal body temperature.
How Much Water Do Pigs Need Each Day?
How much water a pig needs to drink daily can vary based on several factors. Age, size, weather, and what the pig is eating are all things that need to be taken into consideration when it comes to swine water requirements. The chart below is a basic guide to pigs’ daily water requirements; however, our experts still recommend talking to your farm vet to help you determine your pigs’ water requirements.
Watering Systems for Pigs
Depending on how many pigs you have and how your farm is set up, there are several different ways to deliver constant fresh drinking water to your pigs. Let’s go over the best manual and automatic watering systems for swine:
Manual Watering Systems for Pigs – A manual watering system is something like a trough, bucket or tub that requires you to clean and refill daily. Whatever you use as a manual waterer must be durable and heavy so your pigs can’t damage or knock it over. The sides need to be low enough for the smaller pigs to be able to drink from but high enough to prevent mud or bedding from contaminating the water. Try placing a couple of cinder blocks at the bottom of your trough or tub to weigh them down and provide footing for any pigs who may accidentally fall in.
Automatic Watering Systems for Pigs – Automatic watering systems provide a continuous flow of drinking water for your pigs without the hassle of having to clean and refill a tub or trough. Pig water nipples and drinking cups are examples of popular and effective automatic watering systems that have animal-activated stem valves to ensure that your pigs are getting water when they need it without spilling everywhere and making a mess. These valves can be screwed into a garden hose and attached to the wall of your pig pen at a height of roughly two inches above where the shoulder of your smallest pig would reach. If your barn doesn’t have the option of running water through a hose, you can hook up your pig water nipples or cups to the side of a large plastic water barrel. You can even hook up your barrel to a rain barrel outside the barn to keep it filling automatically. Additionally, these auto waterers can be hooked up to large livestock tanks to provide water to pigs who may be on pasture.
Sometimes, all it takes are the right tools and a bit of creativity when it comes to pig watering solutions, so stop by your local Feeds’n Needs and chat with one of our Experts about which watering system may work best for your pigs. We’re here to help!
Be sure to check out our other blogs, where you’ll find helpful information on a wide range of topics!
feedsnneeds.ca/experts-advice/
Sources:
Keeping Pigs Cool in the Summer Heat (psu.edu)
How To Water Pigs: Equipment Tips, Winter Care & More – Hobby Farms
Water – Small Scale Pig Farming
The Easy Guide To Watering Your Pigs (qcsupply.com)
Preparing for Your New Kitten
Adjusting to a new home can be a major transition for your kitten. Preparing for your new kitten is essential to help them settle and stay safe in their new environment. As you prepare for your new kitten’s arrival, there is a lot to do to ensure you have the right supplies and get your home and family ready. Key things to consider are kitten-proofing your home, buying the right kitten supplies, choosing appropriate food, and preparing your family and pets for your new addition. Our blog will teach you some tips on preparing for your new kitten and giving your furry friend the best start in life.
How to Kitten Proof Your Home?
Kittens are curious creatures and love to climb, explore and hide, so it’s important to do some kitten-proofing of your home before you pick up your new family member to ensure it’s safe for them. Here is our checklist to help you prepare:
Remove Serious Hazards—Electrical wires and outlets can be hard to manage as many are at ground level. Kittens and cats are attracted to loose wires and cables. Consider taping the wires to baseboards or the underside of tables and desks. Add covers to plug sockets to avoid any possible hazards.
Poisonous Foods—Many human foods can be toxic to cats or cause digestive issues, including onions, garlic, raw eggs, raw meat, chocolate, grapes, and raisins. Keep these foods out of your kitten’s reach and only feed them the proper kitten food.
Toxic House Plants—Some house plants can be highly toxic to cats; common ones include lilies, aloe vera, amaryllis, cutleaf philodendron, pothos, jade plants, snake plant, sago palm, english ivy, dieffenbachia, kalanchoe, lily of the valley, hyacinth, oleander, yew, tulips, daffodils, chrysanthemum, and poinsettias. Ask your veterinarian for a complete list of toxic house plants for cats. Remove these plants from your home before your new kitten’s arrival.
Dangerous Substances—Ensure medicine, cleaning products, and other toxic substances are stored safely. Some flea treatments for dogs can be dangerous to cats, and antifreeze is lethal. If you have any traps for ants or other pests, dispose of them safely.
Small Objects—Kittens are extremely curious, so put away small items, such as buttons, needles, thread, dental floss, elastic bands, and earplugs. This will prevent your kitten from swallowing any objects it could choke on. You’ll also want to check to be sure any breakable items are out of reach to kittens.
Hiding Places—Kittens tend to hide in places like laundry baskets, tumble dryers and under furniture. Spot the areas where your kitten’s likely to hide and either block them off or be careful as you move around your home to ensure they don’t get trapped. Be aware that chairs or gliders can crush an unwary kitten.
Supplies You’ll Need for Your Kitten:
Be prepared. Have essential supplies on hand before your furry friend arrives if you can. The first few days with a new kitten are the best time for bonding and forming good habits. Here are some of the essentials we recommend you’ll need for your new kitten:
– Food and water bowl
– Carrier
– Bedding
– Collar and ID tags
– Litterbox and litter
– Kitten food
– Grooming equipment – Cat brush and/or flea comb, and nail clippers
– Toothbrush and pet-safe toothpaste
– Scratching post and kitten-safe toys
– Cat tree
Choosing the Right Food for Your New Kitten:
Choosing the right food for your kitten is essential. As they grow, they need a precise balance of nutrients, including protein, vitamins, and minerals, at each stage. The first year of a cat’s life sets the pace for their future development, health, and well-being.
At first, give them the same brand of food they’ve been eating from their previous home to avoid issues from a sudden diet change. Start by gradually mixing small amounts of the new food in with the current diet, increasing the amount of the new food each day over seven to ten days. Chat with one of our Experts in-store for more information on getting your furry friend started on the right diet. We are here to help!
Provide your kitten with plenty of clean, fresh water. Change the water each day, and consider investing in a low-cost “cat fountain” which recirculates water and is often more attractive to kittens than a simple bowl.
During your next visit to Feeds’n Needs, ask us about our Free Pet Food Loyalty Program – Yes, FREE! Your pet deserves the best, which is why we have a large variety of quality brands to suit every need throughout your pet’s life. For most of our brands in-store, every 12 bags of pet food purchased, you will receive the 13th FREE. Ask our Experts how to sign up and start saving today because it’s not just your pet who deserves to be treated!
Introducing Your New Kitten to Other Household Pets:
During the initial adjustment period (at least seven to ten days), it is a good idea to confine your new kitten to a small room in your house. This room must be kitten-proofed entirely, as it should be the only room you leave your kitten in unsupervised at first. This gives your kitten a safe space to explore while you gradually introduce it to the rest of your home. This is especially important if you have other pets at home; it’s important to introduce pets in a safe and controlled way. Let pets get used to each other through a baby gate or with the new pet crated. Keep their initial interactions short and supervised.
Now that you have tips on preparing for your new kitten, you’re ready to bring your furry friend home! Visit your local Feeds’n Needs and chat with our Experts. Whether it is training tips, toy recommendations, or choosing the perfect food to suit your pet’s needs, you can count on our team to happily help you every step of the way! Also, be sure to ask us about our New Pet Parent brochure and savings! We are here to help get you and your furry friend off to a great start!
Disclaimer: Product availability and selection may vary by store. Please check your local store for availability.
For more helpful tips and tricks for cat owners, check out other blogs:
Dental Health Tips for Your Cat
Outdoor Safety for Indoor Cats
New Pet Essentials
How Long Are Farm Fresh Eggs Good For?
Nothing is better than fresh eggs straight from the coop, but how long are farm fresh eggs good for? Several factors influence the freshness of eggs and their shelf life, so whether you’re just starting out raising chickens or an experienced homesteader, we’re here to fill you in on the knowledge and techniques you’ll need to determine whether or not the eggs you’ve collected are fresh and safe to eat.
How to Properly Clean Eggs:
Did you know that eggs have a natural protective coating over them called a bloom? This coating seals the pores of the egg, preserving its freshness and preventing harmful bacteria like salmonella from getting inside. This is why it’s important to be careful when cleaning your eggs. If the egg is relatively clean when collected, you can brush off dirt or debris with a dry cloth or brush, and if the eggs are quite dirty, gently rinse them under cool water with your hands. When eggs are cleaned excessively, it gets rid of dirt and bacteria, but also strips away the protective coating. Once the protective coating is gone, the eggs become more susceptible to contamination, and their shelf life is shortened.
How Long Can You Store Eggs?
Refrigerated Eggs Shelf Life – Because they are so sensitive to temperature and humidity fluctuations, eggs should be stored in a cool spot in your refrigerator where the temperature is below 7 degrees Celsius. If stored correctly in the fridge, farm fresh eggs can be stored for up to 6 weeks.
Unrefrigerated Eggs Shelf Life – Since warm temperatures will make eggs go bad faster, store your eggs in a cool area with no direct sunlight. Unrefrigerated eggs that are stored properly can stay fresh for up to 2 weeks.
Always label eggs with the date they were collected, that way you have a rough idea of how fresh they are and when they should be discarded.
How to Test if an Egg is Fresh
There are a few simple ways to test the freshness of an egg, you can do these tests right after collecting eggs or before you use them:
Float Test:
- Place your egg in a bowl of cold water.
- If the egg sinks to the bottom and lies horizontally, it’s very fresh and safe to eat.
- If the egg floats a bit or stands vertically, it’s past its peak freshness but is still edible.
- If the egg floats to the surface, the egg is old and should be thrown out.
Visual Inspection:
- Check for any cracks or powdery mold on the shell – Discard the egg if it’s cracked or moldy.
- Crack the egg open – Fresh eggs have thick, firm egg whites, plump, round yolks, and very little spreading. Old eggs will have flat yolks and watery egg whites and may not be safe to consume.
- If the shell is thin or brittle, it means that egg didn’t get enough calcium while being formed. Since these shells are weak, they are easily contaminated and shouldn’t be eaten.
Smell Test: Fresh eggs should have little to no smell when cracked open. Old eggs may have a strong, sulfurous odor. If your egg smells rotten, throw it out.
It’s essential to understand the importance of taking the proper precautions when handling and storing eggs to prevent foodborne sickness. A good rule of thumb when testing an egg to determine freshness is “When in doubt, throw it out.”
Visit our experts in store if you have any questions and be sure to check out our selection of poultry supplies and feed while you’re there!
For more expert advice on all things poultry and homesteading, check out our blog:
How to Introduce New Chickens to Your Flock
Hens Health Throughout the Seasons
Predator Proofing Your Chicken Coop
How to Keep Wild Animals Out of Your Garden
Growing a garden requires lots of time and dedication, so it can be frustrating when wild animals come along and help themselves to your plants! Getting rid of these pests can be tricky but not impossible, and as long as you know what type of animal intruder you’re dealing with, you can find a solution to keep them out!
Repellants – Repellants are applied on or around plants to deter animals from snacking in your garden. Since not all repellants are food-safe, be sure to read the label before applying it to any fruits or vegetables. Reapply every 5 – 7 days since they can lose their effectiveness over time, or rain can wash the repellants away.
There are two types of animal repellants typically sold in stores:
- Taste: These repellants contain ingredients that taste bad to animals, so when an animal tries to nibble on your plants, it will be met with a foul taste that won’t have it coming back for seconds.
- Smell: These repellants are formulated to trick pesky wildlife into thinking that a rival animal or predator is already in the area by producing a scent that mimics other animals.
A longtime customer favourite for repelling thieving wildlife is Critter Ridder animal repellant. Available in granular or liquid formulations, Critter Ridder’s foul taste effectively repels unwanted animals when applied on or around plants.
Fencing – Animals can’t eat what’s growing in your garden if they can’t get to it. When done right, building a fence is one of the most effective ways to keep out pests. The key to protecting your garden with a fence is knowing what animals you need to keep out. Fences can be built from materials like chicken wire, hardware cloth, wood, plastic mesh, etc. They can be a permanent installation or set up temporarily during the gardening season. Regardless of what you use to build your fence and how tall you make it, we recommend extending it into the ground by at least one foot to prevent pests like groundhogs from burrowing underneath it. Visit your local Feeds’n Needs to see our selection of fencing options and ask our experts which one may work best for you.
Scare Tactics – Another way to deter wildlife in your garden is to scare them away. Things like scarecrows, motion sensor lights or sprinklers, reflective tape or faux predator decoys can spook animals and prevent them from coming near your garden. These tools may lose effectiveness over time as animals become familiar with them, so frequently switching up your scare methods and moving things around can help maintain the element of surprise. Find products like scare-eye balloons, buzzline bird scarers and more at Feeds’n Needs and say goodbye to pests around your home!
Plants – Did you know certain plants can help keep animals away from your garden? Like us, animals have food preferences, and most aren’t fans of plants that are incredibly fragrant, have fuzzy or prickly foliage, or have a bitter taste. Try planting some of these fragrant plants around your garden to help deter unwanted wildlife:
- Lavender
- Marigolds
- Sage
- Mint (Be careful when planting mint, as it can quickly take over your yard!)
- Chrysanthemums
- Geraniums
- Lemongrass
Raised Garden Beds – Depending on what type of animal you’re trying to deter, planting in raised garden beds or window boxes may help prevent damage from pests. You can even go a step further and put fencing around your raised beds to protect your plants from deer and other wildlife that could easily reach a raised bed.
Contain Garbage, Compost, Birdseed – Keep bins of garbage, compost, birdseed, or other food sources secure in sealed containers to prevent pests like raccoons, skunks, and squirrels from sniffing it out and drawing them into your yard.
Our experts want to help you get the most out of your garden this year, so stop in at your local Feeds’n Needs to find the supplies you need to keep the pests away! While you’re there, remember to check out our garden section and stock up on Vesey’s seeds, fertilizers, gardening tools and more!
Disclaimer: Product availability and selection may vary by store. Please check your local store for availability.
Looking for more gardening tips and tricks? Check out our other blogs!
What Type of Garden Best Suits Your Needs
Starting Seeds Indoors Using Peat Pellets
Gardening Tips for Beginners
