Chickens
Many kinds of flies, beetles and external parasites are a major concern facing poultry producers. Follow these steps to check for external pests.

1. Look for excess flies in and around the barn.
2. Check any cracks and crevasses for small poultry mites.
3. Check chickens for mite dirt – especially the vent.
4. Check bedding for beetles.

To control flies around your poultry house, repair any leaks on watering systems, make sure there is no standing water in or around the chicken building and yard, control the chickens' temperature to make sure they do not get too hot or have extra water intake, have proper ventilation for chickens and manure piles and use absorbent bedding when possible.

To prevent beetles, remove any broken eggs, take out any sick or dead chickens and keep the bedding dry. Most beetles can only be completely removed from the barn with dusts and sprays, so prevention is key.

Like beetles, getting rid of lice, mites and chiggers is tricky. Unfortunately, the only method proven to work so far is a chemical treatment. Natural products have not been as successful in removing these external parasites. If these pests are detected, it's important to remove them as soon as possible. They can cause small carcass size in meat chickens, low egg production and weight loss. These parasites can also be transferred to humans who are handling the chickens. 

Tip: When checking for mites, check several birds, because some birds are less susceptible than others in the flock. If you only check one, you might miss signs of these parasites.

Cattle
Just like chickens, cattle are also victims to pests. Some major pests that affect cattle are flies, ticks, mosquitoes and mites. You can help prevent any issues by following these steps.

1. Look for excess flies in and around the barn.
2. Check cattle for fly clusters around their eyes, nose and mouth.
3. Check cattle for hairless or flaking/irritated skin and cysts on the skin.
4. Check cattle for overall health or skin conditions, especially around the head, neck and back.

Cleaning the barn regularly can have a tremendous effect on keeping these pests in check and keeping your cattle healthy. Make sure to keep manure piles away from cattle, as well as keeping waterers and feed bunks free of debris.  Additionally, some farms choose to put down lime dust to reduce the number of pests in the barn.  Cattle can also have drenches applied directly to the skin, or they can be tagged; this is less invasive and can be changed regularly. Other options to reduce pests on animals are dustings or rub posts placed throughout pastures for cattle to rub against.

Sheep and goats
Sheep and goats face similar problems as cattle, but there are some additional issues found with these animals. In addition to flies, keep an eye out for the following pests.

1. Sheep ked – As its name suggests, a sheep ked is more popularly found on sheep, but it can also be found on goats.
2. Nose bot – If your animal is already experiencing nose problems, keep a careful watch out for nose bots. Nose bots cause irritation to the host animal, but there is currently no registered treatment available.
3. Wool maggot – Also known as the black blow fly, a wool maggot is the main reason you want to keep a sheep clean and shorn.
4. Spinose ear tick – The spinose ear tick is the main bother for sheep. Wool provides protection for the rest of the body, but exposed ears become victim to this tick.

Flies can be an issue across the farm. If you do experience an increase in the fly population on your farm, there are ways to control them. You can place fly traps with bait in overpopulated areas. Some people also use different sprays and fogs, but this is not recommended as the first solution to the problem. Instead, you can use fly predators like these from Spalding. They are a natural product and work very well in all areas of the farm. The company works with each farm to find the best fit for their pest control issues. 

You are never going to eliminate all flies around the barn, but keeping your barn clean and dry, as well as following the mentioned preventative measures, can keep the fly population in check. If you get ahead of fly season with fly predators, you can reduce the spread of disease, prevent irritation to your animals and protect yourself as you work in the barn. 

As you can see, there are a number of pests that can attack your animals, and the best way to protect them is prevention. If you take the steps toward prevention, you and your animals will be better off. 

Have you discovered any other techniques to help protect your farm against pests? Let us know in the comments below.

Are you looking to go organic with your farm? A growing number of people are making the switch to organic living for a variety of reasons. But what does going organic mean for farmers? Most consumers don’t know how hard it is for farmers to successfully switch to an organic operation. To do so they must change how they've been doing things for years, switch equipment, pay fees, and absorb the cost of a number of other expensive modifications. To complicate matters further, consumers want farms to go organic and make these changes – all without affecting the quality and price of the produced goods.

For farmers thinking of making the switch, I’d recommend a FAQ from the U.S. Department of Agriculture with answers to common questions about the National Organic Program. Also of value is the North East Organic Farming Association of New York’s guide to figuring out if you should be certified organic or not.

If you decide this is the right path for your farm, I encourage you to take full advantage of the organic label to help brand your products. But keep in mind that if going organic doesn't fit into your farm plans, simply educating your customers about organic farming is a great alternative.

Having raised animals for several years myself, I've dealt with the ever-changing organic market and have learned a few things. When most people hear that “organic is better” on the news or from friends, they believe it – no questions asked. But often this doesn't apply to small farmers that raise animals for their community. I raise animals without any additive growth hormones, using feeds that are as natural as possible. But I also provide vaccinations and antibiotics as needed to maintain good health and well-being – which isn't, by definition, organic. Many people fail to understand that these treatments prevent harmful diseases and are used to ensure that the animals stay healthy and productive. Knowing this, my customers frequently prefer my “natural” methods over other strictly organic practices.

In the end, going organic can be beneficial to many farmers. But I encourage you to weigh the pros and cons of doing so to decide if it’s right for your farm. You may also find that providing a little explanation to your methods, as I do, is equally important to your customers.

By Vicky Elwood
Over the past few months I've been on the lookout for small companies that provide great products and supplies. I'd like to recommend a few that can really help small farmers who are just starting out:

The Simple Seeder
The Simpler Seeder is a small company that's offering an amazing product. For the gardeners out there that are exhausted from digging in the ground and bending over to plant all your seeds, this is the product for you. Designed to help ease the job of measuring depth, as well as distance between seeds, this device can be used in no-till gardens.

The Flour Child
The Flour Child farm gets back to the roots of farming. They raise their own Non-GMO, naturally grown grain which they feed to their animals and sell to the public, providing an alternative to processed grains. Check out the beautiful does and bucks in their French alpine herd. The Flour Child also makes their own artisan goat milk soap.

Good Ole Days Farm / Ole Homestead Goat Milk Soaps & Such 
Good Ole Days Farm is a family owned and operated farm that raises animals believing that quality matters more than quantity. All of their animals are fed local Non-GMO, naturally grown grains. If you're looking for quality stock for starting or expanding your herd, check out their sales. They also provide all-natural products including goat milk lotions, bar soaps, lip balm, goat milk fudge, natural laundry soap, and bath salts with essential oils. Read what they have to say about the benefits of using goat milk.    

I hope you've enjoyed learning more about these local farms and business. This is how companies like Small Farm Solutions make connections benefiting the entire community.

We want to hear from you!
If you've got a favorite farm business you'd like to share with us, let us know in the comments below. Don't forget to include a link to the company's website!

By Vicky Hinschlager
Goats can be productive farm animals or enjoyable pets, but they’re not quite the outdoor garbage disposals that nursery rhymes would have you believe. While they do enjoy dining on leaves, small twigs, vines, and some shrubs, they’re not after your empty tin cans. Goats, after all, need a balanced diet just like every other animal. More likely than not they were just interested in the can’s tasty paper label. 

Have you ever thought about raising goats? One of the things that separates them from some other animals are their ruminant, four-part stomachs (similar to those in cows) used for slowly and repeatedly digesting their food. This process allows them to take the nutrients from plants that other animals will not (or cannot) consume and make a decent meal for themselves. They are also excellent at cleaning up brush where mowing is not possible. Did you know that they even like to eat poison ivy? While this won’t transfer to the milk in dairy goats, it may keep you from needing to reach for the chamomile lotion.

Goats can have many uses on a farm. While some people like to put goats with race horses to keep the horses calm, others raise goats for their meat (a very popular protein in some Indian and African cultures). Dairy goats also produce milk that can be used as-is or transformed into cheese or even soap. They’re also sometimes used to clean up pastures after other animals have left or to help keep unwanted plants in check. 

This time of year you also see plenty goats at county and state fairs. People bring them to be judged on all of their attributes and abilities. One of my favorites to watch at the fair is the cart class. This has nothing to do with production, but everything to do with training an animal. Handling a goat cart is not easy - it requires skill along with hours of practice, practice, practice! Growing up I took one of my goats every year to the cart class and it was always a great time. Using an old pony cart modified to fit a goat  we went on many rides all over our farm and back roads near our home.

How would you (or do you) use goats on your farm or in your backyard? Would you raise them for their meat or milk, or have them help out with tidying up the place? Let us know in the comments.

By Vicky Hinschlager
Protein is this summer’s buzz word. Companies selling everything from granola bars to chicken tenders to, yes, even dog food, are scrambling to let their customers know, in no uncertain terms, just how much “good for you” protein their products contain. For many people, the traditional source of protein is from some form of meat. Deciding what type and amount of protein to eat, as well as where to get it, is up for debate.

The big beef, pork and chicken associations may have their fancy commercials, but have you ever considered adding rabbit to your diet? I’m no nutritionist, but with rabbit being so lean and with so little cholesterol, I think it should certainly be an option. And contrary to popular belief, rabbit does not have a “wild” or gamey taste to it. Growing up we had wild rabbit meat on some occasions, but it wasn't until I started raising meat rabbits for 4-H projects that it became a more frequent dinner at our home.

If you’re looking for alternatives to store-bought proteins, I’d suggest raising your own rabbits. Meat from the grocery can come from just about anywhere and be raised under varying conditions. With your own colony of rabbits you know what they’re eating and how they've been treated. Rabbits don’t take up a lot of space and they don’t require much maintenance. Contact us for help getting started and for advice along the way.

If raising animals isn't your thing, you can also see if any local growers attend farmers markets near you. Your county extension office may also be able to help you locate a rabbit farmer in your area.

By Vicky Hinschlager
It’s springtime, and all farm stores and feed mills are buzzing with new arrivals of chicks. Are you thinking about getting chickens?

Remember that chickens, although small and cute, grow very fast and you need to accommodate them as they grow. If you have picked a laying breed, you can expect them to start laying eggs when they are six months old. If you have picked a meat variety, you can expect them to reach harvest size in six weeks.

You might ask yourself, "Why do I want chickens?" Chickens can be a fun and friendly pet if they are raised around people. They also offer great benefits like fresh eggs, chemical-free weed and bug control, and great tasting, all-natural meat. And while they are doing all of that, chickens produce excellent fertilizer! So you see, there are many benefits to raising chickens.

 Here are a few tips to be prepared for when you bring them home:

• Double-check to make sure that your city or town ordinances and your homeowner's association allows you to have chickens and if there are any further guidelines. After you have checked, can you proceed with filling up your coop.
• Find temporary housing. While the chickens are young they will need a small, warm area. This area should be kept at 90 degrees F directly under the heat light and a lower temperature for them to move to if they become too hot. If you provide the heat and the space the chicks can regulate where they want to be. Decrease the temperature five degrees per week. Keep in mind it is colder at night if they are kept in a non-heated building. Check the temperature often to make sure your chicks don’t get cold because this can lead to many health problems.
• Remember that food and water are very important to live animals. Make sure food and water containers are kept clean and well stocked at all times. I recommend a chick blend for starting them out on feed. I prefer the non-medicated feed (unless it is needed) to raise all-natural chickens. Fill a chick feeder with chick feed and place one end close to the light. Then angle it away so the chicks can eat and pick from the temperature at which they are most comfortable. Then add a chick waterer  to the area and add support and height under the waterer so chicks can still reach it but not get in it and make a mess of their water.
• Keep the bedding clean. I recommend using large shavings. These absorb water as well as waste and can be cleaned and changed often. Now is the best time to start making friends with your chickens so they get familiar with you.

If you are buying chicks from a hatchery, remember that they come as day-old chicks that have never seen water or food. Make sure to dip each bird’s beak in the water to teach it what water is. Let them get a few drinks before leaving them to do so on their own. If the feed is close by they will figure out how to eat. Most importantly, make sure they all know how to drink.

Check on your chicks often and keep them well stocked with feed, water, and clean bedding. You are on your way to happy and healthy chickens!

By Vicky Hinschlager
Are you interested in grazing your cattle year-round? Do you know if your pasture is large enough to do so? These, among others, are typical concerns shared by many small cattle operations.  With the rising price of feed, it’s important to consider all of your options.

One beneficial solution may be to use intensive grazing to lower feed costs. While available space may be a factor, it’s important to assess the quality and type of grasses growing in your pasture. I recommend analyzing the nutritional benefit of your most common type of grass and determining the best time of year for their consumption.

While lengthy, this helpful guide lists advantages and disadvantages for numerous types of grasses.

Common, beneficial pasture grasses in Ohio include:

• Tall Fescue
  - Excellent for fall and winter grazing
  - Drought tolerant and, once established, has root system that can withstand moderate flooding
• Alfalfa
  - A nutrient-rich plant that has protein, calcium,  and quality fibers
  - Very palatable to bovines
  - Can continuously grow for 5 years with little management
• Perennial Ryegrass
  - Recovers promptly after close grazing
  - Most commonly mixed with red clover to balance nutrients

Once you’ve determined which grasses are growing in your pasture, I recommend focusing on your land and number of animals. You can break your pasture into any number of shapes and sizes, but do keep in mind your water availability and the labor involved with moving cows from one area to another. I’d recommend starting with a smaller number of cattle and paddocks but then subdivide the larger areas with more fencing if you’re having success. Starting off small will give you a feel for how long it takes your cows to eat a particular space and how often you’ll need to rotate them.

When forming your plan, pay close attention to the needs of your cows as well as their condition. You’ll want to avoid letting your replacement heifers get over weight or your cows get into poor condition, both of which can hinder rebreeding.

You may also want to consider winter grazing which can save your several thousand dollars a year. A publication from the Iowa Beef Center shows that the cost of extended grazing in Ohio can significantly lower your costs, as follows:

Estimated winter feed cost/cow/day:

• Stockpiled grass: $0.55-$0.65
• Standing corn: $1.17
• Hay-based diet: $1.60

Total: $3.32-3.42

In the photos below, I’m taking inventory on a proposed pasture. The farmer wanted to establish low maintenance, year-round grazing. After looking at the quality and quantity of his plants, we were able to draw up a plan for him to make improvements this year to allow his cattle to begin grazing in the spring.

By Vicky Hinschlager
Raising backyard chickens is a growing trend and a great way to get connected back to your farm roots and produce some protein for your family in a small but satisfying way. Chickens are a small animal that, given the proper care, are simple and usually problem-free. But when problems arise, I recommend looking at all your options before calling the vet. Below are some health tips and a home remedy that I have used and passed along to other fellow chicken farmers.

Prevention is the key to healthy, happy chickens. Keeping your chickens protected from the elements is your first defense against bacteria, mites and other bugs. Make sure that your pen and run are large enough to give enough room for all your animals, inside and out. Also, a well-balanced, nutritious diet is a superior guard against infections and respiratory problems.

After evaluating several chicken coops, I have noticed that the most common mistake leading to disease and sickness is the height of the food and water. It is very important to set these so the chickens can comfortably reach them with their head, but high enough that they won’t contaminate it with their droppings or feet.  

One of the most common health problems among chickens is diarrhea, often caused by unclean living conditions and recognized by runny white or green droppings. Check your water, feeders, coop floor as well as roosting and nesting areas as these are key areas that you should clean on a regular basis. If you find that only one of your chickens is suffering from diarrhea, separate it immediately and provide it with a potassium permanganate solution. This drinkable, low cost treatment usually solves the issue and is easy to make at home. Using a plastic water container, simply dissolve two tablespoons of potassium permanganate in a quart of hot water, cool, and provide to the infected chicken.

When visiting farms for the first time, I look at all the animals and facilities and determine how to improve the farm to reach the individual farmer’s goals. Some of the things to look for in a routine health of a flock of chickens are:

• Chickens making noise, cackling while interactions are taking place
• Clear, bright eyes
• Resistance and signs of struggling when caught
• Pink tongues (Watch your fingers!)
• A yellow-ish skin color (can vary by breed)
• Normal-size, non-swollen feet
• Droppings (Usually the first sign of a sick chicken)

While handling chickens, I usually check their wings to see if it is time for a trim.  See the photos below that highlight the difference between long and trimmed flight feathers.

I’d also like to thanks to the welcoming farmer in west-central Ohio for a great farm visit.  I just love when I can go one on one with the farmers and see and talk about their individualized issues.