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In Ontario, heavy flurries and plunging temperatures are standard during winter. Therefore, farm animals, especially cattle that overwinter outdoors, require increased nutrients to stay warm and resist illness. Here are a few tips for keeping your livestock in tip-top shape in freezing temperatures.

From dangerous weather to scant daylight, winter brings a host of complications to your farming operation. To keep your animals amply fed and your costs under control, you must develop strategies to minimize the inevitable inefficiencies brought on by ice, snow and darkness. Here are four ways to streamline your winter feeding routine despite the elements.

If you grow vegetables, you understand the challenges of keeping wildlife at bay, especially deer. Did you know that white-tailed deer can jump more than two metres (eight feet) high? Although you can try sprays, noise makers and motion sensor lights, installing a fence is the best way to prevent deer from munching on your vegetables. Here are a few materials suitable for creating an effective deer barrier.

Coyotes are a common predator in southern Ontario. They’ve adapted well to urban development and can live closely with humans. Coyotes benefit the ecosystem by controlling small rodent populations. However, they’re dangerous to livestock, attacking goats, sheep and calves. Here are some ways to protect your livestock from coyote attacks.

When selecting heavy-duty wire fencing, many people fail to consider the type of knot used in manufacturing. Fence knots dictate a fence’s strength and flexibility, so you must choose the type of knot that best suits the purpose of your fence. Here are some common fence knots and their best uses.

Managing livestock is a challenging job. A portable corral made of livestock panels can make handling livestock for vaccinations, tagging or loading onto trailers significantly easier. Here are five advantages of using a portable corral for a livestock farm.

Winter is a difficult time for chickens. In addition to the threat of hypothermia and frostbite, extreme cold can weaken chickens and make them more susceptible to other illnesses. Moreover, stressed birds lay fewer eggs. Winterizing your chicken coop with these helpful tips can help alleviate winter effects and keep your flock healthy and happy through the harshest days.

Moulting is a natural and necessary process whereby chickens lose their old feathers and regrow new ones. Moult usually occurs in the fall when the days get shorter. It lasts about eight weeks and can cause a decrease in egg production. Here are three things you can do to improve the moulting experience for your flock.

If you have cows, goats, pigs or other farm animals, you understand the importance of keeping them safe with durable fencing. However, fencing projects can be expensive. Here are a few ways to save a dollar on farm fencing without cutting corners.

Cattle panels are durable and designed for the rigours of farm life. Made of heavy-gauge, hot-dipped, galvanized steel wire, ranchers often use them for containing cattle and other livestock on farms and homesteads. However, they’re incredibly versatile and have many possible uses. Here are five creative ways to use cattle panels on your rural property.

Bison is the largest animal in North America. Fully grown adult males are three metres tall, 2.7 metres long, and weigh between 900 and 1,300 kilograms. As a semi-domesticated animal, bison still have wild tendencies. Therefore, bison ranches need high, sturdy fences. Here are four things to consider when building livestock fencing for bison.

When you keep livestock, you need to ensure your fields are accessible, but you also must prevent your animals from escaping. You may be considering installing gates or cattle guards for your entryways, but there are many factors to consider. To help you determine which access solution will work best for you, here’s a brief overview of the benefits and drawbacks of cattle guards and conventional gates.

A cattle squeeze chute is an indispensable piece of farm equipment for many livestock operations. It makes catching and restraining cattle easier, improves safety for livestock and handlers, and reduces stress for the animals. Here are five things to consider when choosing a new cattle squeeze.

Letting your chickens roam free makes for healthier birds, nutrient-dense eggs and potential savings on feed costs. The key to successful roaming is to keep your chickens safe and warm overnight when predators are most likely to do harm. Here are some ways to ensure your hens and roosters come home to roost. 

If you’re raising pigs, you need fencing that can resist their physical strength, cleverness, and curiosity. Pigs have sharp teeth and strong jaws that can bend weak fence sections until they give way. While pigs don’t typically burrow under the ground, their pacing and rooting can wear down the earth enough to make space for them to escape.

Goats can climb, jump and crawl underneath almost any type of livestock fencing. However, some types of fencing are more secure than others. Additionally, how you install your fencing can help prevent loose animals. Here are five things to consider about goat fencing.

If you’re looking for chicken coop flooring, you need a safe and serviceable solution. Your chickens need a material that’s easy on their toes and safe to peck around on. You require a material that’s easy to install, clean and maintain. Here are some reasons why rubber chicken coop flooring ticks all the boxes.

Transportation puts a tremendous amount of stress on your chickens. If done improperly, chickens can injure themselves or even die during the moving process. Taking steps to transport your chickens humanely will minimize stress, produce healthier chickens and a more profitable flock. Here are some tips for transporting chickens in Ontario.

Raising chickens in suburban and urban areas has become increasingly popular in recent years. Along with the requisite coop, run, feeder and water dispenser, you should also invest in a chicken crate. Crates can be used to transport your birds or isolate sick or hen-pecked poultry. Here are a few tips for choosing the right crate for your needs.

Although straw is the go-to bedding choice for many farmers, it’s important to have other options in mind if this material becomes difficult to source or drastically increases in price. Moreover, recent research suggests that excessive amounts of straw dust can be detrimental to animal health. Here are four alternative bedding options to consider for your livestock.

As a farmer, you’re probably well-aware of the amount of work that goes into preparing for the winter months. Among other things, you have to be sure that your fences are in prime condition and effectively winterized before the first big snow hits.

Ensuring that your horses have access to shelter is essential to their well-being. They need refuge from the sun, flies, wind and rain in order to feel their best. A good shelter should be well-ventilated and be easy to adapt to your changing needs.

Farmers often use fencing to protect their crops and contain their livestock. Wire fencing in particular is a popular choice in the agricultural industry because it’s affordable, customizable and easy to install.

The cost of feed is one of the greatest expenses associated with raising livestock. Unfortunately, a lot of it goes to waste due to poor storage methods and improper feeding practices.

If you keep livestock on your farm, proper fencing is a must. Some animals, however, are easier to fence in than others. Here’s an overview of the best types of fencing for a variety of common livestock.

Are you new to hobby farming? Do you want to expand your operation by adding another type of livestock? If so, here are five animals you may want to consider.