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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.   Clean the Coop Fall is the best time to clean the chicken coop thoroughly. Scrape and scrub the dropping boards, perches and roosts, replace all the bedding and install a layer of rubber sheets. Clean all the windows to maximize the amount of light that can enter the area. Also, clean the run and yard space to give the birds plenty of room to exercise. Repair and Seal the Coop Before the snow flies, inspect the coop and make any repairs, including fixing roof leaks, tightening perches and repairing ramps. Ensure the gates and doors all work correctly. Seal cracks and crevices around windows and siding to minimize drafts and prevent rodents from entering. Add Lighting Short winter days can reduce the laying rates of your hens, so add some lights in the coop to lengthen their perceived daylight hours. Put the lights on timers, as chickens lay best when they get 15 hours of sunlight daily. Add Insulation Add insulation to the roof and walls to better maintain indoor temperatures. Ensure the material you use is well out of reach of pecking beaks and scratching feet. Use Supplemental Heat Severe chills stress chickens, so install a supplemental heating system to keep the coop at a comfortable temperature and prevent water bowls from freezing. Heating lamps, plates and pads are effective and safe. Just ensure you use proper wiring and fuses. Cull the Flock Fall is an excellent time to cull unhealthy, unproductive or troublesome birds from the flock. The remaining birds will have more space and less stress. Fewer birds will also be easier and less expensive to maintain. Stock Up Ensure you have plenty of food and supplies to get you through possible winter storms that prevent you from leaving the farm and supply trucks from delivering. Stock up on food, bedding, fresh water, scratch feed and vitamin supplements.   Wholesale Farm Equipment in Southern Ontario At Ontario Wholesale Farm Direct, we offer a range of poultry accessories and equipment, such as poultry crates , water and feed troughs, coops and kennels. We also carry a wide selection of wholesale farm animal fencing. Contact us today to order your farm supplies, and we’ll deliver them to your farm in southern Ontario.

Protecting your garden bed is crucial for enjoying a thriving and bountiful harvest. From hungry pests to wandering pets, there are numerous reasons why you should safeguard your garden. Here’s how to protect your garden bed with fencing. Why you need to protect your garden Here are just a few reasons why you should install fencing around your garden beds: 1. Pest control. Garden pests, such as rabbits, deer, squirrels and birds, can wreak havoc on your plants. If you don’t secure your garden, these critters will happily feast on your vegetables and flowers. 2. Pet defence. If you have pets, you understand that their playful nature may lead them into your garden, causing accidental damage. Fencing can act as a deterrent, preventing your furry friends from trampling delicate plants. 3. Weed management. Fencing can also serve as a barrier to block weed seeds and invasive plants from encroaching on your garden bed, reducing the need for constant weeding. The best type of garden fencing Several types of wire mesh fencing can protect your garden. Hardware cloth fencing is a popular and effective choice, as it’s made from flexible 23-gauge wire and tightly woven with 3.5-centimetre holes. Moreover, mesh fencing still allows sunlight and rain to reach your plants. If deer and raccoons are your main concern, you may want to opt for a heavy-duty welded utility fence , with a high, robust design that’ll keep animals out. How to install garden fencing Before purchasing materials, measure the perimeter of your garden to determine how much material you need. Mark the area with stakes and strings to create a visual guide for installation. Then follow these tips: 1. Gather materials. Purchase the fencing material of your choice, along with posts and fasteners. You’ll need posts at regular intervals to support the structure. 2. Clear the area. Remove any rocks, debris or vegetation from the designated garden bed area. Level the ground if necessary. 3. Install the posts. Dig holes for the fence posts and insert them securely into the ground. Ensure the posts are level and at the appropriate height to accommodate your fencing material. 4. Attach the fencing. Unroll the mesh or wooden panels and attach them to the posts using appropriate fasteners or ties. 5. Secure the fence. Double-check that the fencing is firmly attached to the posts and make any necessary adjustments. W holesale farm fencing supplies and equipment in southern Ontario At Ontario Wholesale Farm Direct, we offer an unparalleled selection of agricultural equipment and farm fencing for livestock and gardens, including wire fencing , hardware cloth fencing and livestock panels . To learn more about our farm supplies and shipping services in southern Ontario, contact us today .

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.   Install Fencing Coyotes are extremely intelligent and almost impossible to trap. Therefore, the best coyote deterrent is a solid fence around your farm. Coyotes can leap as high as 1.5 metres, so you’ll need a fence between 1.8 and two metres high. Additionally, coyotes can dig and slip through narrow openings at the bottom of your fence, so ensure it’s tight to the ground. The best material is woven wire fencing , as coyotes can easily slip through tensile wire fencing. Welded wire mesh or woven no-climb fences are excellent options. Moreover, ensure your farm gate is made with a durable mesh, is high enough and has no gaps below or beside it. Inspect and Maintain Fencing Weather, foliage and stress from animals and wildlife can degrade even the most durable fence over time. It’s essential to regularly inspect your perimeter to look for narrow gaps or tears in the wire mesh that coyotes can slip through. Repair these gaps as soon as possible.   Other Deterrents Besides fencing, a few other options can help protect your livestock from coyotes. Scarecrows . Coyotes are non-confrontational. They may live near humans but are also wary of human interaction. A scarecrow can keep the coyotes at bay for a while, but it won’t be long before these intelligent creatures figure out it’s not a threat. Fladry . Attaching red flags on your fencing can make coyotes skittish enough that they won’t try to enter your pastures. However, like a scarecrow, it’s only a temporary solution. Dogs . A large dog is an effective means of deterring coyotes. Other protective animals include llamas and donkeys. Protect newborns . Coyotes take advantage of babies rather than adult livestock. Keep expectant mothers and newborn animals in a barn or other enclosure. Also, ensure your household garbage and compost are stored in sealed containers away from your animals. Coyotes are opportunistic omnivores and will eat anything they find.   Farm Animal Fencing in Southern Ontario At Ontario Wholesale Farm Direct, we offer a wide range of farming equipment and farm fence solutions to protect your livestock, whether you have a hobby farm or a large-scale operation. As a wholesaler, we have some of the best prices in southern Ontario. Shop online , and we’ll deliver your fencing materials to your door. Contact us today to learn more about our products.

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.   Storage shelter. Using cattle panels, you can create a low-cost cover for farm equipment, small implements, and more. All you need are some T-posts, a few cattle panels and a heavy-duty tarp. You can customize the size of the shelter by using as many panels and tarps as necessary. Greenhouse. Have you always wanted a hoop house or greenhouse but don’t want to spend a fortune? Cattle panels are a great solution. They’re flexible, and you can shape them into an A-frame or arched structure. Simply attach a few cattle panels to a framed base and cover them with durable greenhouse plastic to create a warm space for flowers and seedlings. Garden supports. If you grow vegetables like pole beans, squash and cucumbers in your garden, you can easily create a vertical trellis or arch using cattle panels. You can also cut the panels down and fashion them into tomato cages. Chicken tractor . You can use cattle panels to build a portable chicken tractor to move around your property. With just four panels, you can create a sizable space. Using panels is a practical and inexpensive way to let your chickens graze while being protected from predators. Dog run . Why not use cattle panels to make an attractive and affordable space for your dog to run and play? One of the most significant benefits is the panels can easily be disassembled and moved to a different location. A 16-foot by 50-inch cattle panel at Wholesale Farm Direct only weighs 35 pounds, making them easy for one person to handle. If you come across a few extra cattle panels laying around your homestead, try repurposing them to create functional new items.   Cattle Panel Products in Southern Ontario Whether you have a large operation or a small hobby farm with a few animals, Ontario Wholesale Farm Direct has everything you need. We carry a variety of farming equipment, including livestock fencing , panels , gates and feeders . It’s easy to shop for what you need on our online store . If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us . We serve customers throughout Southern Ontario.

Commercial goat farming is gaining momentum in southern Ontario as more consumers look for cow milk alternatives. However, raising these curious, playful and highly social animals presents unique challenges to livestock farmers. Here are a few steps you can take to prevent your inquisitive goats from getting stuck in farm fences.     Install proper fencing First, install woven wire no-climb fencing around your goat enclosure. Woven wire fencing is strong enough to withstand the force of a goat ramming it, and the knotted construction will keep it intact for years. Choose a fence with a maximum hole size of 10 by 10 centimetres, small enough so that a goat can’t get its head or horns caught in the wires. By the way, goats can jump extremely high, so ensure your fence is at least 1.2 metres tall. Click here for more goat fence tips . Mow around your fencing Goats are voracious eaters and are attracted to anything they can munch on, including grass and weeds. If a goat sees something to eat, it’ll do almost anything to get at it, including jamming its head through a fence. Mowing and trimming around your fence will eliminate this temptation. Modify their behaviour Young goats aren’t used to having horns and will try to fit their heads through any tight spot. Attaching a piece of PVC pipe to the animal’s horns using duct tape will prevent the goat from sticking its head into small spaces. However, this isn’t a permanent solution, but it can teach your goat to avoid small spaces. If your goats don’t learn, you may need to invest in farm fencing with smaller holes.   What to Do If a Goat Gets Stuck No matter how many prevention steps you take, you’ll undoubtedly encounter a goat with its head or horns stuck in a fence. Here’s what to do if that happens. Approach the goat slowly and quietly. Don’t scare it. Lift the goat by its hind legs, like a wheelbarrow. Tilt the goat forward to encourage it to lower its head. Gently pull back, and the goat’s head should slip through. If the above steps don’t work, you may need to cut the fence wire to allow the goat to pass through.   Farm Animal Fencing Supplies in Southern Ontario At Ontario Wholesale Farm Direct, we specialize in farm wire fencing for clients across southern Ontario, including small hobby farms and large commercial operations. We also carry farm gates and a wide range of livestock feeders at wholesale prices. Contact us today to learn more about our farm fencing supplies and our delivery service.

Raising livestock comes with numerous challenges. If you're a livestock farmer, one of the most significant concerns you have to deal with is how to manage parasites. If left unchecked, they can affect the health and productivity of your entire herd. Fortunately, you have several effective strategies and preventative practices at your disposal to keep your animals healthy and happy. Here's a helpful guide to best practices for controlling livestock parasites. 1. Feed Your Herd a Balanced Diet One of the easiest and most effective ways to manage parasites is to ensure that your herd is receiving a balanced diet that meets all their nutritional requirements. This not only bolsters their immune system but also reduces the impact of internal and external parasites. For instance, incorporating high-tannin forages like birdsfoot trefoil, chicory, and Sericea lespedeza into their diet has been proven to help minimize the effects of parasites. 2. Avoid Overcrowding Your Herd Overcrowding your herd can have detrimental consequences. When animals are in close proximity to each other, it increases the likelihood of external parasites spreading throughout the herd. Maintaining an optimal livestock-to-acre ratio is crucial to preventing overgrazing and ensuring that pastures aren’t contaminated with parasite eggs and larvae. This not only safeguards the health of your herd but also promotes the sustainability of your grazing areas. 3. Keep Grazing and Bedding Areas Clean Parasites are primarily transferred through manure, making regular cleanup and disposal an absolute necessity. By promptly removing and disposing of manure, you break the parasite lifecycle and prevent the buildup of infectious agents in your pastures and living areas. Additionally, it’s vital to keep hay and grain off the ground and in feeders. This practice minimizes the risk of contamination and ensures your animals are receiving clean, uncontaminated feed. Cleanliness not only promotes the health and well-being of your herd but also maintains a sanitary environment that can be a key factor in disease prevention. 4. Practice Good Pasture Management Techniques Pasture rotation is a great way to minimize the likelihood of parasite infection. Infective larvae are usually found on the lower part of the plant, close to the ground. Therefore, by moving your animals to a new pasture whenever the forage is no lower than eight centimetres, you can reduce the risk that your animals will contract parasites. If you plan to graze pastures multiple times in a season, it’s important to consider the order in which you graze. Start with young animals that have recently been weaned, then move on to lactating or pregnant animals and finally graze with the older, more immune animals last. It’s also beneficial to let pastures rest for extended periods, which allows earthworms, dung beetles and other organisms to destroy parasite eggs and larvae in the environment. 5. Safe Parasite Treatments If your cattle contract parasites, it’s essential to treat them before they can cause a variety of health problems, including reduced feed intake, poor performance and even death. Luckily, there are a variety of safe and effective options available. Whether you prefer oral drenches, pour-ons or injectables, you can choose the method that works best for your farm and your animals. Finally, beyond chemical intervention, managing parasites in your livestock requires a multi-faceted approach that includes a balanced diet, proper pasture management and regular cleanup. By implementing best practices, you can ensure the health and productivity of your animals while minimizing the need for chemical intervention. 6. Safeguard Your Cattle Against Building up Antiparasitic Resistance Overuse of dewormers can lead to parasites becoming resistant to these treatments over time, which can make it even more challenging to manage infestations in the future. To help prevent antiparasitic resistance, use the proper dosage of dewormers and rotate among various types of antiparasitic treatments. Additionally, implementing refugia practices can be an effective tool for minimizing resistance. By leaving some cattle untreated, you provide a refuge animal for the worms, which can reduce the selection pressure on particular dewormers. Livestock Feeders and Farming Equipment in Southern Ontario For livestock feeders to keep hay off the ground or heavy duty cattle fencing to facilitate pasture management, Ontario Wholesale Farm Direct has you covered. We source items directly from the factory, so we can offer some of the best prices in southern Ontario. You can buy our farming equipment online and have us deliver directly to your hobby farm or large commercial agriculture operation. We’re happy to answer any of your questions. Get in touch with us today.

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.   They improve efficiency . With a portable corral, you can take the corral from one pasture to another rather than knocking it down and rebuilding it every time you move the cattle. A portable corral is an excellent choice for livestock operations that use several large pastures where rounding up and transporting cattle would take a lot of time and effort. Just load up a trailer with an adequate number of panels and travel to the animals. They’re customizable . Portable corrals can be adapted to serve the task at hand. You can create any design, including circles, alleys, rectangles and multiple-pen enclosures. In addition to grazing pens, you can add loading chutes, squeezes and headgates when needed. They’re easy to set up . Livestock panels are made of lightweight metal and are easy to transport and install. A typical livestock panel weighs between 23 and 30 kilograms. They fasten together quickly to construct a reliable enclosure. They lower stress levels . Using livestock panels to create a “Bud Box” is an effective method for moving cattle into a chute or onto a trailer. A Bud Box — designed by premier stock handler Bud Williams — is an alley used to manage cattle movement. It naturally guides them where you want them to go without the need for pushing or yelling. You can easily build a Bud Box on any sized pasture with panels and a series of livestock gates . They make vaccinations more effective . Stressed animals have compromised immune systems and don’t respond well to vaccinations. Vaccines are of little use to cattle stressed out after being transported from the pasture to the corral. Keeping cattle calm and stress-free by using a portable corral ensures vaccinations are more effective, helping your animals and your profit margins.   Livestock Panels in Southern Ontario At Ontario Wholesale Farm Direct, we’re your trusted source for durable and versatile welded mesh panels and livestock panels. As a cattle panel wholesaler, we have some of the best prices in southern Ontario. Contact us today to order your portable corral or shop online, and we’ll deliver your materials to your door in just a few days.

Building a livestock fence takes careful planning. Without proper preparation, you’re apt to make costly mistakes that could force you to rip your entire fence down. You should do these four things before you start digging to ensure your livestock farm fencing is installed correctly the first time. 1. Determine the type of fence you need . There are many types of livestock fencing , some suited for large animals like cattle and horses, and others made to contain smaller animals like goats and chickens. Find a fence with a suitable gauge, like heavy-duty wire fencing, and determine the best distance between the posts. Click here to learn more about choosing the best livestock fencing . Furthermore, consider your long-term future. If you have cattle right now and plan to raise goats in a couple of years, ensure your fencing will be able to contain both animals so you won’t have to replace the entire fence. 2. Locate all underground utilities . The saying, “call before you dig,” also applies to farm fencing. Before digging holes for your fence posts, locate the natural gas, water and electricity lines. Hitting a line with an industrial auger isn’t only dangerous; it can result in a fine and knock out electricity or water service to the entire area. 3. Mark property lines and easements . Even if you think you know where your property line is, double-check your property’s survey or deed. If you don’t have one, check your municipal office, or you may have to hire a surveyor. The effort and expense are worth it. If you build a fence on your neighbour’s property, they have every right to demand you rip it down. Conversely, you don’t want your fence to cut off your land. 4. Measure and mark the fence line . Start by drawing your fence plan on paper. Consider where you want to run water lines, and identify the locations for gates and feeders. Then, mark the fence line on the ground with a string. With this outline in place, you can determine how much fencing and materials you need to order from a farm fencing dealer.   Wholesale Farm Fencing Supplies in Ontario At Ontario Wholesale Farm Direct, we carry a wide range of cattle fencing, livestock panels and gates . We also have high-quality farming equipment like feeders and cattle-handling products at some of the best prices in southern Ontario. Contact us today to speak with one of our knowledgeable staff about your farming needs.

When it comes to managing livestock on your farm, selecting the right gate is crucial. Farm gates ensure your animals stay contained and keep predators out. Therefore, you may be wondering what’s better: metal or wood gates? Here’s an overview of each to help you make the right decision. Wood gates Wood gates are generally cheaper than metal gates, making them a popular choice for farmers on a budget or those with sprawling properties that need to cordon off large areas. Plus, wood gates with large panels offer increased privacy and lend a rustic and traditional charm to your homestead. However, wood gates require regular upkeep, including painting, staining and sealing to protect them from weathering, rot and insect damage. Wood gates are also prone to warping, sagging and breaking under heavy use or extreme weather conditions. Metal gates Metal gates are extremely durable and can withstand heavy use and harsh weather conditions. They also don’t bend or break if large animals run into or lean against them. Although metal gates tend to be more expensive than their wooden counterparts, their durability often results in long-term cost savings. You can also easily add locks and bolts to metal gates for added security. Metal gates come in various sizes and designs to suit specific livestock requirements. For example, at Ontario Wholesale Farm Direct, we carry pipe gates , panel gates , “walk-through” gates and mesh gates . Whether you need to contain horses, cows, pigs, sheep or goats, we have a gate to meet your needs. All our galvanized farm gates are available in a selection of seven different lengths from four to 16 feet. In short, the decision to erect a metal or wood gate for your farm depends on your specific needs, budget and long-term goals. For example, if you’re looking to keep your pasture secure, a metal gate would be a wise investment. However, if you simply want to cordon off your homestead garden, a wood gate would probably suffice. Farm gates and wholesale farm equipment for sale in southern Ontario If you need durable farm gates and animal fencing to keep your livestock safe and contained, Ontario Wholesale Farm Direct is the place to go. We source items directly from the factory, enabling us to offer some of the best prices in southern Ontario. You can buy our farming equipment online and have it delivered directly to your hobby farm or large commercial operation. Get in touch with us today, and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you have.

Gates are just as important as fencing for keeping livestock contained. Therefore, it’s crucial to choose the right type for your farming needs. Here’s a look at four different types of farm gates . 1. Pipe gates As the name suggests, pipe gates are made of metal tubing and designed to be lightweight, durable and easy to handle. Despite being hollow, these gates are made to withstand heavy use and can put up with large livestock pushing up against them. Ontario Wholesale Farm Direct carries pipe gates constructed with medium-duty 17-gauge steel, complete with a black powder-coat finish for added strength and durability. 2. Panel gates Panel gates, or livestock panels, are typically constructed of five to seven horizontal metal bars joined together by two or three vertical bars. They come in varying degrees of security. For example, medium-duty panels are suitable for large animals like cows or horses, and light-duty panels can be used for smaller animals like sheep or goats. Panel gates can connect to other panels to create a customized enclosure for temporary or semi-permanent fencing setups. 3. Bow gates Bow gates, or “walk-through” gates , are pre-installed on rectangular metal frames. They’re made of tubular steel and are typically used around pens, arenas and working corrals. Because bow gates don’t need to be secured to the ground, they’re easy to move from one location to another. 4. Mesh gates Mesh gates , also known as wire gates, are made of wire mesh attached to a metal frame. The mesh provides excellent visibility and ventilation while preventing smaller animals, like sheep and goats, from putting their heads through and getting stuck. At Ontario Wholesale Farm Direct, our farm gates come in a variety of sizes to fit your specific needs. All our galvanized farm gates are available in a selection of seven different lengths from four to 16 feet. If you’re unsure, you can ask the team at Ontario Wholesale Farm Direct to help you choose the right type of gate for your operation. Farm gates and livestock panels in southern Ontario If you’re looking for high-quality farm gates for sale in southern Ontario, Ontario Wholesale Farm Direct is the place to go. Our team can help you choose a gate in the right height, material and style to ensure your livestock are safe and secure. We would be happy to answer any questions you might have about our selection of wholesale farm equipment. Contact us today in southern Ontario.

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.   1. Head capacity Head capacity is a critical element of any cattle squeeze chute. It’s rare for a chute to have a headgate that’s large enough for bulls but small enough for young calves. Therefore, you must determine the size of the animals that’ll mainly be going through the chute. Look for a self-catch headgate to prevent animals from breaking out. Additionally, make sure the headgate and squeeze mechanism are easy to operate, adjust and release. 2. Accessibility Ensure the chute gives you access where you need it. For instance, feedlots require a snug, tight-fitting head restraint to access the animals’ necks for injections. Purebred breeders need access to the underside of animals for semen testing. Moreover, some surgical procedures, such as C-sections, require access through the sidebars. Fortunately, some models feature removable sides. Furthermore, make sure your cattle squeeze chute has a side release door, so downed animals can quickly be set free. 3. Palpation gates Some squeeze chutes come with palpation gates. Many farmers appreciate palpation gates because they allow easy access to the animal’s rear for pregnancy checking, artificial insemination, and castration. 4. Flooring Make sure the chute’s floor is made of high-quality steel to prevent it from deteriorating. Additionally, the floor bars must be securely anchored to prevent animals from slipping while inside. 5. Cost Manual cattle squeeze chutes are much cheaper than hydraulic-powered ones. However, manual chutes offer the least adjustability and have the fewest safety features. If you have a small herd or a hobby farm, a manual chute may suit your needs. Conversely, more extensive operations with hundreds of cattle would benefit from a more expensive hydraulic model. Lastly, some cattle squeeze chutes have additional features, such as platform or overhead weighing scales.   Livestock Equipment in London, Peterborough, and Barrie At Ontario Wholesale Farm Direct, we provide livestock farmers with cattle handling equipment , feeders , and livestock panels . As a wholesaler, our prices are some of the lowest in Southern Ontario. We also deliver products right to your farm gate. Contact us today to learn more about we can help improve your livestock operation.

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.   Common Problems When Transporting Chickens Avoid these situations when transporting your chickens. Overheating . Chickens are vulnerable to heat and can die if there’s inadequate ventilation. Escaping . Chickens getting free from their crates puts them in danger in numerous ways. Overcrowding . Stuffing too many chickens into a crate can cause them to suffocate or injure each other. Cold or freezing weather . Chickens can get frostbite or hypothermia if transported in cold or wet conditions. Chicken Transportation Solutions To keep your chickens calm and safe while moving them, the Ontario government recommends the following: Never load birds and allow them to sit overnight. Depriving them of water, food and other normal functions can stress them out. Protect your birds from extreme weather by transporting them in the early morning during the hot summer months and avoid transporting them in freezing temperatures. Ensure your chickens are dry before transport. Wet feathers make them more vulnerable to extreme weather. Use chicken crates and containers designed for poultry transport. The compartments should limit their movement, but every bird should be able to rest without touching another bird. The number of birds per crate depends on the weather, the size of the birds and the species. Never put two roosters in one crate, even if they get along on the farm. When catching chickens, avoid loud noises, and don’t yell or run at the birds. Handle laying hens with extra caution as their bones are fragile. Hold chickens upright as they can suffocate if held upside down. Try to round up and transport your birds under low light, as darkness puts chickens at ease. Clean and disinfect your chicken crates before and after every use. Never transport birds inside the trunk of a car, in a bag, a closed trailer without ventilation, a wooden crate that can’t be disinfected, or loose in a trailer. Never mix birds of different sizes or species. For example, never place chickens in a crate with ducks or geese. Lastly, it’s illegal to transport birds that are sick or injured. Farm Supplies and Poultry Accessories in Southern Ontario At Ontario Wholesale Farm Direct, we offer a range of poultry accessories that make handling chickens easier, such as heavy-duty poultry crates. Our inventory of farming equipment also includes carefully crafted products such as water and feed tubs , coops and kennels. Contact us to place an order and schedule a delivery. We serve customers throughout Southern Ontario.