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Attracting Birds to Your Backyard

Saturday, August 17th, 2024

Summer is a season of warmth, vibrant colors, and the joyful chirps of wild birds. For many, there’s something magical about having a variety of feathered friends visit your backyard. Whether you’re an experienced bird enthusiast or just starting out, attracting wild birds during the summer months can turn your garden into a bustling hub of nature’s beauty. Here’s how you can transform your outdoor space into a bird paradise.

1. Provide Fresh Water Sources

Water is a magnet for birds, especially during the warm summer months. Installing a bird bath or a water fountain in your backyard can attract a wide variety of birds. Ensure the water is clean and shallow enough for the birds to bathe and drink comfortably. Adding a few stones or branches inside the bath can give smaller birds a place to perch. Remember to change the water regularly to keep it fresh and prevent mosquitoes.

2. Offer a Variety of Foods

Different birds have different dietary needs, so offering a variety of food can attract a broader range of species. Here are some options to consider:

Seed Feeders: Fill them with sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, or mixed seeds to attract finches, cardinals, and sparrows.
Suet Feeders: Great for attracting woodpeckers, nuthatches, and titmice. Suet is especially important during summer when birds need extra energy to feed their young.
Nectar Feeders: Perfect for attracting hummingbirds. You can make your own nectar by dissolving 1 part sugar in 4 parts water.
Fruit Feeders: Slices of oranges, apples, and grapes can attract orioles, tanagers, and even some woodpecker species.

Feeling overwhelmed by all the options? Stop by our store for an expert opinion for your goals. We’re happy to help you out on your bird-watching journey!

3. Create Natural Habitat Features

In addition to food and water, birds are attracted to backyards that mimic their natural habitat. Planting native trees, shrubs, and flowers not only provides shelter but also natural food sources like berries and insects. Consider leaving a section of your yard a little wild to provide nesting materials and spaces. A pile of leaves or a dead tree can offer invaluable nesting sites and foraging opportunities for birds.

4. Install Nesting Boxes

Putting up nesting boxes is a fantastic way to encourage birds to not only visit but also reside in your backyard. Different species prefer different types of boxes, so research which birds are common in your area and install appropriate nesting boxes for them. Position the boxes in quiet, sheltered areas to provide a safe environment for birds to raise their young.

5. Keep Cats Indoors

Cats are natural predators of birds and can significantly decrease the chances of birds visiting your backyard. Keeping cats indoors, or at least away from bird feeding areas, can help create a safer environment for birds to feed, nest, and bathe.

6. Be Patient and Consistent

One of the most important, but hardest steps! Attracting a variety of wild birds to your backyard can take time and patience. Consistently provide fresh food, water, and maintain the habitat features you’ve created. Over time, birds will start to visit your yard more frequently and in greater numbers.

Creating a bird-friendly backyard is a rewarding experience that brings the beauty of nature right to your doorstep. By offering fresh water, a variety of foods, and natural habitat features, you can enjoy the delightful sight and sounds of wild birds all summer long. Remember, every small step you take can have a big impact on the local bird population, turning your backyard into a thriving wildlife oasis.

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Deworming: Plan, Purge, Protect

Wednesday, July 17th, 2024

Internal parasites are a common problem in horses, particularly those managed on pasture. In addition to being a nuisance, internal parasites can cause serious health problems such as weight loss, poor performance, colic, and intestinal obstruction. Establishing and maintaining a routine deworming schedule for your horses is an essential step to keep them healthy. However, a good deworming program should be tailored to the individual horse based on factors such as age, pasture type, climate, and management style. Strategic deworming not only takes these factors into account, but also helps prevent the development of resistance and strives to keep the deworming medications you use on your farm effective.

Strategic Deworming for Horses

In the past, deworming horses often meant giving a broad spectrum deworming medication to every horse in the barn a few times each year. Nowadays, it is recommended that horse owners use a strategic deworming program that addresses the needs of each individual horse. A strategic deworming protocol involves three steps:

Plan

Planning is perhaps the most important step in any strategic deworming program. To start, your veterinarian can help you monitor fecal egg count for the horses on your farm. This easy testing will identify high, moderate, and low egg shedders, and this information will be used to determine the frequency of deworming needed for each horse. In addition to fecal egg counting, you will also need to understand the types of parasites that are prevalent in your region and their infection cycles. This will help you make informed decisions regarding your horse’s management and the types of deworming medications available to target these species.

Purge

Purging involves the use of a broad spectrum deworming medication such as ivermectin to interrupt the infection cycle and kill the parasites that are currently established in your horse. Purge dewormers like Farnam IverCare (ivermectin) Paste 1.87% target a wide variety of parasites including small and large strongyles, pinworms, ascarids, and bots in a single dose. This medication is easy to administer using the adjustable dosing syringe. The frequency of purge deworming should be customized to fit the needs of the individual horse. High egg shedders may need more frequent purges, while low egg shedders may only need a purge dewormer twice per year. Monitoring fecal egg counts before and after the use of purge dewormers can also be useful to identify resistant parasites and ensure the deworming medication you have chosen is effective.

Protect

Daily deworming medications such as Farnam PyrantelCare Daily Dewormer 2.11% (pyrantel tartrate) provides continuous protection against more than 31 of the most common species and stages of equine parasites. This product utilizes pyrantel tartrate, a safe and effective anthelmintic that targets large and small strongyles, pinworms, and ascarids. The palatable medicated pellets are simply added to the horse’s normal feed daily. Once ingested, the medication works in the horse’s digestive tract to control parasites and help to prevent parasites from migrating through your horse’s digestive system, which can cause serious damage. While daily dewormers are a great tool for controlling new parasite infections, they do not treat all stages of parasites, so it is important to use these products in conjunction with a routine purge deworming plan.

Summary

There are many different deworming products on the market today, and choosing the best options for your horse can seem daunting. While there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to equine deworming, a strategic deworming program is easy to implement and provides your horse with protection to meet their unique needs. With the right products and a customized approach, you can have peace of mind knowing that you are doing what you can to help your horse remain healthy and protected from parasites.

At J&N Feed and Seed, we can help you implement your own deworming program today. Visit our store for all your horse needs!

Original article from Farnam

Elizabeth Racine

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How to Switch to a Chicken Layer Feed

Saturday, July 6th, 2024

Switch laying hens to a complete chicken layer feed when they start laying eggs around 18 weeks of age. Choose a complete layer feed that includes all the essential nutrients laying hens need to lay strong and stay strong. Then make the transition gradually over one week.

When you turn 18, you can do a lot of new things. You can vote, buy fireworks and even try your luck with the lottery. The magical number means welcome to adulthood.

For backyard chickens, the number 18 means the same thing. Eighteen weeks is the age when laying hens are considered adults. Most excitingly, it’s the time when many chicken breeds will start laying eggs. At this key milestone, switch your hens to a complete layer feed.

This feed switch is an essential step down the road to farm fresh eggs because hens require different nutrients to produce eggs as compared to when they are growing.

To produce an egg each day, hens need high levels of calcium, vitamins and minerals. Hens transfer many of these nutrients directly into their eggs, so the nutrients in layer feed play an essential role in egg production.

Consider the following steps when transitioning to a complete chicken layer feed:

1. Choose a chicken layer feed that matches your goals.

The best chicken feed for layers depends on your flock goals. Select a complete layer feed before the transition begins. Ideally, make your layer feed decision by week 16, so you’re ready to make the transition at week 18.

First, look for a complete layer feed. This means the feed should be formulated to provide all the nutrients laying hens require without a need to supplement. Choose a layer feed with the Purina® Oyster Strong® System to help your hens lay strong and stay strong.

Which layer feed Oyster Strong® System is right for your flock?

Purina® Layena® pellets or crumbles Our most popular layer feeds
Purina® Layena® Omega-3 Includes added omega-3 fatty acids for your health
Purina® Layena® High Protein Includes 19% protein and black fly soldier fly larvae
Purina® Organic Layer Feed Certified USDA Organic

Each of these chicken layer feeds is made with simple, wholesome ingredients, 16 percent protein, at least 3.25 percent calcium as well as key vitamins and minerals. They also include our exclusive Oyster Strong® System to ensure your laying hens achieve a balanced supply of calcium through a blend of oyster shell, vitamin D and manganese. These three ingredients work together to help your chickens produce strong-shelled, delicious eggs each day.

These are just the essentials, though. Additional ingredients in Purina® complete layer feeds help bring hen health and egg quality to the next level.

A few next-level ingredients to look for include:

For rich, yellow yolks: Marigold extract
For strong shells and healthy hens: Oyster Strong® System
For immune and digestive health: Prebiotics and probiotics
For vibrant feathering: Essential amino acids such as lysine and methionine
For omega-rich eggs: Added omega-3 fatty acids

2. Transition to chicken layer feed over one week.

When birds reach 18 weeks old or when the first egg arrives, gradually switch your laying hens to a complete layer feed. It’s important to make the transition over time to prevent digestive upset.

On our farm in Missouri, we’ve found it’s best to make chicken feed transitions over time rather than all at once. We mix the starter-grower feed and layer feed evenly for four or five days. If birds are used to crumbles, start with a crumble layer feed. The same goes with pellets. The more similar the two chicken feeds are, the more smoothly the transition will go.

Many hens will eat the mixed feed without noticing a difference. When laying hens are eating both feeds, you can stop feeding the starter-grower feed and make the complete switch to all layer feed. It is important to give your birds enough time to adjust to the new diet. Most birds will adjust within a couple days but some can take a couple weeks to fully transition to their new diet.

3. Keep chicken feed consistent.

Once the transition to layer feed is complete, it’s best to maintain a routine.

We recommend providing free choice layer feed to hens and switching out the feed each morning and evening. Laying hens eat approximately 0.25 pounds of complete feed each day, equaling about one-half cup.

If birds are free-ranging, offer complete layer feed before they go out in the morning. This will help them consume the essential nutrients before filling up on less nutritionally balanced insects and plants.

It’s important for the complete feed to make up at least 90 percent of the hen’s diet. We feed complete layer feeds on our farm because they are formulated to provide all the nutrients hens require at the correct levels. It’s reassuring to know that each bite of feed is balanced to keep our hens healthy and producing quality eggs.

Ready to start the transition? Visit our store today to pick up a bag that meets your flock’s needs.

From Purina. Patrick Briggs.

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Introducing New Birds to the Flock

Friday, June 28th, 2024

Birds of a feather truly do stick together. That’s why it can be a challenging task to bring new birds into your established flock…. new flock members often get picked on and harassed by hens who don’t want to share their territory. For a seamless integration of new birds into your flock, there are a couple of tricks that work well. All you need is patience and some ninja-like moves.

To start with you want to make sure that your coop/run setup is large enough to accommodate the new birds that you are adding. Each adult bird will need 3-4 square feet of space. If bringing in birds from another flock, make sure they have been through a quarantine period of at least 30 days and are healthy.

You’ll want to introduce birds to each other gradually and let them interact without the opportunity of pecking or abuse. To do this, place your new birds inside the run or coop in an area where they can see and get to know each other but where they are still separated. A wire cage works well, but you can also put new birds into a dog crate or use chicken wire to fence off a portion of the area and make two separate spaces.

If introducing new chicks to your flock, you’ll want to make sure they are fully feathered and acclimated to the coop temperature. You want to keep new birds in their own area and let everyone get to know each other for at least two weeks. Patience is key here, so don’t rush the “getting to know you” phase.

The ninja moves come into play when it is time to introduce the new birds into the existing flock. Wait until night, when it’s dark and all birds are sleeping comfortably. Moving quickly and quietly, you want to take the new birds from their resting spot and put them on the roosts next to your other sleeping birds. When the birds wake up in the morning they are next to another hen that they are familiar with (because they’ve been in close proximity, although separate areas, for several weeks) and they are often tricked into thinking that they’ve always been together.

You’ll want to carefully monitor everyone during the next week while the pecking order is reorganized, but this approach should give you a fairly seamless merging of your flock.

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Ultimate Guide to Summer Gardening

Tuesday, June 18th, 2024

With the warmth of summer on the horizon, it’s time to prepare your garden for the vibrant season ahead. Transitioning your garden to handle the hot summer months is an essential task for every gardener. This shift not only involves adapting your garden to the changing weather but also ensuring that your plants thrive during the summer months. Here’s our comprehensive guide to help you seamlessly transition your garden and make the most out of the summer bloom.

1. Assessment and Tidying Up

The first step in transitioning your garden is to assess the current state of your plants and garden space. Spring, with its unpredictable weather, can leave some plants in need of care. Remove any dead or diseased foliage and weeds that have taken advantage of the spring growth spurt. This cleanup will reduce competition for nutrients and light, essential for your plants’ growth in summer.

2. Soil Care

Summer brings its own set of challenges for soil health, including potential dryness and nutrient depletion. It’s crucial to prepare your soil for these conditions. Begin by testing your soil to determine its pH and nutrient levels; this will guide you on what amendments your garden might need. Incorporating organic matter like compost can improve soil structure, moisture retention, and nutrient content, creating an ideal environment for plant roots during the hot months.

3. Watering Wisely

Watering practices need to be adjusted as temperatures rise. Early morning is the best time to water your garden, as it allows moisture to reach the roots before the heat of the day causes evaporation. Consider installing a drip irrigation system or soaker hoses for efficient watering. Mulching around plants can also help retain soil moisture and reduce water loss.

4. Choosing the Right Plants

Not all plants thrive in the heat of summer, so it’s important to select the right varieties for your garden. Opt for heat-tolerant and drought-resistant plants that can withstand the summer conditions. Some popular choices include zinnias, marigolds, petunias, and sunflowers for flowers, and tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and squash for vegetables. You can also always ask your local feed store (like us!) for suggestions.

5. Pest and Disease Management

Summer can bring about an increase in pests and diseases. Monitor your garden regularly for signs of trouble and take action promptly. Using organic pest control methods, such as introducing beneficial insects or applying neem oil, can effectively manage pests without harming your garden’s ecosystem.

6. Fertilizing for Summer Growth

Your plants will need extra nutrients to sustain growth throughout the summer. Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer to provide a steady supply of essential nutrients. Be cautious not to over-fertilize, as this can lead to lush foliage at the expense of flowers and fruits.

7. Pruning and Deadheading

Pruning and deadheading are essential practices to encourage healthy growth and blooming. Remove spent flowers to promote continuous blooming in flowering plants. Pruning can also help shape your plants and improve air circulation, reducing the risk of fungal diseases common in the humid summer months.

8. Providing Shade and Support

Some plants may need protection from the intense summer sun. Utilize shade cloths or plant taller crops strategically to provide natural shade to more sensitive plants. Additionally, ensure that tall plants and climbers have the necessary support, such as stakes or trellises, to withstand summer storms and winds.

9. Enjoying Your Garden

Amidst all the care and maintenance, don’t forget to take time to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Set up a comfortable seating area in your garden to relax and admire the beauty you’ve cultivated. Summer evenings in the garden can offer a delightful retreat from the day’s heat.

Transitioning your garden from spring to summer requires attention to detail and a bit of preparation, but the rewards are well worth the effort. By following these steps, you can ensure that your garden remains a vibrant, flourishing oasis throughout the summer months. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a beginner, these tips will help you create a summer garden that brings joy and color to your outdoor space.

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Feeding Deer in Late Spring and Summer

Friday, June 7th, 2024

The deer herd has survived the winter and early spring and is entering the most energy and nutrient demanding period of the year. Bucks have antlers developing, does are finishing gestation and starting to lactate, and fawns are growing at their peak rate.

Buck Nutrition

By late spring, most bucks are already growing antlers. Not only is antler growth energy demanding, but nutrient intake is critical as well. The growing antler is 80% protein and 20% ash (mineral)2 and the bucks require high-quality dietary protein to be able to reach their genetic potential for antler growth. This increased energy and nutrient demand will continue until the antlers harden in the fall.

Doe Nutrition

During late spring, the doe hopefully is pregnant with at least twin fawns. During the last third of gestation (pregnancy), approximately the last 67 days of a 200-day gestation period3 the fawns grow the most and the does’ energy and nutrient requirements increase as well.4 When fawns are born, the does energy and nutrient requirements further increase to support milk production. Milk production peaks 10-37 days after fawning5. During lactation, a doe with twin fawns will have a 54% and 36% increase in energy and protein requirements, respectively, compared to late gestation4. During early lactation, the fawns’ demand for milk puts a significant demand on the doe’s resources that often causes the doe to lose body condition, especially if the doe is already in poor condition1. To help maintain the doe’s body condition during lactation, supplemental feeding will offset changes in native forage availability. Fawn survival and growth is dependent on milk consumption. If the doe does not receive sufficient nutrition, the amount of milk produced may be inadequate for the fawns, resulting in reduced growth rates and reduced survival. Towards the end of summer, milk production begins to decrease with an associated decrease in energy and nutrient needs and the fawns are weaned and eating dry feed.

Fawn Nutrition

Fawns grow at the most rapid rate early in life. Fawns begin foraging when they are a few weeks old and become functional ruminants at about two months of age6 and therefore high-quality nutrition in the form of native forage or supplemental feed will help the fawns reach their full growth potential.

If areas are over-populated or if the summer is hot and dry, available native forage could become limiting. As discussed, the summer is a nutritional demanding period for bucks, does, and fawns. Ensuring adequate nutrition is critical to support antler development, lactation and growth. Supplemental feeding will help the animals meet their energy and nutrient requirements.

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Attracting Pollinators

Wednesday, June 5th, 2024

Buzzing bees, fluttering butterflies, and zipping hummingbirds are super-fun to watch as they flit and zoom from flower to flower, but these pollinators do more than just entertain. They actually help fuel life on this planet. The cucumbers in your salad, the berries in your yogurt, the apples in your pie—none of those would exist without the work of pollinators. These vital creatures will gladly make your yard their home when you roll out the welcome mat with a pollinator garden.

Check out our vital tips to make your home a pollinator hotspot.

1. Mix it up.

Different pollinators respond to different colors. Bees prefer blue, yellow, white and purple, while hummingbirds zoom to red-toned blooms first. Butterflies favor red and purple tones. Fill your yard with flowers in a rainbow of hues, and choose plants that bloom at different times so you’ll have blossoms throughout the growing season. Planting flowers with a variety of bloom shapes—some tall, some short, some wide, some narrow— will help draw a diverse group of pollinators, too.

2. Create drifts.

Many pollinators are nearsighted, so it’s easier for them to find flowers when there’s a large bunch. Arrange your plants in groups of 3 or 5 to mimic nature’s planting style and provide a can’t-miss target for pollinators.

3. Add water.

Like any living creature, pollinators need water to survive. Include a shallow bird bath, fountain, or pond to give pollinators a place to sip.

4. Provide shelter.

Pollinators need places to hide and raise their young, such as a hedge, a compost pile, a dead tree, unmowed grass, or unmulched soil. Be sure to provide just such a retreat near your pollinator garden.

5. Try trees.

Include trees and shrubs in your pollinator plans. A maple or crabapple tree in flower literally buzzes with activity during bloom time. Shrubs like viburnum, butterfly bush, spirea, and summersweet offer nectar-laden flowers that pollinators can’t resist.

6. Include natives.

Include at least a few native plants (that means native to the U.S.) in your pollinator garden, as they may be less prone to pests and disease than imported varieties. Some examples include tall liatris, purple coneflower, swamp milkweed, coreopsis, manzanita, and California poppy. Check with your local extension office to learn about native plants for your area, or visit the Xerces Society for regional native plant lists.

7. Let herbs bloom.

Once you’re done harvesting your favorite culinary herbs, allow them to burst into bloom. Pollinators will mob them! Bees are particularly fond of mint, oregano, basil, dill, fennel, and rosemary flowers, so why not indulge them? (Helpful hint: Get a jumpstart at planting time by planting young herbs from Bonnie Plants® instead of growing from seeds.)

8. Use pesticides wisely.

If you must use a pesticide in your pollinator garden, do so with care. Rely on predator insects like ladybugs and wasps if you can. If you must use a pesticide, use it when bees aren’t active (such as in early evening), don’t spray plants when they’re in bloom, and be sure to follow all of the directions on the product label.

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The Different Types of Mulch

Tuesday, April 16th, 2024

If you’re a gardening enthusiast, you are probably well-aware of the importance of mulching. Mulching is an essential practice that helps facilitate plant growth and improve the overall health of your garden. In simple terms, mulch is a protective layer applied over the soil to regulate moisture levels, maintain soil temperature, and suppress weed growth. However, not all mulch is created equal. Understanding the different types of mulch and their benefits is crucial to determine what’s best for your garden which we will help break down for you.

Organic Mulch:

Organic mulch is made up of natural materials that decompose over time. Common types of organic mulch include bark, leaves, straw, and grass clippings. Organic mulch is best suited for gardens as it enriches the soil, enhances drainage, and improves soil structure over time. Additionally, it helps regulate soil temperature and suppress weed growth, ensuring that your plants thrive. However, it’s important to note that organic mulch decomposes and needs to be replenished frequently to remain effective.

Inorganic Mulch:

Inorganic mulch, on the other hand, is made up of non-biodegradable materials such as stones, gravel, and plastic sheeting. These materials do not break down and remain in your garden for a more extended period. Inorganic mulch is beneficial if you’re looking for a low-maintenance option that requires less upkeep. It’s also useful for areas that experience high winds and rains, preventing soil erosion. However, it’s important to note that inorganic mulch doesn’t enrich the soil, and it can increase soil temperatures during the hot summer months.

Compost Mulch:

Compost mulch is a type of organic mulch made up of decomposed organic materials such as food waste, yard trimmings, and manure. It’s often referred to as “black gold” as it’s packed with nutrients, beneficial microbes, and minerals that boost soil fertility. Compost mulch helps improve soil quality, increases water retention, and provides your plants with essential nutrients. This makes it an excellent option for vegetable gardens, flower beds, and fruit-bearing trees.

Pine Needle Mulch:

Pine needle mulch is a popular choice for gardeners as it’s long-lasting, attractive, and low-maintenance. Pine needles are acidic and work well for plants that prefer acidic soil conditions such as blueberry bushes, roses, azaleas, and rhododendrons. Pine needles also help improve drainage, suppress weeds, and prevent soil erosion. However, it’s important to note that pine needles decompose slowly, so you won’t need to replenish them as frequently as other organic mulch.

Rubber Mulch:

Finally, rubber mulch is a type of inorganic mulch made from recycled rubber tires. It’s often used in playgrounds and landscapes as it’s durable, non-toxic, and requires little maintenance. Rubber mulch doesn’t decompose, and it doesn’t attract insects or rodents, making it a safer option for children and pets. However, it’s crucial to check if the rubber mulch you’re buying is safe and toxin-free. Some manufacturers use recycled tires that contain harmful chemicals and metals that can harm your plants and soil.

Mulching is an essential gardening practice that provides a range of benefits to your plants and soil. Understanding the different types of mulch and their advantages can help you choose the best option for your garden. Whether you prefer organic or inorganic mulch, there’s an option that will work for you!

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Traeger Beer Braised Chicken Tacos With Jalapeño Relish

Thursday, March 14th, 2024

We’re giving you something to taco bout with this chicken taco recipe. These wood-fired chicken thighs are braised in a chipotle beer sauce, loaded onto tortillas and served with a homemade jalapeño relish, queso and cilantro.

Ingredients:

Relish

3	jalapeños, seeded and diced
1/4 Cup	finely diced red onion
1	garlic clove, minced
2/3 Cup	white wine vinegar
1/3 Cup	water
1/2 Tablespoon	Sugar
1/2 Tablespoon	Salt

Pickled Cabbage

2 Cup	shredded red cabbage
1/2 Cup	white wine vinegar
2 Teaspoon	Salt
2 Teaspoon	Sugar

Main

2 Pound	boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1 Tablespoon	Olive oil
1 Teaspoon	Salt
1 Teaspoon	Black pepper
12 Small	flour tortillas
1/4 Cup	cotija cheese
1/4 Cup	chopped cilantro
	your favorite hot sauce

Braising Liquid

1 Tablespoon	butter
1/2	yellow onion, diced small
1	jalapeño, seeded and chopped
1	garlic clove, minced
1 Teaspoon	chili powder
1 Teaspoon	garlic powder
1	chipotle pepper in adobo sauce plus 4 tablespoons adobo sauce
2	limes, juiced
1 Can	(12 oz) Modelo beer

Steps:

For the jalapeño relish, combine all ingredients in a non-reactive dish and set aside.
To make the pickled cabbage, combine all ingredients in a non-reactive dish and set aside.
Transfer both the relish and pickled cabbage to the refrigerator and let sit a couple of hours to overnight.
Season chicken thighs generously with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Place the chicken thighs skin-side down and brown in batches. Remove from heat and set aside.
Add 1 tablespoon butter to the Dutch oven and set over medium-high heat. When butter is melted, add onion and jalapeño and sauté 3 to 5 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and sauté 30 seconds or until fragrant. Add chili and garlic powder, chipotle pepper, adobo sauce and lime juice. Add chicken thighs back to the Dutch oven and pour in beer.
When ready to cook, set Traeger to 350℉ and preheat, lid closed for 15 minutes. Place Dutch oven in the grill and braise for 30 minutes or until chicken is tender and falls apart. Remove chicken from braising liquid and shred.
To build the tacos, place shredded chicken on tortilla, top with jalapeño relish, pickled cabbage, cotija cheese, cilantro and finish with hot sauce. Enjoy!

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Traeger Braised Collard Greens and Bacon

Thursday, March 7th, 2024

An essential part of a traditional Southern feast, these collard greens are smoked before adding in Traegered bacon, ham, and all the fixings.