Archive for the ‘articles’ Category

Snake Bite Cautions for Horse Owners

Monday, April 4th, 2016

Snake Bite Cautions for Horse Owners

Spring and summer months bring an increase in horse activities and the end of hibernation for rattlesnakes. As they begin to emerge and leave their dens, until their return during cooler fall weather, this movement and activity increases the incidence of horses bitten by rattlesnakes. Of the 27 species of rattlesnakes in the United States, 11 are found in Texas. The Western Diamondback Rattlesnake and the Prairie Rattlesnake are the most common rattlesnakes found in the western part of Texas where veterinarians treat an average of about 6 – 10 cases per year. Over 90% of these bites occur on the face, primarily the nose, in pastures or fields while the horse is grazing. They can also receive some nose bites when the horse gets curious to the sound, site and smell of the rattlesnake. The second most common bite site occurs on the lower limbs. Rarely, horses may be bitten on the chest, abdomen, upper legs or other locations while the horse is lying down.

Rattlesnake venom contains many myotoxins and hemotoxins.  Localized signs of rattlesnake bites include significant to severe swelling, pain, and bleeding at the bite site, with significant tissue damage. Horses become lethargic and usually have difficulty breathing. Occasionally, systemic signs such as dehydration, fever and irregularities in heart rate and rhythm can be present. Shock rarely occurs. Severity of reactions may depend on the amount and concentration of the venom injected by the snake. Size, species, health, age of snake and condition of its fangs also can affect the outcome of the bite.

When a horse receives a rattlesnake bite, keeping the horse from moving or becoming excited prevents further absorption and circulation of the venom. This also limits further increases in respiratory rate through a horse’s restricted air passages. Most facial bites usually resolve with early treatment but an average of 20% of leg bites can result in chronic problems such as lameness or infection.

Rare long term complications include cardiac disease. Medical treatment is aimed at ensuring that the horse has adequate breathing capabilities. Cut off garden hoses or syringe cases can be placed a distance up the horse’s nostrils to open up the airways. Although this technique can be a useful tool, some horses won’t tolerate it because their nose is too painful and/or they are frightened by the procedure. Medications used by veterinarians include steroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to decrease swelling around the bite site. Tetanus prophylaxis also is indicated. Antibiotics are used as well as local wound therapy on leg bites. Wetting hay and feed for horses with facial bites can help them eat.

By Ginger Elliot, DVM, Guthrie, Texas

Start Your Garden At J&N

Thursday, March 31st, 2016

garden We love spring time at J&N Feed and Seed because it means time for garden planting, fertilizing, and preparing for the bloom of wonderful veggies, flowers and much more.

We have just received a new batch of veggies and various garden seeds! Stop by our greenhouse and let’s get this garden started! Now on hand, we have:

  1. A great selection of  vegetables, flowers and herb plants
  2. Bulk and Small Package Seeds
  3. Organic Seeds……

Stock up on potting soil and mulch too!

Tips on Planting:

Having your very own veggie/herb garden isn’t as complicated as you might think, although it does require dedication. The most important part is planning and making sure you have all of the right materials and information. When setting up your space, it’s important to remember a few key items:

  • Do you have enough sun exposure? Vegetables love the sun. They need at least 6 hours of full sun every day, and preferably 8.
  • Know your soil. Most soil can be enriched with compost and be fine for planting, but some soil needs more help. Check with us at J&N Feed and Seed.  We carry a variety of different types of soils and we can help you find the best match for your growing needs.
  • Placement is everything. Avoid planting too near a tree, which will steal nutrients and shade the garden. In addition, a garden too close to the house will help to discourage wild animals from nibbling away your potential harvest.
  • Decide between tilling and a raised bed. If you have poor soil or a bad back, a raised bed built with non-pressure-treated wood offers many benefits. We carry Yellawood Landscape Timbers, perfect for a raised bed.
  • Vegetables and fruits need lots of water, at least 1 inch of water a week. Make sure you have a good irrigation or watering system. IF you have a spot that is in full sun, consider an Olla irrigation pot, sold right here at J&N.

For more information on gardening, come visit us at J&N Feed and Seed.

Spectra Canine Vaccines At J&N

Thursday, March 31st, 2016

Spectra Canine Vaccines Spectra Canine Vaccines are available at J&N Feed and Seed. We offer a complete line of multi-protection, combination vaccines that provide protection for the major health risks of dogs, in a convenient, single dose packet.  Pet owners, breeders and shelters can now easily do their own shots for giant savings.

Canine Spectra 10 – Spectra 10 vaccine is a combination of immunogenic, attenuated strains of Canine Distemper, Canine Adenovirus Type 2 (CAV-2), Canine Parainfluenza, and Canine Parvovirus Type 2b, propagated in cell line tissue cultures.

Canine Spectra 9 – Canine Spectra 9 Single syringe is the annual booster vaccine that offers better protection for less! Spectra 9 is a convenient, ready-to-use syringe that offers 9-way protection against canine distemper, hepatitis, adenovirus, parvovirus, parainfluenza, and 4 kinds of Leptospira.

Canine Spectra 6 – Canine Spectra 6 is a ready-to-use syringe that prevents canine distemper, hepatitis, adenovirus, parvovirus, parainfluenza, and corona virus.

Canine Spectra 5 – Canine Spectra 5 is a convenient, ready-to-use syringe that provides 5-way protection against canine distemper, hepatitis, adenovirus, parvovirus, and parainfluenza.

Stop by J&N Feed and Seed for all your pet feeds and supplies.

Baby Chicks & Guineas Are Here

Friday, March 11th, 2016

baby chicksBaby chicks & guineas are here at J&N Feed and Seed.

Baby Chicks and Guineas are available at J&N Feed & Seed. The baby chicks are mixed breed, pullets and sell for $2.50 each.

While you’re picking out your chicks, J&N Feed and Seed has everything you need to raise a happy flock! See us for all your poultry supplies: feed, heaters, feeders, waterers, bedding, fencing and more.

Start your chicks off right with our new Purina Organic Chicken Feed. Raising an organic flock has never been easier. To learn more about Purina Organic Chicken Feed click here.

 

 

 

Purina Organic Chicken Feed

Wednesday, March 2nd, 2016

Purina organic chicken feedPurina Organic Chicken Feed arrives at J&N Feed and Seed in February! If you’ve been thinking about making the switch to organic chicken farming, then you’ll love this new feed. Purina Organic Starter-Grower Premium Poultry is an ideal choice for raising your birds for organic eggs. Purina’s recipe is certified USDA Organic and contains no GMOs. This simple and complete formula contains no animal by-products, no fillers and no artificial preservatives.

Start your backyard flock with chicks and supplies from J&N Feed and Seed.  In addition to our new Purina Organic Chicken Feed, we’ve got feeders, waterers, heat lamps and much more!   We’re currently taking orders for chicks, so give us a call at (940) 549-4631 or stop by the store and place your order today.

Keep an eye on Facebook for Purina Organic Chick Feed, we’ll let you know when it’s here!

2016 Stock Show Dates

Sunday, January 3rd, 2016

2016 stock show

2016 Stock Show season is right around the corner!

The 2016 Stock Show season is going strong— Here are the dates locations of several major 2016 Stock Shows happening throughout Texas in 2016. Go to the links for each Stock Show to learn more about event schedules, entry forms, ticket information and more:

 

Ft Worth Stock Show and Rodeo: January 15 – February 6, 2016

San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo: February 11 – 28, 2016

Star of Texas (Austin Rodeo): March 12 – 26, 2016

Houston Stock Show & Rodeo: March 1 – 20, 2016

State Fair of Texas (Dallas): September 30 – October 23, 2016

Save the dates and make plans now to attend a stock show event near you— the 2016 Stock Shows are a must-do for you and your whole family!

If you’re showing this year, let J&N Feed and Seed get you ready for the big day. We’ve got show feeds by Lindner, Moorman & Honor Show Chow and supplies from Sullivan Show Supplies. We’ve also got shavings, blankets and everything else you need to win big in the ring! Let your friends at J&N Feed and Seed help you raise a winner this year.  And to all the exhibitors, GOOD LUCK!

How To Start Feeding Wild Birds In Your Yard

Thursday, December 17th, 2015

feeding wild birdsHave you noticed more birds in your yard since the weather has cooled? Feeding wild birds in the winter is important as food sources for birds slow in the winter. Here are proven tips and techniques to help you quickly enjoy beautiful wild birds found around your yard.

Most birdfeeders are designed to attract a wide variety of wild bird species but some have features which appeal to certain species such as Goldfinches and woodpeckers. An excellent feeder design to start with is a “hopper” feeder with wide ledges which presents black-oil sunflower seeds for big and small birds already living around your backyard. This approach ensures that you will attract beautiful wild birds quickly by using the seeds they prefer.

Bird-feeding tips:

Place your feeder so you can view it from a favorite room or chair. Think of a picture window, deck railing, patio, comfortable armchair or breakfast table. Some feeders are designed to attach to your window pane.

Your birds also need to enjoy where your feeder is placed so make sure it’s near plant or tree cover for protection from the weather and safety, yet easily found too.

Take an old, white t-shirt or towel and place it on the ground beneath your feeder (whether mounted on a pole or hanging from a hook or branch). Take a handful of black-oil sunflower seeds and sprinkle them on your “target”. Birds follow other birds’ feeding patterns so when the first bird finds these seeds, you and your feeder are in business!

Re-fill your feeder as often as necessary to encourage your backyard birds to enjoy your feeder every day too.

Get ready for your family to enjoy lots of natural fun!

Pick up your wild bird seed blends, bird feeders and bird houses at J&N Feed and Seed!

Source: National Bird-Feeding Society

It’s Time To Winterize Your Horse

Wednesday, December 16th, 2015

winterize horseNow that winter is approaching and the temperature is dropping, it’s time to consider how to winterize your horse. During the cold season, horse owners must make sure that their animals receive proper feed, water and shelter to stay healthy and comfortable. Further, since riders usually put a lot of time and effort into getting their horses ready for shows, trail rides, or other events during the warm months, if they maintain their horses over the winter, all that effort won’t go to waste and have to be started over in the spring.

Feeding

Many horse owners believe that when the weather is cold, horses need to be fed rations containing more corn, because they think of corn as a heating feed. However, corn and other cereal grains do not cause the horse to become warmer, they simply provide more energy (calories) to the horse. Hay, which contains more fiber than grain, provides more of a warming effect internally, as more heat is released during the digestion of fiber than of starch from grain. Therefore, horses are more able to maintain body heat if adequate hay is provided in the diet. Further, good quality hay is important during cool weather and winter months when pasture grasses are short or are not growing. Horses need at least 1% of their body weight per day in roughages to maintain a healthy GI tract, but 2% or even more may be appropriate during cold weather, especially when the horse lives outdoors.

Although grain does not provide as much of an internal warming effect as hay, it is often necessary to supplement a horse’s winter ration with additional grain to boost calorie supplies. Cold temperatures increase the amount of calories a horse needs to maintain body weight, as well as support activity or production. Because a horse may digest feed less efficiently as the temperature drops below the horse’s comfort zone, additional feed may be required to maintain body weight and condition. It is important to maintain the horse in a body condition score of 5-6 (moderate to moderately fleshy) because a layer of fat under the skin provides insulation against the cold. Further, horses in moderately fleshy condition require less dietary energy for maintenance in cold weather than thin horses. In general, feeding an additional 1/4 lb of grain per 100 lb body weight to nonworking horses will provide adequate calories during cold, windy and wet weather. Working horses may require up to an additional 1/2 lb per 100 lb body weight, depending on workload, to maintain body weight during cold weather. Feeds such as Purina Ultium, Strategy, Race Ready or Omolene 200 may be especially helpful in these situations, since the added fat provides more calories than grain alone.

Senior horses, which are unable to chew hay completely due to poor teeth and suffer from less efficient digestion and absorption of nutrients in the GI tract, need a feed specifically designed for them such as Equine Senior especially during winter months. Equine Senior contains enough roughage and added fat to ensure that the older horse can meet its fiber and calorie requirements without depending on long-stemmed hay or grass.

Water

Water should always be readily available to the horse. Snow is not a sufficient substitute for water, as the horse cannot physically eat enough snow to meet its water requirement. Ideally, the temperature of the available water should be between 45 degrees and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. If the water is too cold, the horse may drink less, thereby decreasing water and lubrication in the gut and increasing the chance of impaction-induced colic. Further, if the horse drinks less water, it may also eat less feed, resulting in loss of body weight and condition. Finally, if a horse is forced to drink very cold water, its energy requirement will increase, because more calories are required to warm the water to body temperature inside the digestive tract.

Shelter

Another consideration in cold weather horse care is housing or shelter. In general, even in cold climates, horses are happier and possibly healthier outdoors. Closed and heated barns are often inadequately ventilated. Horses living in poorly ventilated stables tend to develop respiratory diseases more often than horses maintained in pastures, even during cold weather.

If given the opportunity, horses adjust to cold temperatures with little difficulty. A horse’s comfort zone is very different from that of a person. In the absence of wind or moisture, horses tolerate temperatures down to near 0 degrees Fahrenheit, and even colder if shelter is available. Horses living outside should have access to adequate shelter from wind, sleet and storms. Trees, brush, or an open-sided shed or stable can provide adequate shelter. In severe cold, horses will group together to share body heat. They may all take a brisk run to increase heat production, and then come back together to share the increased warmth. A long thick coat of hair is an excellent insulator and is the horse’s first line of defense against cold temperatures. Horses that live outdoors during the winter should be allowed to grow a natural, full winter coat. Horses that live indoors will need adequate blankets in the cold weather to ensure that they do not get too cold. With sufficient thought and care by the horse owner, even horses that live outside in very cold climates will survive quite well during the cold winter months.

Exercise

Many horses are given the winter off from work due to the cold weather, the rider’s lack of time, or because they are given a break after a heavy show season. However, if horses are let off for too long, they may forget some of what they have been taught and lose the fitness level that they gained over the year of work. So, to prevent the winter slump, here are a few suggestions:

1. Longe the horse once or twice a week. This not only gets the horse exercising, but it gives you an opportunity to brush, clean feet, check for injury, and evaluate the overall condition of the horse.

2. If longeing is not possible and you have more than one horse, you can ride one and pony the second. This can be a good time saver and gets both horses working.

3. If time is available and weather permits, ride your horse or horses whenever possible. Keep in mind, your horse is not in the same shape and does not have the stamina as when you were riding more in the warmer seasons, so you cannot work as hard nor expect as much from the horse. Be sure to cool the horse down completely after work to reduce the risk of pneumonia, cold, or colic.

4. Another option is to check with local stables to see if their facilities are available to non-boarders. Often, stables allow outside horses and riders to use indoor and/or outdoor arenas for a fee.

Winter may not be the easiest time of year for enjoying our horses, but with proper feed, water and shelter, and some exercise and conditioning, our horses will make it through comfortably and be ready to go again as soon as the weather allows.

By Dr. Katie Young, Equine Nutritionist, Purina Mills, LLC

 

4 Tips for Staying Warm in the Deer Stand

Tuesday, October 20th, 2015

Staying Warm in the Deer Stand

Staying Warm in the Deer Stand

Late deer season can be some of the best hunting. Frigid temperatures without proper clothing and equipment can keep even the most dedicated hunter at home. Tackle the cold, fill your tags and take the buck of your dreams this season!

4 Tips for staying warm in your deer stand:

Dress Properly

  • Head- Keep your head and ears warm with a hat, beanie or face mask to block the wind.
  • Neck- Many hunters forget this, but offering insulation on your neck can keep the rest of the body warm. Wear a neck gaiter and you’ll be surprised what a difference it makes.
  • Body- Start your layers with a thin moisture wicking layer of clothing. Then add clothing made of windproof, waterproof and breathable materials. Insulate your chest with a down vest, bibs or a quiet jacket.
  • Hands- They always seem to get cold first! For bow hunting make sure you have a great pair of thin moisture wicking gloves. For rifle hunting wear insulated shooting gloves or warm quiet gloves you can remove before taking your shot. If you’ve tried these options and your still cold, invest in a hand muff so you can easily remove your hands and keep them warm before your shot.
  • Feet- Wear two pairs of socks. The first pair should be made of moisture wicking material and the second pair should be a thick wool sock. Slip on insulated waterproof boots and your ready to hit the cold night air!


Take your time walking to the deer stand

  • The last thing you want to do in freezing temperatures is sweat. Give yourself plenty of time to walk to your deer stand and avoid breaking a sweat. You may need to remove a layer on your way to the deer stand or pack your jacket and take it with you.


Move

  • Yes, you read that right. Move! Don’t scare the deer away, but try flexing your muscles while sitting and slowly move your hands and feet to increase blood flow. This will also help keep you warm.


Bring a Heater

  • There is no shame in running a heater in your deer stand. Safely use propane heaters and make sure they are sturdy to avoid tipping over.

Take these tips with you on your next hunting trip to stay warm. Share your hunting pictures with us and come by for all your hunting needs! Good luck this season and stay warm!

Sugar Beet Crush Attractant

Wednesday, October 14th, 2015

Sugar Beet Crush AttractantPick up your deer attractants at J&N Feed and Seed. Wildgame Innovations Sugar Beet Crush Attractant is real sugar beets crushed and blended with fresh heat processed beans into an ultra concentrated one of a kind attractant. Deer go wild over real sugar beets and even more so after Wildgame Innovations crushes ’em and bags ’em. It is now easier to get sugar beets where you need them in this convenient carry pouch. This product is like no other and gives you that edge you are looking for to lure in that big buck with a craving for sweet beets.

  • Real crushed sugar beets blended with fresh heat processed beans to create an ultra concentrated attractant
  • Deer go wild over real Sugar Beets and even more so after Wildgame Innovations™ crushes ’em and bags ’em
  • Its now easier to get Sugar Beets where you need them in this convenient carry pouch
  • This product is like no other and gives you that edge you are looking for to lure in that big buck with a craving for sweet beets