The 2016 Great Backyard Bird Count will be held  Friday, February 12, through Monday, February 15, 2016.

The Great Backyard Bird Count is an annual four-day event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are.

Everyone is welcome–from beginning bird watchers to experts. It takes as little as 15 minutes on one day, or you can count for as long as you like each day of the event. It’s free, fun, and easy—and it helps the birds.

Participants tally the number of individual birds of each species they see during their count period. They enter these numbers on the GBBC website.

Participants may also send in photographs of the birds they see for the GBBC photo contest. A selection of images is posted in the online photo gallery.

WHY COUNT BIRDS?

Scientists and bird enthusiasts can learn a lot by knowing where the birds are. Bird populations are dynamic; they are constantly in flux. No single scientist or team of scientists could hope to document and understand the complex distribution and movements of so many species in such a short time.

Scientists use the GBBC information, along with observations from other citizen-science projects, such as the Christmas Bird Count, Project FeederWatch, and eBird, to get the “big picture” about what is happening to bird populations. The longer these data are collected, the more meaningful they become in helping scientists investigate far-reaching questions, like these:

• How will the weather influence bird populations?

• Where are winter finches and other “irruptive” species that appear in large numbers during some years but not others?

• How will the timing of birds’ migrations compare with past years?

• How are bird diseases, such as West Nile virus, affecting birds in different regions?

• What kinds of differences in bird diversity are apparent in cities versus suburban, rural, and natural areas?

The Great Backyard Bird Count is led by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society, with Canadian partner Bird Studies Canada and sponsorship from Wild Birds Unlimited.

Purina Layena Poultry Feed is available in both pellets and crumbles, this complete feed is formulated to support hen immune health and support egg quality.

“Hens require additional, specific nutrients when they begin laying eggs,” says Gordon Ballam, Ph.D., director of lifestyle innovation and technical services for Purina Animal Nutrition. “We look to our own backyard flock to fine-tune feeds that work best in the backyard poultry environments that are growing in popularity.

“Layena Premium Poultry Feed includes the high-quality ingredients laying hens require, because we know what you feed your hens impacts the quality of eggs you feed your family,” Ballam adds.

New Purina Layena Premium Poultry Feed includes:

• Prebiotics, probiotics and yeast to support immune health
• Freshly-ground North American grains with simple ingredients you can trust
• A balance of vitamins and minerals to support shell strength and egg nutrition levels

Start feeding Purina Layena Premium Poultry Feed to hens when they begin laying eggs between ages 18 weeks and 22 weeks.

This complete feed was created at the Purina Animal Nutrition Center in Gray Summit, MO., with success perfected in Purina’s backyard flock setting.

“We have travelled across the country to learn from backyard poultry enthusiasts what is most valuable to them and their family flocks,” says Jodi Moore, backyard flock marketing manager with Purina Animal Nutrition.  “We listened and are now pleased to offer all the benefits of this enhanced recipe, as well as debut our new packaging design.”

The new Purina Layena Premium Poultry Feed is being phase in during November. To learn more about backyard flock nutrition, visit www.purinamills.com/chicken-feed or like Purina Poultry on Facebook.

Source: Purina Animal Nutrition

The YETI Lowball has arrived at J&N Feed and Seed!  The Rambler 10oz Lowball is the ideal drinking companion at the deer lease or around the campfire. Whether it’s holding your first cup of joe in the morning or that last nightcap, the double-wall vacuum insulation will keep your hot drinks hot and your cold drinks cold far longer than standard mugs or cocktail glasses. And unlike your favorite bourbon glass, this Lowball will never shatter on impact or leave a ring on your coffee table thanks to its 18/8 stainless steel construction and No Sweat™ design.

Shop our entire selection of Yeti Tundra & Roadie Coolers, Hoppers, Ramblers, Colsters and accessories. We’ve got a fine selection of Yeti apparel including t-shirts and caps!  Stop in and see us here at J&N Feed, your YETI dealer in Graham, Texas.