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Showing posts from April, 2016

Feeding Piglets: The Right Diet for Healthy Growth

Feeding piglets properly is one of the most important steps toward raising healthy, fast-growing, and profitable pigs. The type and ratio of feeds you provide between three to seven months of age play a major role in determining their growth rate, body weight, and overall performance.

Fleckvieh Heifers: The Dual-Purpose Breed Transforming Dairy and Beef Farming in Kenya

The Fleckvieh breed, originally from Central Europe, is gaining increasing popularity across Kenya for its dual-purpose efficiency;  producing both high milk yields and quality beef. What makes Fleckvieh stand out is its exceptional feed conversion rate , meaning it produces more milk and meat per unit of feed compared to many traditional dairy breeds. This makes it highly economical for farmers aiming to maximize returns on limited resources.

Dealing with Aphids: How to Protect Your Crops from Damage and Fungal Infections

Aphids are among the most common and destructive pests that attack fruit and vegetable crops. These tiny insects feed on plant sap, causing leaves and stems to curl, yellow, and eventually weaken. In addition to direct feeding damage, aphids leave behind a sticky, sugary substance known as honeydew , which attracts ants and promotes the growth of sooty mold,  a black fungal coating that blocks sunlight and prevents plants from photosynthesizing effectively.

The Causes of Egg Binding in Chickens – Why It Happens and How to Prevent It

Egg binding is a serious and sometimes fatal condition that affects egg-laying birds such as chickens, ducks, and parrots. It occurs when a hen is unable to pass an egg through her reproductive tract. In severe cases, the trapped egg can block the cloaca (the passage shared by the digestive and reproductive systems), leading to internal injury, infection, or even death. When a bird that has died from egg binding is examined, one might find a fully formed egg lodged inside the oviduct, or worse, a broken egg that has caused internal damage. Understanding why egg binding happens is key to preventing it.

How to Successfully Rear Indigenous Chickens: Key Things to Consider

Rearing indigenous chickens can be both rewarding and profitable when done the right way. These hardy birds are well-adapted to local environments, require less intensive care than exotic breeds, and provide high-quality meat and eggs that are in great demand. However, success in indigenous poultry farming depends on getting a few key things right from the start.

Using Soap to Control Pests Naturally

If you're looking for a simple, affordable, and eco-friendly way to manage pests in your garden, soap solutions might be your secret weapon. This method works particularly well for horticultural crops such as cabbage, tomatoes, and leafy greens, and is a great addition to an integrated pest management (IPM) strategy.

Ensuring Your Worm Fertilizer is Truly Organic

If you want genuinely organic worm fertilizer, it’s essential to pay attention to what your worms eat. Worms should be fed only with plants grown without chemical fertilizers. Feeding worms plants that have been treated with synthetic chemicals can compromise the organic integrity of the compost they produce.

Understanding Feed Formulation: A Key to Optimal Animal Nutrition

Feed formulation is a critical process in animal nutrition that ensures livestock receive the right balance of nutrients for growth, health, and production. Successful feed formulation involves careful consideration of several factors, including the animal’s nutritional needs, the types of ingredients available, their nutrient content, and the associated costs.

Growing Sunflower and Castor: Ecological Requirements and Best Practices

Sunflowers and castor are two versatile crops that thrive well under similar growing conditions, making them excellent choices for farmers in hot, semi-arid, or moderately dry regions. Both crops are valued for their oil-rich seeds and resilience in diverse environments, but understanding their ecological requirements is key to achieving optimal yields.