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AgSpeak Blog
Explore the AgSpeak Blog for expert agricultural resources.
The “Duck” Stops Here
The “Duck” stops here…. When you think of the word “duck”, what is the first thing that comes to mind? For some of you, it probably sends you into “hunting mode” and you are making a beeline for the gun safe…sorry, that season is still several months away. But “Hey Jack”, we will have a…
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Installing the Sentry Disinfectant Delivery System
Installing the Sentry Disinfecting System The Sentry Disinfecting System is a vehicle disinfectant delivery system that improves on-farm biosecurity. When setting up a new Sentry System, it is ideal to plan out where the trough for the undercarriage sprayer line needs to be, as well as the magnetic sensors before pouring the concrete. If the…
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Tips for Chicks
Tips for Chicks As many of you know, preparing for your next flock of chicks is crucial to the flock’s performance. Many growers will state that the time spent during this time out is where the “hard work” of growing birds is at. Below are tips to get your chicks off to a great start.…
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Spring into Action
Time to Spring into Action… I don’t know about you, but I can’t believe it’s already spring and we are nearly a quarter of the way through 2020. With parts of the South already having temps in the 80’s, it will be summer before we know it and this winter will be a distant memory.…
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Male Management for Best Performance
Male management for best performance Male management starts at placement of chicks. Floor temps need to be in the area of 98 degrees with chicks having access to heat, food, and plenty of fresh water. The caretaker must continually refresh food supply and water supply and maintain heat and ventilation, so birds are comfortable. House…
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Is your farm on “ALERT STATUS”?
IS YOUR FARM ON “ALERT STATUS”? The current high-alert status within our country right now makes me think about how farms often go without being on “Alert” for signaling troubles before it’s too late. Alarm systems are essential for keeping your poultry houses safe and are yet another step in preventing major losses. I’ve seen…
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Without Water, Everything Withers
Chicken Basics…It Pays to go Green Without Water, everything withers… The watering system in a poultry house is one of, if not the, most important pieces needed to ensure you have a good, healthy flock. With the recent pandemic event, a lot of us have flocked (pun intended) to various stores to purchase good, clean…
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Maintenance & Care – Pan Feeding
Having clean, healthy, and abundant feed available to your chickens is crucial to their success. It's imperative that the pan feeding system is in good working order to ensure that feed is evenly and adequately distributed throughout the flock. Follow this maintenance guide to help you keep your feed lines working well and your birds…
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White Paper – The Practice & Purpose of Minimum Ventilation
The Practice & Purpose of Minimum Ventilation Ventilating poultry barns during cold winter months is a delicate balancing act of preserving warmth and expelling moisture. It’s imperative that heat is retained in the barn so that fuel costs stay low during the cold-weather season; however, heaters and livestock both add abundant moisture and toxic fumes…
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Stray Voltage – An Invisible Concern
We don’t often think much about how electricity on the farm might affect the livestock. Stray voltage, however, can challenge performance. Stray voltage is small voltage, typically less than 10 volts, measure between two points that can contacted simultaneously by an animal. The voltage itself indicates a problem, but the current flowing through the animal…
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Equipment Maintenance – Flat Chain Feeders
Preventative maintenance helps ensure the longevity of equipment in a poultry house. There're a few things to keep in mind when servicing equipment. Always disconnect electricity before servicing equipment. Check chain tension regularly, especially when the system is new and being broken in, and adjust the tension accordingly. After about the first three weeks, check…
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“SILENCE OF THE CHICKENS” – PREVENTING PECKING AND CANNIBALISM
Cannibalism is the consuming of all or parts of the same species. This is a common occurrence in poultry barns of all different types including cage systems, aviaries, floor pens, outdoor, and free-range flocks. Paying close attention to your flock’s health and behavior is vital to stopping what could be a widespread dilemma throughout your…
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