Brambles like raspberries and blackberries provide summer berries. But the work for yummy berries starts in spring with pruning, fertilizing and creating a welcome environment for plants to wake up. Since brambles are perennials and have some common characteristics allowing the following techniques to work for blackberries and raspberries.
The first year or two will require more water, mulch and regular care but won’t produce fruit. Once the brambles are established, they’re hardy and can grow on their own. However, these tips will ensure the most successful chance for a summer of harvests once they are old enough to start fruiting.
Pruning
Late February through April is a great time to prune, as long as there won’t be future freezes. Pruning maintains size, vigor, form and future fruiting. These plants have perennial roots and crowns but biennial stems (called canes). They develop new canes each year.
For most home garden bramble varieties, fruit only grows the second year, so you’ll want to make sure and protect those canes, as they’ll be the ones to bring fruit. You also want to avoid pruning first-year canes. These need to grow and be ready to fruit next year. Therefore, look for last year’s canes to prune. These will look dead and brown, as opposed to red or green.
In addition, prune out canes that are diseased, damaged or crowded. Each plant should have about six healthy canes. Finally, prune back lateral branches that will fruit this year to a length of 12 to 15 inches so they can grow larger fruit.
Fertilizing
Mulching around plants in the fall serves well to build nitrogen into the soil throughout the winter, but boosting them in spring has shown lots of success in creating more abundant fruit harvests, though not totally necessary. To fertilize, use a granular product; organic or a basic 10-10-10 works great and watering it in with a water-soluble fish emulsion 5-1-1. This application can be done in the spring and then again after harvest to boost the plant to set fruit buds for the following year.
To apply fertilizers, gently rake the soil in a circle around each plant being careful not to damage the roots. Sprinkle fertilizers uniformly around the drip line of the plant and 1 foot outward, but never near the base of the plant. Be careful not to get fertilizer on the foliage or against the bark because this will cause damage.
If the fertilizer does come in contact with leaves, brush it away immediately afterward. Once you have spread the fertilizer, gently work it into the soil with a rake, then water the fertilizer into the soil so it can become available to the plants.
Prepping the Environment
Trellis: Make sure the trellis is strong, erect and has great supporting wires. Understanding that spring can be very windy, it helps to secure limbs with branch locks into a supportive and safe position. Wind can damage plants by breaking limbs that aren’t secured. Branch locks are repositionable fasteners used for lateral tying and training vines.
Position Canes: The best way for the canes to be positioned is straight up to support the fruit load. Guide them making sure they have a great supportive structure before they start growing a lot of leaves and vines.
Spacing: Ensure good air movement and sunlight spacing between canes. Sunlight on the buds will develop the fruit and sugar content to make big, sweet, juicy fruit.
Check your PH: Brambles prefer slightly acidic to neutral PH of 5.5 to 7.0 If your plants have produced fruit before, you’re probably on the right track but soil quality does change year to year. If you start to notice the coloring of the leaves is pale, it’s worth soil testing because you’ll still have time to amend what is missing.
Mulching: Check the amount of mulch around plants. Blackberries and raspberries should be permanently mulched with about 4 inches of organic material such as pine bark, rice hulls or wheat straw. This mulch will help control weeds, conserve soil and moisture, and promote growth of the root system. Since the need to cultivate for weed control is reduced by the mulch, fewer roots are broken, resulting in less unwanted sucker plants between the rows.
Preventative Pest Control: According to the Oklahoma State University Extension office, “Spraying/or excluding pests for insect, disease, and weed control (Extension Current Report CR-6243) is necessary. In blackberries, liquid lime-sulfur is applied at 1/16 inches budbreak for anthracnose control. An appropriate pesticide should be applied at bloom time to control strawberry clipper. Plants may need to be sprayed during harvest to control the newly introduced spotted winged drosophila. Raspberry cane and crown borer’s are other major insect pests.” For more specific pesticide recommendations, contact your local county Extension office.
Raspberries and blackberries are very hardy perennials that last for several years. They are a crop yielding more in its lifespan than most other things you will plant. Understanding how to aid these plants will help them reach their full potential.
Once you get the hang of tending to brambles, check out hybrid varieties as well. Boysenberry, dewberry, youngberry and bababerry all grow in similar conditions with similar needs.
Chicken coop ideas include a camper-turned-coop at Lauren Pszczolkowski’s Merryweather Farm in East Haddam, Connecticut. Pszczolkowski’s family in Poland came from a farming background. “Hearing their stories and growing up around animals and gardens made farming feel like a natural fit for me,” she recalls. “Getting involved in 4-H at a young age only deepened that connection.”
Finding comfort in being able to rely on her land and provide for herself, Pszczolkowski’s farming venture includes a focus on producing fresh eggs and delights from the garden, plus a side angle in unearthing vintage goods.
Taking a minute away from daily duties, we spoke to Pszczolkowski about chicken coop ideas like turning campers into coops and succumbing to chicken math. We also learned how farming can offer respite from the modern fast-paced world.
Chickens form a key part of Merryweather Farm—although Pszczolkowski didn’t originally plan on acquiring such a large flock. “At first I thought keeping a few chickens would be a fun hobby,” she says. “Little did I know, I’d fall victim to what they call chicken math—it’s a real phenomenon! I quickly became addicted.”
“I’m fascinated by the different breeds and the array of egg colors they produce,” adds Pszczolkowski. “Over the years, I’ve delved deep into the world of chickens, learning so much about them. Along the way, I’ve made a lot of friends and connections through various chicken connections.”
When interacting with the peep, Pszczolkowski has come to utilize a special chicken call that she’s developed over time. “Sure, my neighbors might think I’m a bit crazy,” she says “but there’s something special about seeing them come running to me whenever I call.”
When it comes to the stars of the Merryweather Farm flock, a chicken named Mama has emerged as a leading light and the inspiration for chicken coop ideas and vintage finds. “A friend of mine, knowing my love for vintage campers, made an awesome find—a vintage Shasta camper turned chicken coop!” recalls Pszczolkowski. “So a few years back, I ended up hauling home this sweet red camper along with a bunch of hens and that’s where I met Mama.”
Spotlighting Mama’s personality, Pszczolkowski says that the hen has her own chicken coop ideas with a fondness for laying eggs in unexpected places. “You’ll often catch her chilling on my porch ready to say hi to anyone passing by,” she adds. “Mama’s as independent as they come and that’s just part of what makes her so special.”
Looking forward to the current year, Pszczolkowski says that her main goals for Merryweather Farm include bringing home a quarter horse named Felix and adding a three-stall barn to the property.
Additionally, introducing some goats and a mini-donkey to the farm has also been discussed, along with expanding a series of runs for rescue bunnies and guinea pigs. Finally, Pszczolkowski says that she intends to increase the farm stand aspect of Merryweather Farm and incorporate more farm days for the local community.
When it comes to the most rewarding aspects of running a family farm, Pszczolkowski says that being able to offer a safe haven for animals in need brings her “immense joy.”
Pszczolkowski also says that it’s been fulfilling to watch her son grow up surrounded by animals and nature. “I believe it’s crucial to teach our children the value of simplicity and gratitude, especially in today’s fast-paced world,” she explains. “Our farm serves as a classroom for life lessons where we learn to appreciate the little things and cherish all that we have.”
Dahlias are a beautiful vibrant flowering plant that belongs to the Asteraceae family which also includes Daises and Sunflowers. They come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. Some of the most popular flower shapes include single, double, cactus, and pompon. Dahlias thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. Depending on the variety, Dahlias typically bloom from midsummer to the first frost. Jung Seed offers awide selection of Dahlias. This year, we have several new Dahlias you are sure to enjoy growing.
Caribbean Fantasy has white 5” blooms that are striped with burgundy. It begins to bloom in mid to late summer growing 30-40” in height. Zones: 3 to 10.
Purple Gem has a dark purple cactus-type bloom. This unique looking Dahlia will begin blooming in mid to late summer. It grows 30-40” in height and 6” in bloom width. Zones: 3 to 10.
Dahlias are popular in gardens, landscapes, and floral arrangements. With their vibrant colors and diverse forms, they are perfect for bouquets, centerpieces, and other floral designs. Dahlias are associated with elegance, dignity, and inner strength. They convey the message of gratitude, admiration, and positivity. At Jung Seed, Dahlias are one of our favorite flowers to grow. We hope you’ll consider giving some of our new Dahlia varieties a chance to brighten up your garden this year.
Biosecurity in our flocks is one of the best ways to keep our chickens healthy. While biosecurity may seem like a complicated process used for commercial and battery farms only, this practice can be equally as effective in backyard flocks. So, how do you practice biosecurity in your backyard? Keep reading for some practical tips to keep your flock healthy.
What is Biosecurity?
We have all driven by farms with posted signs that read “biosecurity area,” but what does it mean? Biosecurity includes using preventive measures to avoid introducing harmful pathogens (including disease and bacteria) to livestock and reducing the spread of pathogens to livestock and humans outside the premises. While most backyard flocks and farms don’t require posted biosecurity signs, reducing pathogens from entering your flock or being spread from one flock to another is crucial to raising healthy chickens.
Biosecurity doesn’t have to be a complicated process. There’s no need to worry about foot bathes or washing your car tires whenever you leave the premises. With some know-how, practicing biosecurity can become a part of your daily practice.
1. Keep a Closed Flock
If you have never heard the term “closed flock,” you may wonder what it means. Keeping a closed flock means not introducing adult or adolescent chickens to the existing flock. Instead, the flock is either culled before new chickens enter the premises (this practice is typically used when chickens are raised for eggs or meat) or increased by raising chicks.
Why Chicks?
There are many reasons to raise chicks. You can even use your bantam chickens as broodies to expand your flock. While their cute faces and tiny size may be why many backyard flock keepers choose chicks over adults, there are practical reasons, too.
Chicks don’t carry the same harmful pathogens (including coccidiosis, external and internal parasites, harmful bacteria or disease). Chicks purchased from a feedstore or hatchery haven’t come in contact with disease or most bacteria, so bringing home those little fuzzballs shouldn’t pose a health risk to your flock.
Erin Synder
2. Quarantine New Birds
When purchasing adult chickens, quarantine the new arrivals to protect new additions and existing flock members from spreading disease or parasites. Quarantine new chickens for a minimum of thirty days or longer if health issues arise.
Always tend to your existing flock before caring for new arrivals during quarantining. Change shoes and clothing (including jackets and gloves in colder weather) between flock visits. Use separate equipment, including feeders and waterers, and coop cleaning essentials such as pitchfork, wheelbarrow, etc.
Before introducing new members to the flock, have a veterinarian check for external and internal parasites and bacteria in the feces. Treat any health conditions to avoid spreading from one flock to another. Always ensure new arrivals have a clean bill of health before introducing new hens to the flock.
3. Marek’s Vaccines
We know that mingling vaccinated and unvaccinated chickens together will make unvaccinated hens sick. Whether you decide to vaccinate against this disease is a personal choice. However, it’s critical to the well-being of your flock to never keep vaccinated and unvaccinated birds on the same property.
Erin Synder
4. Avoid Poultry Shows & Swap Meets
Poultry shows and swap meets may be a fun way to meet new poultry-keeping friends, acquire new birds, or look over a specific breed, but they are also a great way to bring home disease.
If attending poultry shows or swaps, always change your clothes and thoroughly disinfect your footwear before tending to your flock. When bringing home poultry from these events, quarantine poultry for a minimum of 30 days before introducing to the resident flock.
PRO TIP: This quarantine process is equally as critical for show birds. While show birds may appear healthy, they may have been exposed to disease and should undergo the same quarantine process new arrivals do.
5. Separate Shoes
Before you head out to the coop and run, changing into designated “chicken” boots will help prevent your flock from picking up disease. Separate footwear will ensure you do not wear the same shoes to the feedstore, veterinarian office, garden supply store, or any other destination where you may pick up diseases that could threaten your flock’s health. And you won’t be spreading bacteria or disease to other flocks.
Erin Synder
6. Keep Equipment at Home
Refusing to share or borrow equipment is another easy-to-follow biosecurity rule. Sharing incubators, feeders, waterers, brooder pens, and cleaning tools is another way disease and parasites spread from one flock to another. Protect your flock by keeping equipment at home and refusing to borrow your neighbors’ equipment.
Biosecurity may sound like a daunting practice, but with these practical tips, it can become a natural part of your daily routine. When paired with good nutrition, low stress levels and protection from predators, it’ll help keep your flock healthy and reduce the chances of disease.
Female farmers take center stage through the Female Farmer Project — created to tell the stories of the women who play pivotal roles in moving agriculture forward. Audra Mulkern created this platform to celebrate the female farmer and everything that entails. It celebrates female contributions to work/life balance, working dual jobs both on and off the farm, nurturing roles and so much more.
Throughout history, men have been depicted as leading the charge on everything agriculture. This includes discovering companion planting and innovating seeding and harvesting equipment and methods. It also involves standing next to all forms of livestock and being behind the wheel of every implement and piece of machinery.
But where, in all of this, were the women? Why are they not depicted in images and written in history books? They too toiled in the fields, milking the cows and harvesting the garden crops. Like so many things in history, the role women have played in ag—both big and small—has been swept under the rug or has had claim laid to it by men.
A Move in the Right Direction
Mulkern, a former Microsoft employee, bought rural Washington property in 1999 (pre-internet!) to detox from the corporate world. Driven and focused at work, she craved a connection to the natural world that wasn’t fulfilled when she was in her office.
At the top of Mulkern’s wish list? Living on land where she could see grass and trees, hear the birds and feel more tied to her community.
Audra Mulkern (photo by Julin Lee)
“I wanted the veggies [we ate] to be in eyesight for my family,” she says. She wanted to fully understand where her family’s food comes from.
“I was actively pursuing food grown in my community, but I was struggling to find it.There were no farmer’s markets back then!” she says. “I found it incredibly ironic that I had to drive through the farms—with people in the fields!—to the city to get vegetables that were grown in my community to feed my family.”
Soon after the Mulkerns’s relocation to rural Washington, a local family that owned Full Circle Farm began a farmers market delivery service. They used Mulkern’s home as a dropping point for weekly fresh veggies. Families would then stop by to pick up their produce.
Though Mulkern desperately wanted to tell the story of this innovative method of food delivery, it was the very beginning of blogging.
“I was so interested in highlighting these farms. But I couldn’t do it while working full-time as a consultant with two small kids,” she says. The drive to celebrate local food, however, never strayed far from Mulkern’s mind.
The seed had been planted. All she needed was the right time and environment for it to begin to grow.
The Female Farmer Project
When farmers markets began on the West Coast in earnest, Mulkern frequented many of them. She browsed the food and the goods farmers brought to the markets.
It was during one of these shopping expeditions that she had a realization. Every person behind the tables laden with healthy, beautiful, nutritious food was female. Once she saw it, she became fixated.
Why was every grower interacting with the public female?
She would wander through the various produce stalls and tables, listening as the women passionately explained to buyers where the came from and the farming practices that produced it.
Siri Erickson-Brown of Local Roots Farm by Audra Mulkern
“It’s Art”
Mulkern spent a lot of time visiting with market vendors in 2009 and 2010. Innately a people person, she was genuinely curious about how these women became involved in farming and how they strategically managed a farm, a family and often an off-farm job.
While getting to know the farmers, she began snapping pictures of their produce with her phone. “It’s art,” she says.
Mulkern loved to scroll back through the colorful photos she had taken and began to ponder how she could engage more people in discovering, and appreciating, the production of their food. “People have an appetite for understanding and appreciating their food,” she says.
She just had to figure out a way to harness this inquisitiveness.
Doing Something About It
As Mulkern became more familiar with and vested in the regular vendors at the farmers markets, she couldn’t figure out why she still paid so much attention to gender of the vendors.
She asked an artist friend of hers, “Why am I paying so much attention to this? Why are there only women here?” He told her she needed to pursue it.
That reinforcement that she was on to something was just what Mulkern needed to hear. And The Female Farmer Project started to form.
“I learned that if I’m paying attention to something, I need to do something about it,” she says.
To offer images to better connect consumers to producers, Mulkern learned how to use a nice camera instead of just snapping shots on her phone. She took photography lessons from a girlfriend who encouraged her to tell a story through the images she took, not simply use them as supporting roles.
“I truly wanted it to feel like a tribute to farming. There’s heartbreak and hardships, rituals,” she says. “I wanted to show the grit and the grace through my imagery.”
Mulkern also took writing classes to ensure she could honor the stories she told. Along the winding path that The Female Farming Project has taken, Mulkern has met some of the most powerful, kind, endearing women whose stories are both triumphs and heart wrenching.
Her project expanded to encompass more volunteer team members and platforms in an effort to tell the stories as many places as she can.
A Project for Posterity
As Mulkern cultivated more stories, female farmers began to seek her out to have their stories told.
“They are interviewing me as much as I was interviewing them,” she says. “I am really a traveling storyteller. I met them [the women] where they were.” This means a heavy reliance on social media to connect with women in various parts of the country and the world.
“I wanted to build a platform where their stories could be heard,” she says. “It’s crucial that these stories not get lost. These women tell of their farming history if they are multigeneration farmers or explain what drove them to farming in the first place. No two stories are the same, yet each is important.
by Audra Mulkern
“The ability to record the unique reasons why these women feel so tied to the farm and the products it yields is important to understating how feelings toward farming have shifted and changed over time. While once seemingly dominated by large, corporate farms, many people now seek out small and midsized producers in an effort to feel more tied to food systems and life cycles.
“Listening to them explain why they farm is oral storytelling. My dream is to turn these interviews over to the Library of Congress or the new Smithsonian Women’s History Museum. The women who grew and labored over our food need to have their place in history.”
Female Farmers: A Not-so Recorded History
Women have “counted” since the very first census in 1790. (It had only six questions!). But the type of information recorded about them—and their roles on- and off-farm—has changed.
The first six censuses recorded only the name of the head of household (typically male) and the number of people within the household. No other identifying data was recorded, including names.
Censuses also often overlooked the income-producing work women did, deeming it not of enough value to record. Much of the work women have done, including cleaning and assisting neighbors, piecework or taking in boarders, went unnoticed.
With this in mind, it’s easy to see why women weren’t mentioned in agricultural chronicles. This despite the fact that they often worked side-by-side with their husbands and sons.
“If you aren’t counted, it’s incredibly hard to gain traction in an industry that is primarily dominated by men,” Mulkern says. Sadly, this glossing over of women’s past agricultural contributions has had lasting financial ramifications for female farmers.
Last Effects
“Many of the women I meet are first generation,” Mulkern says. “They didn’t inherit land from their dad. So they lease land as they start out and are reluctant to put major investments into infrastructure right away. They want funds to be able to invest in things that are portable, like wash stations and mobile processing units.
“These women tend to be polyculture [a form of agriculture where more than one species is grown in an effort to imitate natural ecosystem diversity]. So they aren’t heavily focused on one plant or product.”
Because of this, these women ask for bank loans much smaller than loans the larger farms seek. “Let’s say she goes in and asks for a $30,000 loan,” Mulkern says. “The banks are also dealing with the big guy who gets a $500,000 loan for seed. They [the banks] tell these women a $30K loan isn’t worth their time or that they don’t fund hobby farms.”
This difficulty in obtaining funding means towns and cities lose local businesses.
“It’s truly a missed opportunity,” Mulkern says. “These women would transfer skills and knowledge from one generation to the next,” but they find little to no support for their efforts.
Female farmers seek ways to diversify the economy and help the environment (all things a town should be supportive of), all while fulfilling a desire to get their hands dirty. Too often, though, they encounter nothing but resistance.
Sisterly Support
Another topic near and dear to Mulkern’s heart is mental health — an issue The Female Farmer Project seeks to highlight.
Farm women face all the same issues male farmers do. But they have the added possibility of facing discrimination in everything from their funding source to their ability to purchase equipment necessary to run the farm.
Record debt, unpredictable weather and massively fluctuating crop prices leave many farmers feeling helpless. Add to this the isolation many farmers face and the invisible, unpaid labor many female farmers often shoulder (such as domestic duties and mothering) and it’s easy to see why some people reach a breaking point.
Two-thirds of female farmers work off-farm jobs in addition to their farm—not just for income, but for health care.
This is yet another reason The Female Farmer Project is so important. It connects farming women to each other. It lets them know that they aren’t alone, they are heard and they are seen.
The project recognizes and applauds their efforts to tend livestock, process meats and veggies, and nourish others.
Female Farmers: Observable Common Traits
Women share some traits no matter their crop. “If you go back and look at the writings of poets and explorers, they focus on systems and how they [the people] hook into them—not conquering them,” Mulkern says. “It felt more like an observation of the system as a whole.”
It’s this quietness Mulkern sees in every female farmer she highlights. “Women farmers spend time just sitting with their herds. I have met women who sing to their tomatoes [and] listen to their livestock.
“Through that observation, they gain an intuition that often mirrors motherhood.”
Through the Female Farmer Project, Mulkern seeks to write women back into the agricultural history of the United States. Her project celebrates the integral roles they played and recognizes the important skills they employ to create a much-needed shift in the agricultural space.
Nominate a Female Farmer
The Female Farmer Project is a multi-platform documentary project that uses stories, essays, photos, social media and podcasts to tell the stories of women working in agriculture. A documentary titled Women’s Work: The Untold Story of America’s Female Farmers, is also in the works.
Do you know a farmer who would be a perfect fit for the Female Farmer Project? Mulkern and her team are always on the lookout for women who are making important changes in the food system. Visit femalefarmerproject.org to nominate yourself or a female farmer to be featured, to write a guest essay or to be a guest on the podcast.
This article about female farmers originally appeared in the November/December 2021 issue of Hobby Farms magazine and is updated regularly for accuracy. Click here to subscribe.
Bobcat® equipment has always been a mainstay on ranches, dairies and all kinds of rural operations, but Bobcat compact tractors are uniquely suited to the needs of property owners, bringing versatility that’s virtually endless – with power and ease of use that will help you master every acre. There are 15 models in all. With four kinds of transmissions and horsepower ranging from 21-58 hp, you’re sure to find a model that fits your lifestyle and your workstyle. Let’s take a look at what this lineup has to offer.
Sub-Compact Tractors (2 models, 21-25 hp)
Bobcat sub-compact tractors are perfect for a wide variety of light-duty tasks from mowing small clearings to maintaining driveways in every season. Their smaller size allows you to take your tractor’s maneuverable horsepower inside and around barns, sheds and beyond. Whether it’s mowing, property maintenance, loader work or other light duty tasks, your Bobcat sub-compact tractor will earn its keep.
2000 Platform Tractors (5 models, 25-40 hp)
These economical tractors don’t skimp when it comes to horsepower, and they are available with manual shift or hydrostatic transmissions. Manual transmissions are effective for traveling longer distances at a consistent speed. Hydrostatic transmissions allow fast and intuitive direction changes that prove valuable for loader work and maneuvering around buildings and trees. An open cab makes it easy to climb on and off the tractor as needed.
The 2500 tractor models bring all the benefits of the 2000 platform tractors with an independent or live PTO for more productivity with less fatigue. The 2500 models also include a deluxe cab for unbeatable comfort for working during hot summer days or frigid winters.
4000 Platform Tractors (4 models, 45-58 hp)
These heavy-duty work companions deliver rugged power and work efficiency for mowing, clearing overgrown fields, grading driveways or private roads, or clearing snow – all in an economical package. The 4000 platform tractors have high horsepower, extra weight and your choice of two transmission types allowing for work performance that’s perfectly matched to your property. The open cab is appealing for operators who frequently get on and off the tractor.
5000 Platform Tractors (4 models, 45-58 hp)
With added horsepower plus easy operation and ergonomic controls, these tractors are made to quickly finish tough groundskeeping tasks: mowing, brush clearing and more. Extra machine weight allows these tractors to excel with ground engaging implements such as discs, cultivators and plows. A factory installed deluxe cab allows you to work in maximum comfort, whether it’s blowing snow in frigid temperatures or spending hours working in high heat and humidity. The 5000 platform tractors include a premium 3-point hitch for owners who plan to use a variety of different implements to complete work around their property.
With Bobcat – and Bobcat compact tractors – there are endless ways to do it your way. Want to learn more? Visit Bobcat.com/XX to see individual models and features or sign up for emails.
Keeping a small farm at high elevations, farm diversity and redistributing unsold produce are all topics discussed with Appalachian farmer Sara Martin in this Growing Good podcast.
Small Farming By Accident
Hear about how Sara and her husband, Dustin Cornelison, became “accidental farmers,” as their homesteading endeavor just kept growing. Sara talks about how their Two Trees Farm and Sustainabillies business support their small farm efforts and their community. With three-quarters of an acre in production, they’ve learned to grow and garden vertically and construct multi-use structures to make the most of their small farm. Sara explains how her background in ecology, rather than agriculture, has shaped her farming experience. Learn about the ecological growing efforts they use to make this challenging property into a productive piece of land.
Farm Tasks Keep Them Busy
Sara says when people ask them what they do at Sustainabillies, their first reaction is, “Putting out fires.” From gardening such as growing plant starts and diverse vegetable production to using the plentiful shady areas on their small farm for growing mushrooms and teaching classes, plus 70+ pastured laying hens, growing 70 percent of their own food and keeping a blacksmith shop, there’s no shortage of work to be done at Two Trees Farm. Learn about their wasabi-growing experiment and the mobile greenhouse that Dustin built on the back of their pickup truck. Let Sara take you back to science class as she reminds us about how to use the scientific method to make informed decisions on the farm.
Community & Sustainability
Also get to know the community work that Sara does, including with the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project and the local Cooperative Extension advisory board. Sara and Dustin manage Haywood’s Historic Farmers Market and have worked with their team to secure grants to pay farmers for their unsold produce and redistribute it to hunger relief organizations. “There’s no such thing as a bad day at our farmers market anymore for our vendors,” Sara says.
Tractor safety should always be top of mind, especially when rollovers can result in injuries and even death. Yes, tractor attachments like front-end loaders and backhoes are awesome and fun to discuss, but perhaps the greatest tractor accessory ever designed is the rollover protection structure (ROPS), also known as the rollover protection system.
What is a ROPS?
A ROPS is exactly what its name suggests: a tractor safety structure to protect vehicle operators in the event of a rollover. They’re not exclusive to tractors by any means, but the eye-catching appearance of a ROPS on a cab-less tractor—an arched bar rising up from behind the seat, reaching above the driver’s head—is a common sight. A ROPS can also be built into a tractor cab, though be warned not every cab offers ROPS-caliber protection. A ROPS must be strong enough to bear the weight of the tractor (if it rolls over) without giving way.
You might assume that tractor rollover accidents are a thing of the past; surely those stem from the days of unstable three-wheeled row crop tractors? While it’s true three-wheeled tractors can be especially prone to rollovers, there are situations that can cause even the sturdiest of tractors to either flip backward or tip over on their side. Operating on slopes or near ditches can be a recipe for rollovers, as can turning too fast or braking with only one wheel. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), tractor rollovers are the cause of around 130 fatalities per year in the United States.
ROPS can’t prevent tractor rollovers, but they can save lives. After 1985, ROPS became commonplace on new tractors in the United States, and the introduction has reduced rollover fatalities. When coupled with a seatbelt, studies suggest ROPS are close to 100% effective at preventing tractor rollover fatalities.
Should I install a ROPS on my old tractor?
If you’re operating a pre-1985 tractor, there’s a good chance it doesn’t have a ROPS. For your tractor safety, you’ll want to see about having one professionally installed.
We say professionally because ROPS are held to rigorous safety standards—that’s what makes them so effective. If you’re old tractor is a common model, like a Massey Ferguson 135, you may find ROPS options to be readily available.
If a suitable ROPS can’t be found, you may want to consider retiring your old tractor and investing in a post-1985 model. You can’t predict for certain when a rollover might happen, and a ROPS-equipped tractor offers effective protection.
Do other farm vehicles need ROPS?
Tractors aren’t the only farm vehicles at risk for rollovers. ATVs and UTVs are two other examples. ATVs in particular are at risk due to their small size and high centers of gravity, though even the larger and safer UTVs aren’t immune. When purchasing an ATV or UTV, see if it comes with a ROPS, or if one can be installed after the fact.
Having ROPS on your farm vehicles is really a no-brainer. When coupled with a seatbelt and careful driving, a ROPS will provide tractor safety and peace of mind through all your farming activities.
A tractor maintenance checklist for spring is crucial to be sure your tractor is ready when you need it. To prepare your tractor for spring, we’ve compiled a handy list of nine maintenance steps to follow.
1. Remove winter-specific attachments and accessories
Has your tractor been working hard all winter plowing or blowing snow? Assuming winter is past and you don’t expect any more snowstorms, remove any winter-specific attachments (like a snow blower or snow plow), as well as tire chains and ballast weights.
2. Thoroughly clean your tractor
You know how people talk about “spring cleaning?” Well, spring is a perfect time to clean your tractor. Wipe off dust, dirt, and grime. Consider using degreasers and cleaning solvents to remove buildup around the engine. You can even apply a coat of wax to the exterior if you want to get fancy and make your tractor shine.
3. Install nonwinter attachments and accessories
If you removed the mowing deck from your garden tractor to attach a snow blower or improve winter maneuverability, now is the time to reinstall the mower deck and any other nonwinter attachments or accessories you’ll be using in spring. The specifics will obviously vary depending on the type of tractor you have and the projects you tackle.
4. Change the oil, if needed
Perhaps your tractor is due for an oil change after a busy winter. Or maybe you need to drain winter-grade oil and replace it with oil suitable for summer heat. In any case, if an oil change is necessary, make it one of your top priorities.
5. Check and replenish other fluids
Does your tractor have other fluids that require attention? Hydraulic fluid? Transmission fluid? Coolant? Check all the fluid levels and top them off as needed.
6. Clean and/or replace air and fuel filters
Air filters and fuel filters shouldn’t be overlooked during spring tractor maintenance. The air filter should be cleaned and even replaced if it’s due; consult your tractor’s manual for guidance. Replace the fuel filter as well if it’s time.
7. Check tire air pressure
If you’ve been using your tractor throughout winter, you’ve ideally been keeping an eye on the tire air pressure, which can shift with changes in temperatures. Regardless, as part of your tractor maintenance, check the pressure again as part of spring maintenance and inflate the tires to the suitable PSI range if they’re low. From greater performance to decreased tire wear, keeping tires properly inflated comes with a lot of benefits.
8. Charge or replace the battery, if needed
It’s possible your tractor’s battery will need to be charged after winter. If it’s weak and struggles to start your tractor, give it a charge and see if that restores normal performance. However, if your battery is several years old and seems to be struggling even after a charge, it may be time to move beyond your tractor maintenance checklist and replace the battery.
9. Replace the spark plugs, if needed
If the battery is strong, but your tractor still won’t start, the spark plugs (if your tractor has a gasoline engine) could be at fault. You won’t have to replace spark plugs every year (or even every few years; they can last a long time), but if your tractor engine runs rough or has difficulty starting, it may be time for new spark plugs.
Congratulations! Your tractor maintenance has made you ready for a productive spring of farm work.
Knowing how to protect chickens from predators is important if you want to keep a productive flock. On the list of predators are oftenrodents, skunks and snakes, but they are rarely a danger to adult chickens.
Do Snakes Kill Chickens?
If snakes are allowed access to a chicken coop, they will happily dine on young birds and eggs, but they pose little threat to grown birds. While it’s possible for some large, exotic snakes to kill and consume whole adult chickens, it would be rather rare. In fact, it’s more likely that an adult hen will make a meal out of a snake than the other way around.
Signs of Snakes in the Chicken Coop
Unless you’re able to catch a glimpse of snakes entering the coop, there will be only a few mysterious signs of their presence:
Missing Chicks: No other clues
Whole, Missing Eggs: No other clues
Dead Chickens: Dead, adult chickens with a wet head (where the snake attempted to swallow it)
How to Keep Snakes Out of the Chicken Coop
Snakes prefer to feast on rodents, such as mice and rats, and will take up residence where and when there are ample food sources. That means if you have a resident snake, you likely have a rodent problem as well.
Knowing how to protect chickens from predators means following all the precautions for securing the coop. Like rodents, snakes can fit through very small openings in the coop. Eliminate the food source and the snake will move on.
Do Opossums Kill Chickens?
Several other common critters may pose a threat to your flock, though many of these scavengers are more of an issue for keepers with young birds or lots of eggs.
Opossums are rather common and live in nearly every corner of the country, in some cities and most rural areas. Opossums prefer to scavenge for food rather than hunt for it. If she finds a way into a chicken coop, she’ll go for eggs first, eating them on the spot. Young chicks make easy pickings as well, and if in the mood to hunt, an opossum will target grown chickens as well.
Mice in the Chicken Coop – Friend or Foe?
Know that mice and rats are more of a nuisance when you’re wondering how to protect chickens from predators than a true threat to adult chickens. While they are certainly capable of killing baby chicks, only a very large, very hungry and very motivated rodent will attempt to kill an adult chicken. Rats and mice tend to view the coop as a warm, dry shelter in which to make a nest, particularly if there is chicken feed to feast on nearby.
Do Skunks Kill Chickens?
Unlike the mammals in the weasel family, skunks rarely hunt grown birds. They tend to go for young chicks or eggs almost exclusively. The skunk’s smell is much stronger than that of the mustelid mammals, so if you are aware of its smell, you can be fairly certain it has paid your flock a visit.
How to Protect Chickens from Predators
Chicken predators come in all shapes, sizes and species. They fly, crawl, walk, stalk and slither.
Some gain access to your birds by climbing walls, others by slipping through fences, some by digging under enclosure perimeters and a few by simply charging in the light of day. Some are big. Some are small. Some are so crafty they can pass undetected until they strike.
Chickens are rarely safe, and they know it. By nature, chickens tend to be standoffish, skittish, flighty and a tad bit paranoid. Chicken fanciers often find their behavior quirky and endearing, but what we see as “just being weird” is really a well-honed defense mechanism. It’s no wonder chickens are constantly on the alert. Nearly every predatory creature, domestic or feral, finds them to be easy, tasty prey. On top of that, chickens have very few natural defenses. They have poor eyesight in low light and no teeth or strength with which to defend themselves. Between the natural fight-or-flight response, flight is the only viable option—and they can’t even do that very well.
So, as their keeper, it’s your duty to use your wits, tools and resources to ensure the flock’s safety. Here’s how…
1. Maintain a Secure Coop
The first defense, of course, is by building and maintaining a secure coop. Lock up behind your birds each evening, making sure they’re safe at the most vulnerable time of day.
2. Think Like a Predator
This is the best way to stay one step ahead of the marauders and to truly keep your birds safe. What are your local predators’ strengths? How do they gain access to chickens? How would they maim or kill, and what time of day do they tend to strike? These are all important questions any chicken keeper must ask about the predators that hunt nearby.
3. Be Diligent
Chickens are so easy to care for and have so few needs compared to other pets and livestock that it’s sometimes easy to forget that they are one of the most vulnerable. It’s easy to become complacent in the daily routine and let your guard down, even just once. That one slip-up—the one, tiny gap in fencing or the one time you forget to lock them up at night—could be a predator’s way in and spell disaster for your flock.
It’s critically important to take the necessary precautions and establish a good defense from the get-go. Don’t wait until a predator has already visited your flock.
What To Do If a Predator Attacks
If and when an attack happens, be prepared to don your detective’s cap. Unless you catch the marauder in the act, you’ll be relying on clues at the crime scene to determine which species made the attack. It can be surprisingly hard to figure out who was responsible.
1. Check for Obvious Points of Entry
What do you see as you scan the chicken coop and run’s perimeter? Are there gaps or torn holes in the fencing? Signs of digging? A window or door left ajar or pried open?
Check for obvious animal tracks around the enclosure. If you have muddy or snowy conditions, you may get lucky and find some.
2. Take Inventory
How many birds were killed? What time of day did the attack happen? Were any birds eaten? If so, which body parts? Are there any missing birds? If there are surviving birds, what is the nature of their wounds?
How to Protect Chickens from Predators – Key Takeaways
Chickens are easy prey for so many predators that it’s difficult to keep track. From feral cats to foxes, hawks and snakes, each predator has its own distinctive modus operandi that serves as a calling card, providing clues to what you and your chickens are dealing with. So use preventative measures, where possible, and keep a safe and secure coop.
This article about how to protect chickens from predators originally appeared in the Nov./Dec. 2023 issue of Chickens magazine. Click here to subscribe.
