Emma Reynolds

About Emma Reynolds

Emma is a born and bred farm girl having gained a love of agriculture on the family dairy farm in Dardanup. She completed a Bachelor of Agricultural Science at UWA specialising in Ruminant Nutrition and Animal Physiology. Emma spent 10 years working for the Department of Agriculture as a Development Officer in the sheep and beef industry.

Posts by Emma Reynolds:

Poultry Feeding Basics

Emma Reynolds

Chick Starter

Designed to be fed ad lib to day-old chicks until six weeks of age. Chick starter should be high in protein (18% – 20%) and may contain a coccidiostat to prevent the intestinal disease Coccidiosis. Chick Starter is a small, crumbled pellet that is easy for chickens to eat, and they should have water accessible at all times. Chickens will consume approximately 40g each per day.

Pullet Grower

From seven to sixteen weeks of age chicks will need to move to a pullet grower. This is a complete ration that includes sufficient protein for gradual growth (16%). Pullets should not be put on a laying pellet or crumble too soon as the extra calcium can damage their growth and particularly their kidneys. Pullets will consume approximately 50-100g each per day. Ensure fresh water is available at all times.

Laying Crumble

Laying crumble is essentially a laying pellet that has been crumbled. It can be fed to all chooks from 16 weeks of age but is especially suited to birds with smaller beaks such as bantams. They are high in protein (17%) to support egg production and will contain calcium as well as added vitamins and minerals. On average hens will consume 130g each per day.

Laying Pellet

Laying pellets contain a specially formulated ration to meet all aspects of a laying hen’s nutritional requirements and to maximise egg production. This complete and balanced feed includes all the necessary vitamins and minerals, amino acids and calcium. On average hens consume 130g each per day. Laying pellets can be blended with poultry mixes to add variety to the diet.

Poultry Mixes

Poultry mixes contain a blend of whole and crushed grains, and depending on the brand, they may contain peas, canola, corn, vitamins, minerals, oils, herbs, meat meal and shell grit. Poultry mixes allow poultry to scratch and select feed using instinct to balance their diet. On average hens will consume 130g each per day.

Shell Grit

Because hens don’t have teeth they use their gizzard to help grind their food. If they are free ranging they will look for smalls stones and grit which end up in the gizzard which uses a muscular action to grind the good against the grit. Shell grit can also be added to feed for this purpose and has the added benefit of providing calcium for bone and shell strength.

Meat Meal

When daylight hours shorten and the weather cools, chooks will moult some of their old feathers and often egg production will slow. During this time, they will redirect their dietary protein into growing new feathers to keep warm. This is the ideal time to boost their protein consumption with the addition of meat meal which may also return them to egg laying sooner. Meat meal can be fed to poultry by distributing through the feed or by providing in a separate container and allowing them free choice. It is important that meat meal is not fed to cattle, sheep, goats or other ruminants.

Kitchen Scraps

Kitchen scraps are a great treat for omnivorous poultry. However, the bulk of their diet should consist of a formulated poultry feed, so they are receiving the correct amount of protein for growth and production. The RSPCA suggests that hens should not be fed anything high in fat or salt, or food that is rancid or spoiled. Additional scraps that should not be fed include raw potato, avocado, chocolate, onion, garlic, citrus fruits, uncooked rice, or uncooked beans.

Reducing Stress in your horse during competition season

Emma Reynolds

There are many factors that contribute to the performance of your horse during competition. For many horses, the stress associated with competition such as isolation, travel, unfamiliar surroundings, and intensive training, can lead to stress. This stress, often coupled with a high grain diet, can be a major cause of gastric ulcers which can lead to reduced performance and long-term gut issues.

Support Gut Health

One of the symptoms of a stressed horse can be the presence of gastric ulcers. Consider incorporating a product that supports gut health such as;

B Complete®
Kentucky EquiShure®
Kohnke’s Own Gastro Coat®

These products help to maintain gut stability which will aid digestion, assist feed utilisation and temperament.

Fibre

Fibre is essential to help the microbes in the gut thrive. Good quality forages that are highly digestible and soluble will provide additional energy and reduce the reliance on grain. Consider using a product such as Fiber Fresh FiberProtect which is a moist, high energy, highly digestible forage fibre comprising of fresh cut lucerne and suitable for all horses. Additional energy, with no fizz and low GI can also be derived through the addition of oil to the feed. Consider using;

Cen Oil
Performa 3 Oil

Prebiotics

Prebiotics can further improve digestive health by providing a feed source for hindgut bacteria. Yeast base prebiotics have been shown to help improve fibre digestibility and also help stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria. Consider using;

EAC Inside Out®
Brewers Yeast

Reduce Stress

Keeping your horse stress free is not always as simple as eliminating the stressor. Horses are ‘fight or flight’ animals so will revert to these instincts when faced with a stressful situation. If they are unable to flee a stressful environment, they will express their nervousness in less than desirable ways. Health conditions, training issues and dietary imbalances can play a large role in undesirable behaviour and once these are eliminated, a calming supplement can be introduced. Consider using;

Endeavon B1
Kohnke’s Own MagE
Equine Technology Chill Out Powder
Advanced Feeds Thia/Mag

Scaly Leg Mite in Chooks

Emma Reynolds

Scaly Leg Mites

Scaly let mite are a common external parasite which affects poultry. The mite, Knemidocoptes mutans, burrow into the skin on the chook’s legs and the tops of their feet. The mites eat the flesh under the scales on the leg and feet and leave droppings behind, resulting in thick, crusty legs and feet. If left untreated the legs and feet will become so crusty that they will suffer from reduced mobility, potential loss of toes, and permanent deformation of their feet. If one chook is infested with scaly leg mite it likely that all your birds will be, and it is important to treat the whole flock to prevent an ongoing problem.

Treatment Options

To suffocate the mites and help promote healing, start by cleaning the chook’s feet and legs in warm water and gently scrub away dead and loose scales. Next coat the legs and feet in an oil such as linseed, mineral, olive, or vegetable. Wipe off any excess oil and apply a coating of Vaseline. Repeat this each day until new, healthy scales begin to grow.

Alternatively, an Ivermectin-based product (as found in cattle drench) can be used, however is not registered for use in poultry. This product absorbs through the skin and eventually makes its way into the skin tissue where is will be consumed by the mites. It also kills any internal parasites such as Bear in mind that the Ivermectin will also end up in the eggs and how long eggs should be withdrawn from human consumption is at the owner’s discretion.

There are many ‘traditional’ remedies for scaly leg mite which include the use of petrol, WD40, kerosene, or other solvents. These can be toxic to the skin and will be absorbed into the bloodstream potentially damaging the liver and kidneys of your poultry.

Grazing Muzzles – Is Your Horse a Candidate?

Emma Reynolds

A grazing muzzle is great option to prevent excessive pasture intake but still allow your horse to move around their paddock. They can be preferred by horse owners over other methods for limiting intake such as reducing turnout time, confinement in stables or in small bare paddocks.

Grazing muzzles should be considered for horses that are a laminitis risk. Ponies and horses that have previously been affected by laminitis, or are affected with other diseases such as Cushings disease or Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) are at higher risk of developing laminitis. Grazing muzzles can be worn every day or only when pasture is abundant (ie during spring when grass is growing rapidly).

Tips for Using Muzzles

Muzzles should be attached securely to the halter and the fit checked regularly to ensure pressure sores are not developing. If the muzzle is not properly secured the horse will undoubtedly find a way to get it off!
There should be a gap of about an inch from the end of the horse’s mouth to the muzzle. Ensure that the horse can open his mouth comfortably while wearing the muzzle.
Consider introducing the muzzle for short periods of time and gradually increase the time spent wearing it. How long you leave the muzzle on will vary but if the horse is constantly gazing it is important to check the muzzle multiple times throughout the day.
Ensure your horse is comfortable drinking water through the muzzle.
If the muzzle is removed and the horse is left on pasture it may result in compensatory eating. Horses are capable of eating large amounts in a relatively short period so all the hard work may be undone if your horse binges when its muzzle is removed.
Ensure you continue to monitor your horse’s behaviour and note any uncharacteristic changes as a result of wearing the muzzle. Keep track of body weight and condition and adjust feed and pasture to maintain your horse’s condition.

A grazing muzzle is a great tool for the laminitic prone horse or pony. When used properly they can ensure your horse can roam free, receive exercise, and socialise without stacking on the weight!