Sue Kennedy Teaches Cows to Eat Leafy Spurge

Cockerel or pullet? The question of a chickens gender is quite important for most backyard chicken keepers, as having a rooster in a suburban area is generally not allowed. However, when purchasing young chicks, it can often be the case that a few of your pullets may actually be cockerels, and it won’t be long until you have some very cranky and tired neighbours on your hand. So how exactly can you differentiate the males between the females? Most commercial poultry operations will pe

In the world of backyard poultry, ducks hold a special place in many people’s hearts. They produce rich, flavorful eggs and are — mostly — known for their charming personalities. Ducks are hardy by nature, and will harmlessly mingle with other farm animals. But to keep them healthy, it’s important to feed them a good diet, one that sometimes differs from their frequent companion, backyard chickens. “They’re healthy eaters,” said Lisa Steele, author of the book Duck Eggs Daily: Raising Health

But not long ago, their picky palates were nibbling at the farm’s productivity. They simply would not eat a bitter weed called Rumex crispus, or curly dock, that was spreading through his pastures – and if cows don’t eat the invaders, they’ll spread until they’ve completely taken over. “Everyone has a sweet tooth, and cows are no different,” says Bansen, who as a supplier to Organic Valley, couldn’t spray the weed into submission. I

This works for any animal – so whatever you’re raising, check it out! In 2004, I taught a small group of heifers to eat Canada thistle, leafy spurge and spotted knapweed. I was inspired by two decades of research on how animals choose what to eat, and by ranchers’ (perfectly reasonable) refusal to incorporate goats into their cattle operations. My thought was, “If everything in the research is true, then I should be able to teach a cow to eat a weed. And that would be M