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Western Manitoba eyes spring warily » PG 3
Don’t miss it! July 18-20, 2017 www.aginmotion.ca
SERVING MANITOBA FARMERS SINCE 1925 | Vol. 75, No. 10 | $1.75
March 9, 2017
Manitoba Beef Producers working to protect species at risk Producers teaming up with conservation group for protection of threatened habitat
manitobacooperator.ca
Coop cleanout proves nearly fatal
Even a small chicken coop can hide big dangers as organic matter breaks down
BY LORRAINE STEVENSON
BY SHANNON VANRAES
Co-operator staff
Co-operator staff / Dencross
B
I
eef producers will lead a new program in Manitoba aimed at improving the habitat — and thereby chances of survival — for grassland birds whose populations are in perilous decline. Manitoba Beef Producers
Publication Mail Agreement 40069240
See SPECIES on page 7 »
t was when the clucking and scratching of the chickens started to sound like a beautiful serenade that Rick Kurbis knew something was seriously wrong. “I’d been in the chicken coop for about half an hour cleaning and then I heard what sounded like the chickens singing, or more accurately it sounded like their clucking and their toes and beaks were making some sort of music,” said the owner of Kurbis Country Market, recalling the events of February 13. “I actually leaned on my shovel and listened for a moment, before I quickly realized this was not right.” By the time Heather Kurbis reached her husband, he was laying face down in the snow just outside of the chicken coop, which is used to house free-run hens. “He was kind of trying to shovel snow into his mouth, but he See COOP DANGERS on page 6 »
Rick Kurbis stands inside the chicken coop on his farm, where he had a close call with toxic hydrogen sulphide gas on February 13, 2017. Photo: Shannon VanRaes
Fa r m Sa f e t y W e e k / See pages 34 - 38 for full coverage T:10.25”
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