Tips

Turtle Power

+African aquatic sideneck +Caspian pond turtle +Central American wood turtle +Painted turtle +Red-eared sliders

Canines and Covid-19 The University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) has started a pilot program with the aid of scent detection dogs to sniff out positive Covid-19 patient samples. After a training period involving being exposed to Covid-19 positive odor, urine and saliva samples in a monitored laboratory environment, the dogs will be able to determine positive virus samples. While humans have about six million scent receptors, dogs can have up to 300 million, making their ability to sniff out medical conditions such as seizures, low blood sugar, migraines and anxiety a help to their human friends. One more reason dog is man’s best friend. (vet.upenn.edu)

We all enjoy fresh, clean water, including our pets! Sometimes a slime called biofilm can build on plastic water fountains. With regular use, the bowl can get scratched, leaving it susceptible for bacteria to grow. Cleaning the unit with hot, soapy water or bleach and a thorough rinse can kill most biofilm, but without regular cleaning, the biofilm will continue to grow. Pet parents have been replacing their plastic fountains with a ceramic or stainless steel one. Both are made of non-porous material which is easier to keep clean. So go ahead, lap it up!

LKC is a not-for-profit all-breed dog club consisting of owners, breeders, and exhibitors of all breeds of pure-bred dogs. LKC has also provided canine education and scholarships for the Lancaster County community for 75 years.

"Like us On Facebook"

Wendy Jordan heads our staff and oversees all operations utilizing her lifetime of experiences in dogs. All of our staff have a minimum of 3 years experience working with dogs, (trainers are required to have 5), and are well educated, caring, and experienced.

Hobby farms, also known as farmettes, are small scale farming operations generally operated for a family’s self-sustainability. While commercial farms are the landowners’ full-time income source, hobby farms are a great side hustle for those looking to enjoy the outdoors. Homesteads can be started in cities with a garden and some small animals or can include a menagerie of feathered and furry critters on larger land plots.

Lancaster County boasts farms of all sizes and is a beautiful area to begin gardening and raising animals. Melanie, a local homesteader, grew up on a farm and started a personal farming project in November 2019. Melanie tried city living for several years, but felt trapped and wanted a change for her family. “It was in my blood to manage a farm. While we didn't have many animals on the farm where I grew up, a goal for myself was to incorporate animals into my farm.”

Melanie started with a duck and a dog. The farm grew to include a garden, several ducks, chickens, goats, horses, and cats in less than a year. “Farming is my excuse to have a lot of animals. When I got this property, I thought, ‘Oh look, there is a barn and pasture… might as well fill them!' I’ve always loved all animals. If I had more room, I’d have one of everything." Melanie’s family helped with a lot of the initial setup, but Melanie and her daughters do most of the upkeep, especially when it comes to the animals. “This farm is my baby, and I'm glad my kids get to grow up here.”

Sharing in the journey of farming is something that not only brings fresh food to your family but also creates a healthier, less stressful lifestyle. “I have been thriving,” Melanie said. “I don’t even need coffee to get going in the morning anymore because I am up early, outdoors, energized, and ready to go.”

What you get out of your farm depends entirely upon what you wish to grow and raise. “It is so nice to be able to make dinner without having to run to the store all the time,” Melanie said. “If I need a quick dinner, I can go into my yard and pick vegetables and throw together pasta.” Melanie continually experiments with new food ideas using the resources she has on hand. “I recently tried to make cheese out of goat’s milk. I wasn't super happy with it, but that’s ok. I’ll keep trying. I love experimenting with new food and products. I plan to try to make soap, too, which should be interesting.”

For many, being able to go into your backyard and spend time with animals is all the motivation needed to start farming. Melanie’s farm animals are loved and treated like pets, so she knows her milk and eggs are from an ethical source where they have a quality life. “I 100% prefer being in the barn cleaning and talking to and feeding the animals over being in my house. I’d spend all day out there if I could. I enjoy all the critters. I love observing them and learning about them, and I always have.”

Farms are also a great place to raise a family. “Living on a farm provides my kids with all the life lessons you'd think it would, plus more. This lifestyle teaches them to appreciate where their food comes from and to work for what they have. In today’s society, we are losing so much of the sense of knowing where our food came from, and I value that for my family,” Melanie said. “And, of course, it teaches them to love and care for animals.”

Farming, no matter how large or small, is a commitment that requires research and preparation. Before bringing farm animals home, it’s important to check your municipality's regulations to confirm which animals are allowed on your land. It's equally essential to research the care needed, as each animal differs in maintenance and cost.

“The advice I give to others is to start small with one or two projects, and gradually grow. Too much at once is overwhelming,” Melanie said. Starting with something simple, like a small garden, will give you a feel for what it is like to maintain a farm. If you find you are enjoying the process and want to add animals to your farm, start with something easy and affordable.

“Chickens are perfect starter animals,” Melanie explained. “They are more intelligent and personable than people give them credit for, so while they provide for your family, they are also fun companions.” Chickens are excellent pets who are often easy to handle, entertaining, and social. While ducks may be a tempting alternative, they require more care. “Ducks are very messy and always need a water source, which you have to refresh several times a day.” Ducks and chickens can certainly live together, however, if you feel up to the challenge.

When it comes to four-legged farm animals, goats are among the best, so long as you have a sturdy fence to contain them. They are highly social animals who are a joy to be around, don’t need as much space as larger animals such as cows, and come in many breeds with differing advantages. If you are looking for fiber, there's a goat breed for that. If you want milk to create soap, cheese, or ice cream, there are breeds for that, too. Some other common farm animals include llamas and alpacas, pigs, turkeys, rabbits, horses, and sheep. Each has advantages and disadvantages, so researching them is key to happy animals and a happy family.

No matter where you decide to go with your farming journey, it's important to remember you should get fun, relaxation, and pride from the experience. Keep in mind that it is not always easy. You will get dirty, have bumps in the road, and find aspects challenging. However, while it can be a lot of work to maintain a farm, the benefits to your health and wellbeing are numerous. Petting a goat, hugging a chicken, and watering a garden are all perfect escapes from the world’s current events.