Thermo-Peep Heating Pad for Baby Chicks - Review

If you’re looking for an efficient heating pad to keep your newly hatched chicks warm, look no further than the Thermo-Peep Heated Pad from K&H Manufacturing. This 9” by 12” heated pad is the ideal size for chicks of all ages and is especially necessary during the early stages life. Outdoor heating pads for animals are also essential when old man winter arrives!

Featuring dual internal thermostats that are pre-set to the perfect temperature, this outdoor heating pad ensures that your chicks don’t get chilled and is a go-to tool for supporting a healthy start. The thermostats keep the surface of the pad at about 10-15°F above ambient air temperature when your chick is not on the bed and at about 102°F when your chick lies on the pad. Using only 25 watts of power, the Thermo-Peep Heated Pad eliminates any chance of overheating or potential fire threats. It is the most efficient heat source on the market for your peeps. The safety and well-being of your peeps is of the utmost importance and this product makes certain of that by possessing a capped cord entrance, and the first 18” of the power cord is capped by steel to do away with any safety hazards.
There are holes in all four corners of the pad allowing for screws to anchor the pad down onto wood surfaces and for easy wiring when placing in more traditional chicken coops. This versatile product can be placed virtually anywhere and has been certified by MET labs to adhere to strict electrical safety standards. It is designed for 24/7 operation though it is recommended it be unplugged if you leave your home for an extended period of time.
For newborn chicks or chickens of all ages during winter months, this heated pad from K&H Manufacturing is the perfect heat source to keep your chickens warm and in good health. For even more tools to care for your chicks and chickens, be sure to check out our wide variety of poultry supplies at Paris Farmers Union!

How to Raise Chickens for Eggs – Tips to Get You Started

There are many benefits that come from raising your own chickens for eggs, including but not limited to: long-term savings from buying eggs, eggs produced by backyard chickens are fresher and tend to taste better, and there is evidence that backyard eggs are actually more nutritious.
So if you have decided to raise chickens for eggs for any of these reasons, you’re probably asking yourself “where do I start?”
Follow these 5 simple steps and you’ll be raising backyard chickens in no time!

1. Know the law – Before you get started, it is very important to check with your local authorities and/or homeowners association rules. Roosters are banned in many places, which actually isn’t a huge deal as hens will still lay eggs without them. In some areas, signed agreements are required from neighbors, permits need to be obtained, and sometimes an appearance before the zoning board is necessary. There are also communities where ordinances have been implemented that restrict the size and placement of outbuildings.

2. Choose your breed – Keeping chickens gives you the opportunity to raise any kind of chicken you choose, and there are a variety of breeds to choose from. Most breeds come in 2 sizes, standard (large breed) and bantam, which is typically a quarter of the size of standard breeds. Standard breeds tend to lay larger eggs and are typically less flighty since they weigh more. Lightweight breeds are the best for dependable egg production, but depending on what you’re looking for, there are also dual-purpose breeds (used for eggs and meat), and broilers (used primarily for meat). To view the breeds available to order from Paris Farmers Union, download our 2020 Chick Order Form.
3. Build (or buy) a chicken coop – The chicken coop’s main purpose is to shelter the chickens, but considering it will be in your yard, aesthetics could be an important consideration as well. When building a coop or deciding which one to buy, you need to make sure that the run is covered and that the fencing is buried about a foot deep. In both urban and suburban areas, many predators ranging from raccoons to coyotes run rampant, so be sure to use poultry netting around your chicken enclosure to protect your flock, or a sturdy hardware cloth to prevent smaller rodents from slipping through the cracks. Paris Farmers Union offers a variety of pre-built chicken coops for sale to meet the different needs of your backyard flock.

4. Care and feeding – To keep your chickens happy and healthy for ultimate egg production, it is important you stock up on chicken feed that is high in protein. Chickens will normally dig up most of their diet (worms, snails, seeds, etc.), but the high levels of protein in their chicken feed is extremely important. Also, make sure you are providing ample water to your chickens, because if they go without water for extended periods of time, they can go out of production for weeks at a time. Paris Farmers Union carries a large selection of poultry feeds for all life stages of your flock from Blue Seal, Nutrena, and Purina Feeds.
5. After hatch – If you are looking to hatch some of the eggs your chickens lay in order to have some more around, it is important to take special care of the chicks shortly after they hatch. Heat is one of the most important components, especially in the first few days after they hatch. After a few days, it is time to move them to their brooder, which is the place they will stay until they begin to grow and develop feathers. Household items such as empty crates, empty toy boxes or empty shelves tend to work very well.

Do you have any tips/tricks for raising chickens for eggs that worked well for you? Feel free to share with us in the comments!
And be sure to check out Paris Farmers Union for everything you need to raise chickens from coops to feed and so much more.

La Crosse Weather Station with Color Display - Review

Before you step outside to check the temperature, turn to the Weather Station with Color Display from La Crosse instead! This battery powered weather station brings the weather right to your fingertips, so you can keep up with the forecast outside without ever having to leave the comfort of your home.

Featuring a large vibrant LCD display with a convenient light dimmer for night time use, this product displays indoor and outdoor temperatures, as well as humidity levels and a 12 hour forecast based on barometric pressure.

To achieve the most accurate predicted forecasts, be sure to allow three to four weeks for the barometer to properly calibrate and provide a precise reading. The weather station also displays heat index, dew point and a 12 or 24 hour clock with snooze alarm and icon, as well as a built in calendar that shows the month, day and year.

Watch the display spring into life, depicting colorful weather graphics that show when it’s sunny, partly sunny, cloudy, rainy or stormy. The device operates by receiving a transmitted signal from an included wireless weather resistant sensor that measures temperatures inside and out within a range of 200 ft. Calibrate multiple weather stations to work with a single sensor so you can access the weather throughout several parts of your home or add up to 3 sensors to work with a single station.

This La Crosse Weather Station with Color Display comes with an AC adapter, but the receiver requires three AA batteries for backup power or wireless use, and two more AA batteries are needed for the sensor (batteries not included). A USB port is also available to charge mobile devices.

Whether it’s rain or shine, indoors or out, you’ll always be prepared to handle the elements with this weather station from La Crosse! For even more ways to keep tabs on temperature, check out our selection of thermometers, clocks and weather displays at Paris Farmers Union!

How to Extract Honey from a Beehive

If you’ve been keeping up with our Beekeeping for Beginners blog series, you already know about the main components of a beehive and the equipment necessary to care for it. If you’ve already set up your beehive, your bees have been hard at work and you should prepare yourself to harvest the golden benefits of their labor when the time comes.

The following guide will help walk you through the steps of removing honey from the frames of your hive so you can start to enjoy your super sweet harvest!

1. Remove bees from hive – Before removing any frames, you should first vacate the hive of any bees. You can do this in a variety of ways, but using an air compressor or a leaf blower to blow them out is a very effective method. You can also gently brush them off of each frame as you remove it, or use a specially designed bee escape that allows for bees to exit, but not reenter.
2. Remove frames from super - When you notice that shallow frames are over 80 percent covered in sealed or “capped’ honey, you are free to remove them for extraction. However, it is also advisable to wait until frames are entirely covered or until after the completion of the last major nectar flow of the season so you get the most out of your harvest.

3. Uncap – Hold the frame with a slight tilt over an uncapping tank as you prepare to cut away at the wax. Honey is easier to remove when it’s warm, so use a heated electric uncapping knife to delicately start slicing away at the wax cappings in an upward motion. Work bit by bit to reveal the honey on one side of the frame before doing the same on the other side. Use an uncapping fork for any wax you may have missed.
4. Using the extractor – Once you have enough frames uncapped, place them within the extractor. The extractor will spin the frames and honey will be removed from the cells into the holding tank with centrifugal force. Once honey is removed from one side of the frame, turn frames to the opposite side and repeat. Be sure to start by slowly spinning the frames to avoid damaging the delicate wax comb. When frames are empty, you can return them to the super.
5. Drain and strain – As the tank fills with honey, it will become more difficult for the extractor to spin, so open the valve at the bottom of the tank to begin draining the honey into the collection tank. Honey will pass through a strainer that will remove any extra wax, bee parts, and any other things that you don’t want in your supply.
6. Package it and enjoy!

Have something to share about your first harvest? Tell us about it in the comments below and be sure to check out all of our beekeeping supplies at Paris Framers Union to make every harvest a success!

South Bend R2F2 Catfish Spin Combo w/ Kit - Review

Head out for a successful day of catfishing with South Bend’s R2F2 Catfish Spin Combo with Kit. This catfish fishing kit contains all the essential catfish fishing gear you’ll need to get started, including a South Bend fishing rod and reel, packed in a reusable plastic tackle box.

Strong Design

Catfish can be hard to catch since they are shy biters and will resist the line as much as possible. Often times this means losing your catch, a broken line and wasted bait. This two piece fiber glass rod with an EVA handle is strong enough to wrangle even the biggest catfish. The pole, complete with a graphite reel seat and size 55 spinning reel with an aluminum spool, is designed for easy use and a successful catch. The durable fiberglass construction of the R2F2 means you don’t have to worry about your pole snapping in half when the catfish resists.

Great Value

One of the best parts about this catfish fishing pole is that it comes with a kit filled with useful tools and accessories. Everything you need is packed into the tackle box for easy carrying and organized storage.

Inside the tackle box kit you will find:

• Prespooled ball bearing
• Chrome guides
• Aluminum hoods
• High visibility rod tip
• Waterproof “How to Fish” guide

When shopping for a catfish fishing pole, you want to look for a strong and reliable rod and reel that is specifically designed for catching catfish. The R2F2 Catfish Spin Combo delivers with its durable design and fully-stocked accessory kit.

The R2F2 Catfish Spinner Combo Kit is in-stock and available for purchase.

For more information, please visit us at www.parisfarmersunion.com.

How to Start a Lawn: Step-By-Step Instructions

Starting a lawn from scratch can be a daunting task, especially if you are dealing with some serious acreage. But with a little preparation and attention to growing conditions, you can have yourself a lush landscape in no time!
The following steps will help you in your growing venture, outlining everything from assessing the condition of your soil to picking the proper time of year to disperse your lawn seed and how to care for your lawn when it comes to life.

Typically, it is best to plant during the fall when seeds are still able to germinate in cooler temperatures without drying out. Come spring time, you’re guaranteed rolling green pastures!
Test Soil pH – Before any actual planting occurs, you will need to test the soil’s pH level to measure acidity and alkalinity to determine if the soil is ideal for nourishing seeds and encouraging growth. Measure out soil into a pH test kit and shake well. Once the soil has settled, compare the color of the test kit to the color coded chart to determine if it is already optimal for germination. Grass grows best in soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5, so if your pH reading is lower than 6, the soil is too acidic and you will need to add lime. If the reading is above 7.5, the soil is too alkaline and you will need to add peat moss or sulfur depending on how mild the alkalinity is. We will cover how to handle this in a later step.
Remove Rocks, Roots and Obstacles – In order to even out the soil and till it to a good consistency for seed germination, you should remove any large rocks or roots by digging them out with a shovel and filling holes with additional topsoil. Use a rotary tiller to break up any large pieces of packed earth.

Add Sand and Compost – Now that you have leveled out the soil and removed any obstructions, use a shovel to distribute approximately one inch of sand across the entire planting area as evenly as possible. Follow up with a rotary tiller to mix the sand in with the soil. Use the same method to lay one inch of compost, again using the rotary tiller to incorporate it into the sand and soil mixture.
Balance pH Levels and Add Fertilizer – If your pH reading showed that your soil was too acidic, you’ll need to add a layer of sulfur with the broadcast spreader. Finally, use the walk-behind broadcast spreader to distribute starter fertilizer across the entire area. All of these need to be applied at different rates to be effective, so take your time in distributing them across the soil and do not mix them together in the spreader if you are trying to cut down on time. You’ll need to work the fertilizer and sulfur or lime into the top layer of the soil, so use a metal garden rake to mix everything together and then level it out.
It’s Seedin’ Time – Using a handheld broadcast spreader (or a walk-behind one if you are dealing with a large plot), begin to disperse the grass seed evenly across the entire area of soil. Flip over a plastic leaf rake to use the back of the tines in order to work the seeds gently into the soil. To avoid patchy grass growth, use short strokes to avoid redistributing seeds.

Water Regularly – After you have sowed the seeds and raked them into the soil, water the entire area lightly, taking care to make sure there are no dry spots. Water two to three times daily for the first 8 to 10 days for only 5 to 10 minutes at a time so as not to wash away the seeds. Once seeds have germinated and grass begins to appear, water daily for 15 to 30 minutes at a time. Try to water in the morning when there is less evaporation so your grass can take in an adequate amount of moisture.
Do you have any lawn starting tips that worked well for you? Share with us in the comments!
If you want to turn that patch of dirt in your backyard into a beautiful green blanket of lush grass, get everything you need at Paris Farmers Union!

Bogs Footwear – Waterproof Boots – Review

Whether you are looking for a heavy-duty yet lightweight rancher boot to withstand the daily dirt and grime of farm work or the rainy season is making your feet cry out for a waterproof rain boot with a colorful pattern to match your raincoat, Bogs footwear provides a wide range of multi-purpose, durable footwear options for men, women and kids. Bogs boots are able to withstand the most casual wear to the most rugged and down-and-dirty, keeping your feet dry, protected and comfortable all the while.
Waterproof Boots for Kids
Ideal for keeping your little one’s feet dry and comfortable in the face of any activity or weather, Bogs footwear offers a more traditional rain boot, as well as their Classic Boot for kids, both of which are 100% waterproof and can be purchased insulated with 7mm of waterproof Neo-Tech lining for added protection on the interior. Available in a variety of different colors and patterns, all styles are crafted from a durable, yet soft and flexible rubber upper and feature a convenient handle punch-out for easy pull-on.

Bogs kid’s waterproof rain boots are lightweight and also feature:

• Footbed made with DuraFresh bio-technology that fights unwanted odors
• Bogs Max-Wick technology that moves moisture and sweat away from feet to keep them dry

Made to withstand sub-zero temperatures of up to -30°F, Bogs kid’s classic boots also feature:

• Comfortable weight of 2lbs per pair
• Four-way stretch inner bootie
• Non-marking and self-cleaning outsole
• Aegis antimicrobial insole for odor protection

Waterproof Boots for Women
From practical to trendy, Bogs offers a wide variety of durable footwear styles that are suited for any woman’s lifestyle, whether running errands in the city on a rainy day or hiking in the rugged outdoors - they’re built to last. All boots, including the new B-Moc Puff boot and even the Juno boot with its textile exterior, are 100% waterproof and designed to keep your feet comfortable and protected from the elements while maintaining a sleek and simple design that appeals to consumers.

Bogs Women’s Waterproof Classic Boot is available insulated with 7mm of waterproof Neo-Tech and is constructed from a durable hand-lasted rubber over a four-way stretch inner bootie built to wick away moisture and increase comfort with Bogs Max-Wick technology. Built with easy pull-on handle punch-outs at the top, choose between ultra-high, high, or mid heights and select a color or pattern that best suits you.
Other features include:

• Built to withstand sub-zero temperatures up to -40° F/-40°C
• Superior traction with non-slip and non-marking outsole
• DuraFresh biotechnology helps fight unwanted odors
• Dual-density, contoured EVA insole for additional warmth and insulation

A modernized version of the reputable Classic Boot, the Plimsoll is another great all-weather boot offered by Bogs Footwear. Designed for wear during any season, the Plimsoll features an updated, sleeker design with a sneaker-like fit, but still retains the easy pull-on handles and all of the features that make it one of the most durable and comfortable brands on the market. Crafted from durable, hand-lasted rubber over a four-way stretch bootie with 7mm waterproof Neo-Tech insulation, the Plimsoll also has a non-marking and self-cleaning outsole.

Other features include:

• Made to withstand sub-zero temperatures up to -40°F
• Keeps feet dry with Bogs Max-Wick technology
• EVA insole contoured for added insulation and warmth
• DuraFresh biotechnology helps fight unwanted odor
  

Unlike its counterparts mentioned above, the Juno Lace Tall waterproof boot is actually crafted from a soft, quilted-like machine washable fabric that can be easily folded and manipulated, making them a perfect choice for lounging around the cabin or taking in the great outdoors from the comfort of your patio. The Juno also features a quick close lacing system for easy adjustability. Designed with a slip-resistant BioGrip outsole, the Juno is 100% waterproof and is guaranteed to withstand temperatures up to -20°F/-30°C.
Like most Bogs boots, the Juno Lace Tall comes built with the following additional features:

• Dual density, contoured EVA insole for extra insulation and warmth
• DuraFresh biotechnology activates to keep odor at bay
• Molded rubber outsole
• Rebound technology in the outsole to provide extra comfort

Aside from the styles mentioned above, be sure to check out the Seattle for Bogs’ low profile, trendier version of an insulated rain boot, or the Urban Farmer Shoe if you are in the market for something more rugged and built for work.
Waterproof Boots for Men
Whether you are looking for a practical slip-on for everyday wear or a hunting boot that is ideal to handle the often unexpected terrain of the great outdoors, Bogs offers a variety of men’s footwear options aside from the Classic boot style that is also available for both women and kids. As expected, all styles are 100% waterproof and are suitable for the great outdoorsman to the casual wearer.

The men’s waterproof hunting boot line offers styles that are ideal for a variety of hunting conditions, including boots that are more specialized for turkey hunting or for terrains where snakes are more prevalent, and are better tailored for your hunting style. With a hand-lasted rubber upper over a four-way stretch bootie for a snug fit, the selection of hunting boots offered by Bogs are some of the lightest on the market and are optimized with instep reinforcement to keep feet secure when running with additional comfort and warmth thanks to the EVA insole and lightweight Neo-Tech insulation. Depending on the style of hunting boot you choose, some features may vary, but rest assured that everything that makes them Bogs is intact!
If you are working in the construction field or in an area where your feet are subject to a little bit of occupational danger, you might consider investing in a pair of work boots with steel toe. Featuring the brand new Bogs BioGrip outsole designed for slip and chemical resistance, the outsole is still self-cleaning and ensures that you have the best traction on any given surface. The boot features an easily manipulated rubber upper and a rigid, wide steel shank at the toe for added protection.

Equipped with 2mm of Neo-Tech insulation and 2mm of EveryDry with Max-Wick technology to keep feet dry, this work boot also features:

• Ability to withstand temperatures 14°F/-10°C
• DuraFresh protection from odor
• EVA insole for added insulation and warmth

Be sure to check out the entire range of Bogs Footwear that we carry online at Paris Farmers Union, and sound off below in the comments to let us know what your favorite pair of Bogs has been through!