Bordertown Feed and Farm Supply

Raising Pheasants.

2011-03-05T05:59:00.000-08:00

Well theres some hope that spring is just around the corner. I have decided to buy about 500 pheasants eggs to put in my incubator this year. Pheasants are alot of fun to start from egg to chick and can be sold as just for meat, hunting dog training, or just to release on your property.

As they start growing it takes a higher protein food you start with game bird starter, next grower , next flight conditoner, and the final stage game bird maintance.

There is alot of books on the market that will give you all the information you need, one of the best places I feel is Cackle Hatchery they have lots of reasonable priced supplies. After your birds hatch in about 28 days there ready to enjoy.

For more information and help send me an email bordertownfeed@yahoo.com at Bordertown Feed 418 High St. in Priest River Idaho. 83856

An Ounce of Prevention.

2011-02-28T17:09:00.000-08:00

Sitting around hoping your chickens stay healthy wont make it happen, but you can increase your chances for sucess by adopting the following disease preventing measure.

1- Choose healthy birds
2-Isolate new birds
3Vaccinate
4-Clean up
5-Give your flock a comfortable place to stay
6-Dont over crowd
7- Feed a balance diet
8-Adopt a close door policy
9-Be alert to early signs of disease
10-Promptly remove sick or dead birds from your flock.

So if you follow these common rules you should have hours of fun with your chickens and eggs. Make sure your flock has plenty of fresh water.

Cold and Snowy Day in Priest River.

2011-02-28T04:05:00.000-08:00

Well good morning North Idaho, its been a long and cold winter. The calendar says two more weeks till spring.

Well I cant wait Ive got alot planned for spring and summer here at the store. I just put three doz. chicken eggs in my incubator its that time to hatch all those chickens, ducks, goose eggs and I will even have pheasants.

My parrots made it through this winter and the canarys are singing it feels so good. The little mexican dogs are now a whopping 4 and 7 pounds. Im looking for donations to get them netured if youd like to help send any amount you can to Bordertown Feed at 418 High St. in Priest River Idaho 83856 and thanks in advance.

My 2011 garden seeds are 10% off regular price I have a larger selection to choose from this year. When your in the area stop by and just say hi. If you have any good ideas on how you would like to see the store operate better just post it and I will respond. Thank You everyone have a good day And think Spring.

2010 in Review.

2010-12-26T14:35:00.000-08:00

Well hello every one, yes Ive been away for way to long. Just been really busy trying to get my store running and get where Ill make a profit.

Priest River Idaho has changed at all still a lot of people out of work. No jobs the lumber industry went to hell, the Building construction is way down. The only thing in this down is coffee shops a wine shop and a buch of second hand thrift stores now how many of these kind of jobs do we need.

The only thing left about this area that out does everything eles is the wildlife and all the recreaction. Priest River is just a gateway to one of Idahos most beautiful lakes the area is Priest Lake Idaho. Fishing is great and of course just enjoying the wildlife.

The old tavern that was over 100 years old here in Priest River that burnt down, they started up again in another building that was built in the 1800s I really like to see some of the few old buildings in this town we have left.

I think if I can remember some one said the building I have my feed and farm store in was was built in around 1934. Well stop in and visit me at Bordertown Feed its on 418 High Street in Priest River. We can talk about farming, fishing, or most any thing youd like. So unill I see ya have a good start to the new year.

2010-04-17T14:59:00.000-07:00

Chicks Gone Wild.

2010-03-23T18:05:00.000-07:00

I have always wanted an incubator to hatch my own eggs so I got one, Well I put approx 50 chichen eggs in and waited 21 long days for all the eggs to hatch.

Today 3-22 2010 in the early morning I opened the door and about 20 baby chicks fell out, what an exciting day its been.

Now its my job to sell these little guys at my store as a mixed sex for around $ 2.00 or make fried chicken this summer. My next goal is to hatch either quail or Turkey eggs. Well its time to close shop its nice to be back on my blog I wont stay away so long next time so untill then have a great summer.

Oops, Wrong Parent!

2009-10-05T23:09:00.001-07:00

Whats going on it looks different under here, Im really hungry dad where is mom.

These Bears Know the Right Photographer

2009-10-05T23:07:00.000-07:00

These cubs are looking for a good local photographer and they finally found one. Now if they could only read the sign. Hey Bruno can you read this sign. We can come back with the family and get our picture taken.

Bordertown Feed - Come Visit Me Here!

2009-09-16T09:30:00.000-07:00

Hi Folks.

This is my business located in Priest, River Idaho at 418 High Street. Stop by and visit Maggie she would like to greet you as you walk in. Im a small feed store,
but you will friendly service.

If your looking for something and cant find it, just ask I will go all out to get it for you.

We are open Mon - Sat 8:00 -6:00

Mom and Family on Priest Lake

2009-09-16T09:29:00.000-07:00

How cute is this picture, I can hear the babies saying hey mom slow down we are trying to keep up with you.

Winter

2009-09-04T23:00:00.001-07:00

This is the biggest reason I love this area no its not the snow , but the beauty of the land and the animals that GOD gave us all to enjoy.

This picture is a whitetail doe checking for a bite to eat.

There alot of wildlife around here my favorite are the huge grizzlies. Some are so big there really scarey.

If your ever in the area please take the time to enjoy the beauty but when leaving dont forget to leave it like you found it, and dont leave without stopping in Priest River and say hi to Jack at the local feed and farm store.

Tranquility

2009-09-04T22:56:00.000-07:00

An Afternoon Stroll...

2009-09-04T22:53:00.000-07:00

How do you like this pitcure I can only wonder how scarey it might of been getting close enough to take this picture.

This bear always comes around this area but it never bothers anyone as long as you let it do what it wants.
This year bears are staying more active before they find there winter home reason is there are more huckleberries this year.

So when your coming to this area to enjoy the great out of doors to fish, hunt, or just hiking on the trails always be careful and watch for signs of the mighty grizzly bears of North Idaho.

Beauty on the Wing

2009-08-28T22:26:00.001-07:00

The Bald Eagle one of the nations greatest birds, we have alot of eagles near the Priest Lake area they nest and do all there fishing right on the lake.

You can find these birds around the early fall flying high in the sky just waiting to fly down and grab a fish.

Friends

2009-08-28T22:25:00.000-07:00

This is a very odd pitcure,so much it looks like a fake, but its real its like what will hopefully some day every one will get along.

When you visit this Lake you would be surprise what you see.

Photo Show Of Northern Idaho.

2009-08-27T06:12:00.000-07:00

Good Morning, I have put together some of the best wildlife and landscape photos of the great Northwest.
These photos are all taken by a good friend who lives at Priest Lake Idaho.

So if you want to sit back and enjoy the pictures just scroll up, there are some beautiful places and some great animal shots.

As soon as I get them all posted I will explain exactly what area they were taken out. If there are any photos youd like to buy e-mail me and I will let my friend know so he can send you some information on how you can contact him.

A Beautiful Image from Wildlife Photographer Tom Holman

2009-08-04T23:45:00.000-07:00

This summer I sold my friend Tom about six rabbits,he took them home and released them on his property at Priest Lake where they will be able to roam the the country side with out being caged.

So on a warm summer day two of the rabbits stumbled upon a new friend in the neighbor hood. If you would like to see more pictures like this and many more from Priest Lake Idaho go to Tom's web site if you like something you can buy it. www.priestlakeparadise.com

Trees Fall in Priest River

2009-07-30T22:47:00.000-07:00

What a terrible site on the nite of July 26, 2009 the winds really started blowing around, 60 miles an hour and the rain came down in buckets.

The weather center called it a tornado it was awful. These picture were the huge trees in front of the Jr High school on Highway 2 in Priest River. I will post more pictures as they come in.. so keep in touch. Thank goodness no one was hurt and in time everything will be back to normal.

Jack's Great-grandparents

2009-07-26T11:28:00.001-07:00

This picture is one of favorites and the only one I have of my great grand parents.I never met my greatgrandma she died.

But in 1962 I got to meet Great Grandpa Yoder, he lived in Missoula Mont with his daughter my great aunt Tennie Yoder.

I was only about 5 or 6 years old back then and one thing I can remember is see my Great Grandpa wearing a nite cap and a gown just like they wore in the old western days.

Sharing the Pool.

2009-07-13T13:54:00.000-07:00

Well its now been almost three months since six Canadian gosling eggs were brought to me, to finish hatching out.

Im happy to say they all survived and are doing great. They really enjoy the water,and grazing in the large fields in the area.

I would quess any day now they should be ready to fly away and be on there own, Im hoping when they do that they will return and have goslings of there own.

Enjoying the being alone.

2009-07-04T00:37:00.000-07:00

Im not real sure where these pictures were taken, either Montana, or while dad was in the Navy at San Diego Calif.

I was about 2 or 3 years old, so long ago. What a simple life.

Toddler time

2009-07-04T00:36:00.000-07:00

This photo is in my jonny jumper, it was a blast I drug it all over the place.

Baby Jack

2009-07-04T00:34:00.000-07:00

This photo is me in the crib even back then I always had smile to share.

The card is when I was born the hospital gave it to mom showing my time of birth the date of birth and the doctor I cant believe after 55 years I never lost it.

The Good Life In Priest River.

2009-07-01T20:13:00.000-07:00

This place they call Priest River is a neat place to live and have a business.Every night I can walk about 1 mile and swim in the river.

Jack's First Tractor

2009-05-28T15:46:00.000-07:00

I was about 5 years old that tractor was my favorite toy.

The other photo was my uncle, myself, and my sister around 1958 we were at our Grandparents home in Livingston Montana. That was a neat place to visit cause it was a farm and I learned a lot.

Grandma and Grandpa Roth

2009-05-28T15:43:00.001-07:00

Grandpa with mom.

Grandma with mom.

The Old Homestead, 1924

2009-05-28T15:42:00.001-07:00

This photo is my Grandpa Roth's family,his dad, mom, and brothers and sister. It reminds me of the movie Grapes of Wrath with Henry Fonda. The photo was 1924

Great Grandparents

2009-05-28T15:38:00.000-07:00

Great Grand parents, Great Grandpa plowing his field.
The family of the Yoders my grandmas mom and dad and sisters.

My Dad and Grandpa

2009-05-28T15:36:00.000-07:00

Grandpa Donais and dad.

Dad on Gordon Ave.

My Military Dad and Uncle

2009-05-28T15:34:00.001-07:00

Dad in 1952 Navy at San Diego Calif.
Uncle Jerry and Jack Donais

Summertime In The Woods.

2009-05-25T17:09:00.000-07:00

Take some time to read a story to your young children.
...Lets read my story, Summertime In The Priest River Woods

Once upon a time a little girl named Becky lived in the back woods of Priest River Idaho. Her house was made of logs. There she lived with her mom her dad along with her little sister Amanda and there dog Jack.

It was summer in the woods and thats when the families are busy they work all day in the fields.

Becky and her little sister help there mom gather the eggs and weed the garden. Summer was also a time for vistors. When the vistors came mom did some extra cooking. There would be new children for Becky and Amanda to play with. When the cows were giving extra milk that was a good time to make cheese.

One day dad came home early with a surprise. It was a bee tree with buckets of honey. After dinner mom washed the dishes and Becky wiped them.

The windows were wide open to the warm summer night. Soon after both girls were tucked in to bed while listening to dad whistle softly to him self.

It was another happy summer day in the Priest River woods.

Jack Donais

Why Take A Walk.

2009-05-24T21:55:00.000-07:00

It is finally getting warmer durning the day and a little cooler in the evenings,a perfect time to take a walk with your loved one and enjoy all the beauty of nature and what it offers.
Walking is good for the heart and less change to have a stroke. The changes of diabetes are slim, it keeps your bones strong, preventing osteoporosis.
You will even loose a few of those unwanted pounds. Even sleep better, and of course counteract depression.
So enjoy a brisk walk,here are some helpful things to do to make your walk more enjoyable. Wear comfortable, loose fitting clothing.
For warmth add layers that can be easily removed.
Use flexible, lightweight shoes. Water is very important drink plenty while your walking. Just relax and enjoy your walk.

Whats Your Favorite 60s TV Show.

2009-05-24T10:10:00.000-07:00

The 1960s what a time to be a live every thing to be at a slower pace, life seemed simple.
Families would spend more time together,gas prices werent rising every week,and neighbors were always there to help when in need of help.
It was only the man had to work to provide and the woman could stay home and do what a woman enjoys. The American dream was something we all could look forward to.
My mom and dad got our first TV in 1956 a black and white with tubes and later in 1964 we thought we were in heaven we got our first color TV.
There were alot of neat shows back then especially the shows Walt Disney put out all family shows. I had many favorites but I would like to know your all time favorite from 1960 through 1969. We will see what show was the all time best. So get with it let me know your favorite and I will post the all time best TV show. O your wondering what mine were well I have two Leave It To Beaver and Bonanza. Enjoy and have fun telling me your favorite and why.

Goslings In Training.

2009-05-22T12:41:00.000-07:00

Well here is an update, pictures to follow soon, on the six goslings.

Yesterday a friend said he would be happy to take the goslings to his house there they would learn to forage and swim in the many ponds on his property.
I really didnt want them to leave my site but then again I always wanted the best for them so when the time comes for them to fly and live in the wild they would be better off.
So I said if you promise me they would be safe and you release them. He insured me they would get the proper living conditions and all the room to run around and forage and lots of swimming.

I will post some really neat pictures as I told my goose friends goodbye and Im sure they hated to see me leave em since I helped them come in to this world. I was told I could come and see em any time and take pictures and you know I will, and I will make sure to share them on my future posts. I bought some bands to put on there legs so I can tell if they do come back to the pond. So lets hope for the best and they have a full life. I will keep in touch.

Swimming Lessons.

2009-05-21T07:51:00.000-07:00

The goslings had a good day yesterday trying to swim and flap there little wings. They still dont have enough oil on there body to really swim a long ways.

Today Im thinking of taking 3 of them at a time to the park to run and flap there wings and get it all of flim to share with my readers. So until another post I will go get the little guys ready for there day in the park. Every one enjoy this sunny day.

Goose Update.

2009-05-20T12:44:00.000-07:00

Another day at work.This morning I woke up to a flock of baby goslings, One had jumped out of pen,as I was starting to walk away it started towards me so I ran to see if it could keep up, it was so cute a gosling running and flapping its little wings trying to keep up with me.

I cleaned there pen and fed em today.Im going to teach them about swimming. there now3 weeks old and about 5 pounds I made another call to the Game Dept to let them know the progress and to see if I need to know anything eles. I will let you know more as the time comes. I will try to post updated photos also.

Vote On Your Favorite 60s TV Show.

2009-05-17T15:59:00.000-07:00

The decade was the 60s it was a time when familes all spent more time with one another, things were much simpler, the neighbors helped each other. Gas prices were low and not costing more every week. It was a time when the man went off to work and knew he would a job till retirement. The wife could stay home and do the things a wife likes to do.

Isnt that what we all wish for today, less crime, less families breaking up Yes we all would like the old American dream again.

My favorite time during the 60s is TV programs we had our first tube TV in 1959 black and white back then our first color in 1964.

What I would like to do is to have anyone reading this post tell me your all time TV program from 1960 to 1969 I will let you know the results in the next few posts. If your wondering about mine I have two Leave It To Beaver, and Bonaza. Although there were many good programs.

So get started and send in your favorite. We will then see what program was the all time watched.

Jack's Baby Geese

2009-05-16T20:47:00.000-07:00

Hi, this is Marte, Jack's friend and guest poster...
When I was in Bordertown Feed getting grain for my horse a few days ago, I took this photo of the baby geese - thought everyone might enjoy seeing them.

Relaxing at Home.

2009-05-16T20:11:00.000-07:00

Well just got off from work. I had a friend go to Sandpoint to get me a new portable DVD player I ordered, it sure is a nicer one than the one I had.

Im going to watch two movies before I go to bed. It looks like no Triple Crown winner again this year but it was neat a very young filly won. I brought my lap top home so I could relax and just write without any one bothering me.

There are times I wonder if anyone reads the blogs from others, Ive had better luck on Twitter.O well its all fun just the same. Im going to try my new DVD player out and enjoy the Disney movie Fly Away Home so talk to you soon. Good Night.

Raising Chickens.

2009-05-16T10:35:00.000-07:00

Im going to give you some facts you need to know about raising chickens. Fourteen hours of light is needed for good egg production.

To prevent your chickens from pecking each other make sure you are doing the following things. Make sure the birds arent crowed,plenty of fresh water,make sure heat is just right not to hot or to cold,and make sure the birds arent to much boredom.

To prevent your chickens from laying there eggs on the floor make sure there nests are 18 to 20 inches off the ground.

If your finding blood spots in your eggs wellthat normal although unsightly. Its a small amount of tissue that is released along with the yolk. Usually it is caused from lack of vitamin A so try vitamin A and that should end that problem.

A hen will start laying depending on the breed but about 17 weeks old and some others about 30 weeks.

Thanks for coming to my blog get a few chickens and enjoy those fresh eggs.

Fly Away Home.

2009-05-15T14:49:00.000-07:00

Well hows life been treating everyone, since I was here last, lots have happened but the neatest thing was taking care of newly hatched Canadian Geese.

Here is the story on April 1, 2009 6 goose eggs were brought to me, the parents had died and the eggs were starting to hatch so I put them in my brooder just to see if they would finish hatching and surely enough they did, and now 2 weeks later they all weigh 4 pounds, there huge.

I will keep them another six to 8 weeks untill they are fully feathered and then take them all down to this pond where there are other ducks and geese and hopefully they will find a friend to fly away with and live happy lifes.
I will keep all of you posted, In the mean time I suggest never try to mess with mother nature.

My Animal Friends.

2009-04-25T04:10:00.000-07:00

Good morning, looks like its going to be a nice sunny day, its saturday tomorrow I think I will rake the pasture and seed it with grass and clover. This winter in North Idaho was really hard on everything, lots of repairs to be done.

I had friend post some of my animals hope you enjoy, thats me and my two mini donkeys, Barney and Eddie look how green the grass is and tall they really enjoy the free meal.

Thats me holding a Blue and Gold macaw sure is a big bird and I must say really noisey, there were times my ears were really hurting. But this bird sure can talk.

Nick is the monkey the owner of the store had, I use to work at, its mother was killed by poachers when it was a few weeks old.

He could be a handful always making a mess, once he got out of his pen and went right to the bathroom and took the toilet paper and un rolled it all over.

I was at Mc Donalds one evening and I thought it would neat to sit next to Ronald cause he looked so real.

Now for my favorite photo does this goat have two heads or doesnt it, you decide and let me know.

My feathered friends

2009-04-24T14:54:00.000-07:00

What a baby!

2009-04-24T14:53:00.000-07:00

My friend Ron

2009-04-24T14:52:00.000-07:00

Is it a 2-headed goat?

2009-04-24T14:51:00.000-07:00

Jack's critters

2009-04-24T14:50:00.000-07:00

Summer Is On Its Way.

2009-04-23T14:56:00.000-07:00

Well my friends I think we made it through the miserable winter in Northern Idaho. Now we can look forward to a wonderful warm few months.

Im going to make plans to do more fishing and take my new row boat out on the lake.

My friend is going to put some of my favorite pictures on the blog so look for them in the future, they will be some of my goats, my donkeys and of one of my parrots. Id like to get a good picture of Abby my dog to put on a page.

Yesterday I recieved 100 pheasants I will sell some, then let some loose in my pasture. Well I better go for now Im getting busy. See ya later.

Jack Donais bordertownfeed@yahoo.com

City Park in Priest River Idaho.

2009-04-07T08:31:00.000-07:00

You know I was thinking, this city has very strick dog laws I was wondering why the city wont let you take your dog to the park and play with it, Let it excerise, play frisbe and just have fun.
As long as the owner will be orderly and keep things clean when leaving. We are tax payers,and part of that money goes to our parks we should have some say.

This is such a small city the gateway to Priest Lake its like a tourist trap we need things in this town like a youth center for the young kids to go so they can be productive and stay out of trouble.

I challence everyone in Priest River to push the city counsel to think more of the people in this town and help our young ones have things to do instead of running business' out of town with there funky laws. So get started and get busy.

Summer in Northern Idaho.

2009-04-06T18:35:00.000-07:00

The day is over and now its time to blog I cant believe how hard it is to order chicks this year there is a waiting list to May. I quess I will incubate my own. My friend took his boat out for the first time this year, wont be long and youll see miles and miles of boats headed to Priest Lake. Check out my friends website, and enjoy the pictures he took of the lake. www.tomholmancollection.com If your interested in photo let me know,or a DVD of all his photos (780) just email him and he can send you one.
Well I dont have much to say so I wont waste your time,I gotta lock the store door and head for home my donkeys are probaly getting hungry.
Good nite.

What's Priest Lake Like.

2009-04-03T15:28:00.000-07:00

Well its starting to be a little nicer outside, pretty soon you will see this town full of cars and people from out of town headed to Priest Lake for lots of fun and beautiful sites.
For all you bloggers out there for your viewing enjoyment my friend is a photographer and I want you to go to his website and see all 780 photos and other parts of Priest Lake, Idaho. So enjoy and if want to buy any of the photos you see let me know or contact Tom at the Lake.
http://www.tomholmancollection.com/

2009-04-01T06:11:00.000-07:00

Sure hope I dont get that newest virus that is suppose to be out there. Could be just a bad Aprils fool joke. Todays going to be a very busy day Im getting alot of new supplies mostly things for the smmer season.

Im looking for fertile Emu eggs and about 5 doz chick eggs that have not been stored in fridge so I can incubate them. If you have any please call me or stop by the store.
Im going to go cook some breakfast,my favorite hashbrowns and chicken fried steak. I will be back later in the day.
It doesnt look like it will ever warm up wake up today with a fresh blanket of snow 2 inches, and its April.

Check out this web site, www.lmffeeds.com

Abused Dogs.

2009-03-31T20:24:00.000-07:00

I live in a city where the people or at least most of em, really love and care about there pets. But I have this neighbor who is a meth user and has spent most of 2008 and 2009 in jail.
Thats not my problem, the thing that makes me so damn mad is his dogs (2) are just left at the house with no love or attention. If I didnt feed em and the other neighbor water them they woud be dead.

I got permisson from the dad of the meth - jail bird to see if I could find a good home for both of them.
What I would like, is to see for some one on a farm or some acreage and keep them together since they are related. So if anyone would please help these dogs be happy again call me and I will give you more information. Call me at the store. Bordertown Feed in Priest River. Thanks, for help.

Support your local business.

2009-03-26T07:08:00.000-07:00

Good morning,
Yesterday I went to a local resturant to have lunch sitting in the booth next to me was our police chief I said hi I couldnt believe he didnt even respond like I wasnt even there. This guy doesnt impress me at all he isnt very friendly to some unless your in his click.

Another thing, its always nice to support your local business since we are about 1.754 in size just a small town with alot of nice people.

Another thing that bothers me is for no reason he told one of his officers to buy there drug dog, her food from some where else, so I found out this chief would rather drive and extra 30 miles and support another city than his own.

One excuse was he can get it cheaper by $ 3.00 plus the 10th one free, well I told them I could match that deal.

They say he wanted to save the dept money but it wasnt earned money, it is all recovered drug money from the drug users in the county. So bottom line is you can buy from whom ever you wish but its nice to support your own local business.

Spring is finally here ,Yippe

2009-03-20T08:56:00.000-07:00

Last night I become a Twitter, sure a lot of fun.Now all I need is some followers.
Well its the first day of spring I ordered the baby chicks, and some quail should be a busy season. The radio station from Sandpoint came to visit and wants me to put an ad on the radio, Think that would be kind of neat.
I signed up with NETFLIX lots of movies so that means I will be busy catching up on my movie watching.

Stop in the store have some coffee and we can watch your favorite western movie and discuss the good ol days. Also you can forget all your troubles.
Well better go for now,have a great day.

2009-03-19T20:22:00.000-07:00

2009-03-17T19:37:00.000-07:00

Hi everybody are you all feeling summer in the air, its suppose to get close to the 50s this weekend 3/21/09 so it wont be long before we are all headed to the lake.
The last two weeks there have been two deer coming up to my door at the store, so Ive been feeding them apple pellets and the same time 7:00 pm they show up.Im about 2 feet away standing inside looking out the window. Place your orders now I will be ordering chicks next week.
Does anyone have any old farm pictures they could donate I would like to frame them and put in my store.Well Im going to cut this short and hope to hear from all of you . What does it take to get you to respond. Have a great day.

Animal Health And Safety.

2009-03-12T03:58:00.000-07:00

Good morning its another cold day in this great city of ours but if you can believe the weather service its suppose to get up to a whopping 42 this weekend.

Today lets mention a little about animal health and safety. Nutrition a well fed animal is more likely to be a healthy animal. But what does well - fed mean, it all depends on each individual animal.

Young calves should recieve about 10 percent of there body weight daily. A good way to wean calves is to add increasing amounts of water to a constant amount of milk. A cows milk production will be higher if water is always available free choice. Horses as a rule, there needs are 1 and a half to to 1 and a third pounds of quality hay per 100 pounds of body weight, if its doing light work it also needs some grain bout 1 and a half pounds, I would consider looking into LMF horse feed, its made for horses in the northwest it out does any other products you will notice.

The most common mistake is over feeding a horse, never feed moldy or a dusty hay, it can be poison by some of the toxins that some molds produce.

Now the last animal now will be the swine. Feeding garbage is hazardous, because organisms of all kinds can be in the meat scraps, but as long as as there are no meat scraps in the mix then any other food products will be ok, but as grandpa would tell me if you feed a pig garbage you will end up raising pigs that wouldnt be as good.
Corn is an excellent source of energy but shouldnt feed just corn, a good mixture of grain works great there is a good mix its 40% protein and I can get it at the warehouse and you only use about a pound or so a day mixed in with the grain.

Well next time I will talk about goats and sheep, so enjoy the day and take care, any questions email me or better yet stop by the store and we can talk more on my favorite topic and thats farming and the days when farming was a way of life. Take Care.

Jack Donais
bordertownfeed@yahoo.com

Startig garden seeds indoors.

2009-03-11T20:46:00.000-07:00

I have been getting a lot of people asking me about starting garden seeds in doors so here is how I have done it and it seems to work.

Start in early Spring. 1- Fill a flat to within 1/4 inch of the top with potting mixture and level the surface with a piece of wood.

2- If your going to plant the seed in rows, use the edge of the wood to make 1/4 inch troughs in the soil.Otherwise, spread the seeds over the soil , evenly and not to thick then press them in with the flat side of the wood.

3- Cover them remember, they should be buried to a depth of about four times there diameter. Try to make sure that you spread an equal amount of soil over the whole area.

4- Newly planted seeds should be watered liberally but gently like a fine spray.

5- The last thing is the flats or pots should be put in plastic bags or covered with plastic to seal in the moisture, then you shouldnt have to water till the seedlins come up.

When the seedlings are up supply lots of either sun or grow lights, try to keep temp around 70

The seedlings should be transplated to bigger pots just before going in ground.

This is just the way I started out and they seem to do very well just dont over water and plenty of sun. Its a good time now to start so you will have lots of healty plants in the end.
Good luck and happy growing.

Im always here to answer all your questions all my learning came from my grandparents who were Amish on moms side.

2009-03-11T19:52:00.000-07:00

Today is March 11 2009 but you wouldnt know it by the cold temp we are having especially at night.I want to thank everyone who comes to Bordertown Feed to buy there dog and cat food along with all there farm needs.

We are getting a lot of new items especially items for feeding the deer , and all kinds of birds. Do you have ideas what you would like to see me stock in the store, so you dont have to drive to Oldtown or Sandpoint. Send me an email and let me know. The email address is bordertownfeed@yahoo.com I will do my best to get it.

I know its a little early to think about growing our gardens but lets get a jump on it and buy our seeds from Bordertown Feed, The seed spuds and onions will be here in a week or so.

Order your chicks now for early eggs it takes about 4or 5 months and they will start to lay before winter. Does any of the oldtimers in the area have any old photos of the way people farmed in the early days, if so I would like to get some copies so I can hang on the wall here at the store. I will pay what ever it cost for copies. What I would like to do is start a farm collection and display it some where. This area will never forget the days of logging,and I dont want to see farming go to the waste side.

Well my friends its getting late and I just know its going to be a busy day, Im going to say good night and I hope every one has a great day and if your still chasing your dreams then your not running fast enough so hurry up get a move on it and get it down. See ya. and good night.

Have some extra time well send me an email I would like to hear whats on your mind.
Jack Donais

Great Day In North Idaho.

2009-03-10T06:09:00.000-07:00

Today is Tuesday March 10, 2009 its early around 6:00 AM came to work early so I can get a head start on what life as in store for me.
Yesterday I put a deer block next to my door to see if they would enjoy a treat, and wouldnt ya know it before I left for home a doe and her twins I think, from last year were eating the block and all the extra alfalfa leaves that I had cleaned up from getting a load of alfalfa.
It sure was fun being about two feet away watching inside from the store window.
Last year we had moose come in to town but I just watched cause those animals are huge and she had a calf with her and she could get real mean if she feels your a threat to her or the calf.
When will it ever stop snowing I cant wait till I can see some green grass, start my garden and maybe take some time to go fishing this year.
Its hard running a business in these days especially when no one has money and especially in this area there are no jobs all the mills are closing or laying workers off.
When a new job does come to town its someone from the big city trying to push there ways on ya like the rich people , this is a great city to leave in raise children but we dont need people with big city ideas. What this area needs is to bring back the ways when neighbors helped neighbors you made deals with only a shake of the hand.
Where you could live without being in fear of getting robbed or things broken in to.
Will that ever happen again well maybe but it will take some working on.
So in the mean time lets work on all being better people, when someone gives you a helping hand return that act of kindness
Bye for now, enjoy life and this day, if you got anything to say feel free to give me a shout.
If your in the area stop in at Bordertown Feed and meet my cockatoo Maggie.
Jack Donais
418 High Street
Priest River Idaho 83856

2009-03-07T09:41:00.000-08:00

Today is Saturday didnt get much sleep last nite so Im really tired. But no matter what, ya gotta make a living. I will be glad when all this snow melts and it warms up 20 or 30 deg.
My donkeys can hardly get around the corral with snow up to there knees. I have some of my grandparents favorite recipes I would like to share with other bloggers that like good food.

Theres nothing like Grandmas country cooking.

Here is one of my favorite grandma made for us grandkids while we spent the summer on the farm in Montana,I hope you have a chance to enjoy it.
Chicken-Broccoli Casserole
3lb. frying chicken
2- 10 oz pkgs. frozen broccoli or 2 bunches of fresh broccoli.
1 cup mayonnaise
2- 10 3/4 oz. cans of cream of chicken soup.
1/4t curry powder.
1T lemond juice
1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese.
1/2 cup bread crumbs.
1T melted butter.

Stew chicken, cool and bone. Steam broccoli until tender,drain Grease an 11x7 in casserole. Place chicken on the bottom broccoli on top. Combine mayo, soup, curry powderand lemon juice.
Pour over broccoli. Sprinkle with a mixture of cheese and bread crumbs comined with butter.
Bake in a 350 oven for 30 minutes. It is suppose to serve 6 people but between grandpa and me we could eat it all by our selves.

Well try it I think you will like it. Thanks enjoy it with good company

Feeding our feathered friends.

2009-03-07T05:45:00.000-08:00

Most the people in my area of north Idaho like to feed the birds, we have so many they are all so beautiful and fun to watch. There songs,there squawks,there commets coming through open windows on a summer day.
The birds around this area are robins, house sparrows, blue jays, nuthatch, and chickadee, and a lot more. My favorite birds to feed are goldfinch and the titmouse all small birds, of the game bird my favorite to watch and feed are the pheasant and the turkey all though lot of people are starting to hate the turkeys cause there are so many and can be pretty messy.

I will mention whats the best food to feed for what bird. Thistle seed is the favorite for all the smaller birds. The style of feeder you use for thistle is a type of netted sock.
Sunflower Seeds are the most popular for all the birds but now they arent cheap around $26.00 up $30.00.
You can buy a #50 bag of cracked corn for less than $13.00 and that would last all summer except if you got deer, as we do, they also love all types of corn.
Most the time in the cold winter months its good to give the little birds a cake of suet. To make yours for less than nothing ask your butcher at the store if they have a package of suet take it home make a ball and roll it in some wildbird seed then watch the birds finish it off. Once again, I would love to have all you bird lovers come to Bordertown Feed and lets talk about the fun we have feeding all our featherd friends. I have alot of other ideas on different styles of feeders and some plants you can grow they like to be around.
So untill I see or hear from ya have fun.

Jack at your local feed and farm store in Priest River Idaho.

Chick Days are here again.

2009-03-07T02:24:00.000-08:00

Well Im back, finally got my computer back after a 2 month wait. I can see how easy it is to get hooked on modern times.

Looks like I made it through the winter with little damage, but I will have alot of spring clean up and some minor repairs fixing fences. If you dont like snow this is not the place to live, but if you can hang in through those snowy days the summers are great its a beautiful time to be outdoors.

Its that time of year people are thinking of raising there own chickens especially with the high cost of eggs and meat, who cares if PETA says we should eat only veggies we were not created to be rabbits. So today lets write something on the start up of a small chicken farm.

The best breed for you, depends on your reason for having chickens-for meat or eggs or both. For eggs the best layers, average between 250 and 280 eggs per year.

My favorite are the Buff Orpingtons and the Jersey Giant both lay large brown eggs, although I believe the color of the egg doesnt make it taste any better.

Now meat breeds some of the best are cornish cross,which are good tasten up to 5# in about 8 weeks.So come in to my store when you are ready and I should have the first shipment of chicks in 1 week or come in and pre order what you want on the day you like to have em. Then I can answer any other questions you might have, if I dont have the answer I will find I for you I guarantee it.

Time to put on some weight.

2008-12-30T12:43:00.000-08:00

Well its sure a beautiful day today the roads are nicely plowed and the sun is shining. Lets not get spoiled its still December,so lets enjoy it while it lasts.

Being thats its down right cold lets not forget about our animals, today I will talk about horses.

Its important to talk about weight gain,here is some ideas.

Is your horse a hardkeeper that wont gain or maintain weight? Many factors can influence weight loss,age,workload, nutrition, dental health, stress and time of year.

So lets mention how we can improve this problem, your horse may need an extra sourse of fat and protein.

Some also include digestive support ingredients such as probiotics and prebiotics. These can improve the efficiency of the digestive tract, and the bodys ability to utilize the nutrients.

There are several ways to handle this but lets talk about feed, The best horse feed is LMF its made just for your type of horse and for this area.

For weight gain I would use LMF Dev G. There are lots more ideas just stop by and we can talk more in lenght about this.
but in the mean time if you have another animal you would like to talk about and may need help with just let me know. So in closing remember in cold weather like were having besure all your animals have plenty of fresh water and food what ever you decide to feed them. Have a safe and happy holiday and enjoy all your animals.

Be thoughtful help the elderly.

2008-12-13T10:17:00.000-08:00

Good Afternoon.

Sure got a lot of snow last night about six inches in some places. I came to work and started shoveling right away. I enjoy feeding the wild birds and they all seem to know where the good food is they were all waiting at the front door all 30 of em. They all got there bellies full and off they went.

I would like to remind everyone if you live next to or near by some one that is elderly this winter make sure you check on them and see if they need any help. Why not shovel the snow for em, or drive them to the shopping mall.

By helping the elderly it will make you happy and you will be very helpful.

So in closing I want to wish everyone a happy holiday and be safe.

Farming through photography.

2008-12-11T15:45:00.000-08:00

Good Afternoon.

I was thinking how neat it would of been to live in this area when there was nothing but open fields of hay and corn, where everyone was neighborly and grew all there food and had there own milk cows.

I have a very good friend Mike Naccarato who lived in those times, and its really enjoyable listening to some of his stories.

Does anyone have any old farm photos I could have to frame and put on my wall at the store.

If anyone has time stop by Bordertown Feed and we can sit around and talk about the good days when farming was life.

Well untill next time keep smiling and support your local farmer.

Business Friendly City.

2008-12-08T10:21:00.000-08:00

I have lived in this area for many years, and have enjoyed the outdoor life it has I live on a productive farm with many animals and I grow most all my food. I get along with most every one around and I enjoy having my own feed and farm business.

Maybe its not as big as the other two neighbor feed stores but I try to make every one happy with good service. My only beef is why is Priest River not business friendly only if your in with the few clicks down town.

Alot not all but some of the click seem to say hate things about other business like maybe there just jealous. Why can all the business in town help each other let me tell ya we are all just trying to make a living and doing what we love to do.

Rich or poor we all have the same goals. So to make this city strive lets not turn up are noses to one another but to help make this city a great place to live and shop. Think about it you all wonder why we cant get people to stay in there business and have alot of vacant ones.

So for some good news for a change, my sister had her first baby now I am a uncle.

Everyone have a great day things will get better.

Need The Publics Help.

2008-11-25T10:56:00.000-08:00

Some where around Aug 25th and Aug 30th some one broke in to my place and stole the following items.

30-30 Winchester, 9mm UZI with clips and case. 357 Smith & Wesson, and a 41 Mag with my first name engraved on bbl in gold. Along with all my old VHS movies of John Wayne and Jimmy Stewart.

I have an idea who the scum bag is but now hes in jail in Sandpoint for something eles.

The Bonner County Sheriff and Detectives are working and watching these crooks.

If you know or have any information on this crime please let me know,or call Bonner County, if you contact me your name doesent have to be mentioned, or if you know the person or persons who did it tell them to return everything when Im not home.

If they sold everything for there drug habit then so be it. GOD help them.

Sand Colic Test.

2008-11-24T15:21:00.000-08:00

There is a simple test that can be used to monitor intestinal sand in your horses.

1- Take 5-6 fecal balls and mix them in a small bucket half fiiled with water. Stir

2- Let stand for about 1 hour. If sand is present, it will settle to the bottom.

3- Pour off the liquid. More than a teaspoon of sand left in the bottom of the bucket will indicate a strong possibility for sand colic problem.

A very good product to use and that isnt to spendy would be Sand Clear.

It comes in three different sizes 3, 10, and 20 pound buckets. If the animal already has a bad case of colic already its best to call your vet right away.

So untill next time enjoy your horse and dont for get to give him lots of love and care. Remember he loves your company also.

Beet Pulp as a feed Supplement.

2008-11-22T12:17:00.000-08:00

Beet Pulp is an excellent source of digestible fiber with realativelly low crude protein.Beet Pulp pellets can be a helpful dietary supplement.

Its great for horses known as hard keepers, or other animals that need to gain weight.

Beet Pulp can and should be soaked in cold water for at least 2 hours before feeding, to pervent choking and expanding in the animals stomach.

Also always make sure all your animals have clean and fresh water daily.

Most important always consult your vet and never feed beet pulp dry.

2008-11-21T10:23:00.000-08:00

Hi friends.

This is my first blog ever,should get better as time goes on. I own the feed and farm store in Priest River, I would like to meet you all I have everything from cow feed to dog and cat food.

If there is anything you would like I dont have now let me know And I will do my best to get it and stock it. Any ideas on how to make shopping at Bordertown Feed more enjoyable let me know.

If there is anything on farming, pet care, or anything eles you have questions on just ask me and I will do my best to get you the best answer there is.

So untill I hear from you enjoy the day and write soon
Jack