Herb Chick

02/21/2026

02/09/2026

This

02/03/2026

02/02/2026

02/01/2026

THE FEAST IS POISON. 🐦☣️

The storm is over. You fill the feeders to help the birds. You see the birds fighting for a spot. You feel good.

STOP. Check the bottom.

Did snow blow into the feeder ports during the blizzard? If yes, that snow is melting inside the tube right now. Wet grain + Plastic tube + Sun = The Mold Bomb.

Here is the science of "Aspergillosis":

1. The "48-Hour" Rule ⏳ Fungus doesn't need weeks to grow. It needs hours. Wet bird seed (corn and millet) begins to ferment immediately. The mold Aspergillus fumigatus blooms on damp grain. You might not see the fuzz yet, but the Spores are there.

2. The "Air Sac" Trap (Anatomy) 🫁 Birds don't breathe like us. They have a system of Air Sacs that goes deep into their body (even their bones). When a bird cracks a moldy seed, it inhales a cloud of invisible spores. These spores settle in the air sacs and grow into fungal plaques. Result: The bird slowly suffocates while looking perfectly healthy on the outside.

3. The Clump Test 🧱 Go look at your feeder. Shake it. Does the seed flow freely? Or is there a stuck "clump" of seed at the bottom? If it clumps, DUMP IT. That clump is a toxic brick.

⚠️ THE STORM HACK:

The Purge: After any major snow or rain event, empty the feeder completely.

The Bleach: If you see black mold, soak the feeder in a 10% bleach solution. Scrub the ports.

The Scent: If the seed smells sour or musty, throw it away. Fresh seed smells like nothing (or slightly nutty).

Clean food or no food. Those are the only safe options.



📌 Quick FAQ
Q: Can I just scoop out the wet part? A: Risky. 🎲 Spores are microscopic and float upwards. If the bottom is moldy, the whole tube is likely contaminated. Bird seed is cheap; a bird's life is not. Dump it.

Q: What about suet? A: Better. 🥩 Suet (rendered fat) is naturally water-resistant (hydrophobic). It doesn't soak up water like grain does. However, if raw suet gets warm, it goes rancid. In winter, it's usually safe.

Q: Which feeders are safest? A: Mesh or Tray Feeders. Mesh socks (for finches) and open trays allow water to drain and air to circulate, keeping the seed drier. Enclosed plastic tubes are the worst for trapping moisture.

01/31/2026

It looks like water. It acts like a scouring pad. ❄️🤮

The storm is here. Your dog is excited. He’s running around the yard, mouthfuls of snow flying. It seems cute. It’s hydration, right? Wrong. Vets have a name for the wave of ER visits that happens 24 hours after a storm: Snow Gastritis.

Here is the science of the Winter Bloat:

🥶 1. The Thermal Shock Your dog is 102°F. The snow is 32°F. When they binge-eat snow, the massive temperature drop causes the stomach lining to spasm and the blood vessels to constrict. It literally shocks the stomach into rejecting the contents. Result: Violent vomiting.

🧂 2. The Chemical Burn (Ice Melt) This is the silent killer in the US. That snow pile by the driveway? It’s loaded with Rock Salt and Calcium Chloride. These chemicals burn the mouth and the gut. Even a small amount can cause severe gastric distress.

💩 3. The "Parvo" Scare Snow hides old p**p. It preserves bacteria like a freezer. When your dog eats "yard snow," they are eating a bacteria slushy. This leads to Bloody Diarrhea (HGE) that looks terrifyingly like Parvo.

The Rule: Catching a snowflake? Fine. 🌨️ Treating the backyard like a buffet? STOP.

Limit time outside.

Don't let them "graze" on snow banks.

Wipe paws (so they don't lick the salt off later).

Keep the snow on the ground, not in the gut.



📌 Quick FAQ
Q: My dog loves snow, how do I stop him? A: Use a muzzle or leash. 🐕 If your dog is a compulsive grazer (a condition called Pica), you cannot trust them off-leash during a storm. A basket muzzle allows them to pant and run but prevents them from scooping up pounds of ice.

Q: How much is too much? A: Think of it like ice cream. 🍦 A few licks is a treat. A whole pint is a stomach ache. If you see your dog standing in one spot continuously eating snow for more than 30 seconds, intervene.

Q: What if he vomits once? A: Monitor. 🧐 If he vomits once but is acting happy, withhold food for 12 hours (water is okay) to let the stomach settle. If he vomits multiple times, looks depressed, or there is blood: ER Vet immediately. Dehydration hits fast in winter.

01/21/2026

01/20/2026

01/18/2026

Simple yet effective for good posture!

01/13/2026