2+ hour, 10+ min ago (281+ words) A quiet shift may be unfolding inside many beehives, as new research suggests virus-infected honey bee queens could be losing authority faster than expected. The finding raises fresh questions about queen stability and colony health across managed hives. He added reduced pheromone output appears to trigger worker attempts to replace their queen. This process, called supersedure, often disrupts managed hives. It forces beekeepers to cope with sudden falloffs in hive productivity. Bees pollinate large shares of global crops each year. Queen failure can therefore influence important food systems worldwide. Synthetic pheromones for hive stabilityResearchers tested synthetic pheromones containing methyl oleate in real hives. The trials suggested treated colonies avoided unnecessary queen replacement. Dr Foster said this method could help beekeepers maintain steadier hives. He noted supersedure often creates heavy costs. Adding methyl oleate during peak seasons may keep colonies calm....

16+ hour, 51+ min ago (399+ words) DEAR JOAN:Our neighborhood is dealing with a homeless chicken. It wanders the neighborhood, sleeping in the bushes or other places it can find. It comes to our yard frequently, maybe because we have several seed feeders that drop seed to the ground. I don't mind the chicken, but there is a sometimes heated exchange among neighbors over whether the eggs she lays are safe to eat, considering we don't know what all she might eat, pecking away at so many yards. DEAR S.J.:Some people say they are perfectly safe, but health officials say it's not a good idea. Wild hens don't have someone taking care of them, providing a clean, warm roost, nutritious food and health care. Because of that, the eggs may be contaminated with bacteria, primarily Salmonella. If you want a more reliable source of healthful eggs,…...

20+ hour, 56+ min ago (428+ words) One study suggests up to 8 per cent of rams could be homosexual A woke fashion event in New York has merged high fashion with animal rights activism through an extraordinary collection made entirely from the fleece of gay sheep. The "I Wool Survive" show, which debuted on November 13, represents a collaboration between Los Angeles-based designer Michael Schmidt, German non-profit organisation Rainbow Wool and queer dating app Grindr. The initiative aims to rescue male sheep which show no interest in mating with females from being sent to slaughter. Mr Schmidt, who has created pieces for Madonna, Cher and Taylor Swift, described the project as both an artistic statement and a campaign for animal welfare. "The idea it's selling is that homosexuality is not only part of the human condition, but of the animal world," he told the New York Times. The…...

21+ hour, 46+ min ago (306+ words) Dogs really are man's best friend - especially at Christmas." British owners are set to blow a colossal "382million on their canine companions this festive season - spending an average of "26.30 per pup. But it's dog dads who spend more, an average of nearly "30 compared to "23.60 spent by women, according to new research by UK's biggest bakery Warburtons. The study showed dogs really are a member of the family with 53% saying their pet is the "boss" and 46% considering their animal to be like a child." Even in cash-strapped times 38% have spent more than "100 on a single gift for their pooch. Different breeds also enjoy different levels of yuletide pampering - with beagles named top dog. They get an average of "34.80 of gifts, with 95% of owners buying them a special something over the holiday period. Back of the pack are rottweilers with only 84% of owners…...

21+ hour, 51+ min ago (399+ words) DEAR JOAN:Our neighborhood is dealing with a homeless chicken. It wanders the neighborhood, sleeping in the bushes or other places it can find. It comes to our yard frequently, maybe because we have several seed feeders that drop seed to the ground. I don't mind the chicken, but there is a sometimes heated exchange among neighbors over whether the eggs she lays are safe to eat, considering we don't know what all she might eat, pecking away at so many yards. DEAR S.J.:Some people say they are perfectly safe, but health officials say it's not a good idea. Wild hens don't have someone taking care of them, providing a clean, warm roost, nutritious food and health care. Because of that, the eggs may be contaminated with bacteria, primarily Salmonella. If you want a more reliable source of healthful eggs,…...

22+ hour, 21+ min ago (280+ words) BELCHERTOWN, MA'Cautiously eyeing up a nearby mare in what barnyard sources described as a mixture of flirtation and guarded optimism, local horse Oatmeal reportedly took several moments Monday to assess whether a potential mate was also a horse. "I have pretty high standards, so I just want to make sure she's the one for me [] The post Horse Carefully Assesses Potential Mate For Also Being Horse appeared first on The Onion. BELCHERTOWN, MA'Cautiously eyeing up a nearby mare in what barnyard sources described as a mixture of flirtation and guarded optimism, local horse Oatmeal reportedly took several moments Monday to assess whether a potential mate was also a horse "I have pretty high standards, so I just want to make sure she's the one for me before I make any sort of move," said Oatmeal, carefully studying the animal's general…...

1+ day, 16+ hour ago (58+ words) The Wisconsin State Assembly and Senate have both passed a bill that creates a fine for individuals with "fake" service animals or false documentation of an emotional support animal. The Wisconsin State Assembly and Senate have both passed a bill that creates a fine for individuals with "fake" service animals or false documentation of an emotional support animal....

1+ day, 16+ hour ago (492+ words) Now living in Wheatland, Waneka has volunteered with the National Western for more than 50 years. He was first hired as an assistant livestock superintendent in the early 1970s. He led the National Western's Catch-a-Calf program for 35 years and continues today as an active committee member and participant sponsor. He also served for decades on the Junior Livestock Auction Committee. "I had a calf right in front of the announcer and Bob Hammill brought the halter over and dropped a few feet from me," he said. "I had an arm around the calf and my finger in my beltloop, and I was close enough I could have drug the calf out. I put the rope on with one hand and my teeth and got the calf and got out of there. I could have drug him out if they hadn't brought me…...

1+ day, 21+ hour ago (346+ words) Cathy Linderman always wished she had attended a college with an equestrian program. Perhaps her gift of a trio of horses to Wilmington College for its equine program now gives her a semblance of that unique collegial connection. Linderman is a prominent horse breeder whose stables once featured as many as 187 horses. "I was a Westerner (from Idaho), so I went to a school in the West," she said, noting that most collegiate horse programs are east of the Mississippi. "I have always regretted not picking a college with a horse program." Enter Linderman's friend, Pam McCoy, who met her when they both lived in Seattle. Upon retiring, McCoy returned to Clinton County, Ohio, where her parents, Robert and Helga McCoy, served on the Wilmington College staff and faculty, respectively, for decades. McCoy is a member of WC's Board of…...

2+ day, 5+ hour ago (488+ words) Now living in Wheatland, Wyo., Waneka has volunteered with the National Western for over 50 years. He was first hired as an assistant livestock superintendent in the early 1970s. He led the National Western's Catch-a-Calf program for 35 years and continues today as an active committee member and participant sponsor. He also served for decades on the Junior Livestock Auction Committee. "I had a calf right in front of the announcer and Bob Hammill brought the halter over and dropped a few feet from me," he said. "I had an arm around the calf and my finger in my beltloop, and I was close enough I could have drug the calf out. I put the rope on with one hand and my teeth and got the calf and got out of there. I could have drug him out if they hadn't brought me…...