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What happens when a lifelong dedication to animal nutrition meets the world of horse companions and dealer sales? Join us as we chat with Gretchen, a remarkable national customer business manager at the Purina Animal Nutrition Center, who has dedicated 30 years to Land O'Lakes. Listen to Gretchen reveal her extensive role in managing sales and marketing events, and discover the fascinating investment Land O'Lakes has made in their research farm. From field sales to lifestyle events, Gretchen opens up about her varied responsibilities and passion for her work.

Gretchen Riley, MBA
Gretchen is a National Customer Business Manager at the Purina Animal Nutrition Center in Gray Summit, MO where she manages all the sales and marketing events related to Horse, Companion and Dealer/Sales Training. She obtained her Bachelors in Equine Science and MBA in Agricultural Business, both from Colorado State University and joined Purina Animal Nutrition in 1994. Gretchen spent 13 years as an Equine Specialist in Arizona and then 5 ½ years as an Equine Specialist/Show Feed Specialistma in California before transferring to Gray Summit, MO to work at the Purina Animal Nutrition Research Center. She has been a horse owner and rider since she was 8 years old and enjoys her small farm with horses, mini burros, chickens, ducks, dogs, cats and honeybees.

Finally, we take a moment to appreciate the dedication of individuals like Gretchen, who are the heart and soul behind the trusted brands we use. Tune in for a heartfelt conversation that will leave you grateful and excited for what's next.
You can follow Gretchen here https://www.instagram.com/lifeofrileyfarm/

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Nikki hatched her first chicken egg in 2006 and has been obsessed with chickens ever since! She has her masters in education and loves teaching others. She left a career teaching kindergarten to stay home with her kids and now teaches others about chicken keeping through her social media channels and her book, Chicken Keeping Pure and Simple. She also just released a children’s book about her rescue goose. You can find her on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube as @purelychickens

From a kindergarten classroom to the coop, Nikki from Purely Chickens shares her heartwarming transformation into a chicken maven and published author. Her narrative is a plume of inspiration, revealing how a single hatched egg evolved into a bustling hub for poultry enthusiasts. As we chat with Nikki, her devotion to animal care and education is palpable, reinforcing the essence of pursuing one's true calling. Join us as we celebrate the threads of social media that weave chicken keepers together during these unparalleled times, highlighting the importance of community and connectivity.

This episode is a treasure trove for budding chicken keepers and seasoned fowl friends alike. Nikki guides us through the essentials of starting your own flock, from thoughtful planning to selecting quality materials, and the candid work involved. While the chatter of TikTok's uncertain future clucks in the background, we emphasize the wisdom of spreading your wings across multiple social platforms. And as our conversation comes to a close, Nikki unveils her journey to authorship, sparked by a viral coop clip, reminding us that social media can be more than a showcase—it's a place to hatch connections and spread knowledge among like-hearted animal lovers. Don't miss this episode; it's sure to ruffle some feathers in the best way possible.

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This week's guest is Erica of Second Hen'd a 501 3c organization that rehomes "spent hens", ex battery laying hens. You can listen to Erica's more detailed episode here https://www.buzzsprout.com/1624426/episodes/12660584

Today we are focusing on an new support group for chicken keepers. Erica started a new support group, "Birds Of A Feather" for those who are needing advice, emotional support, a safe place to discuss the loss of a beloved pet chicken, and friendship. This group is FREE to all those who are in need.

When you lose a feathered friend, where can you turn for solace and understanding? Erica from Second Hen'd joins us to pull back the curtain on Birds of a Feather, a virtual sanctuary for those mourning their chickens, where the clucking of sympathetic hearts creates a tapestry of support and shared love for our avian companions. This episode is a tribute to the unspoken bonds we form with our pets, a space where laughter and tears over clucky antics and the inevitable goodbyes coexist, reflecting on the profound impact these creatures have on our lives.

Caring for chickens is no walk in the park; it's a road paved with ethical quandaries and DIY medical treatments when vets are miles away. We navigate the rough terrain of at-home bird care and the difficult decisions owners face when professional help is out of reach. From the limits of administering antibiotics to the painful choice of euthanasia, this conversation is an eye-opener to the realities and responsibilities that come with loving and caring for chickens as more than just livestock.

This heartfelt exchange also delves into the joys and sorrows of pet ownership, from the quirky behaviors that endear our chickens to us, to the heavy hearts we carry when they fall ill. We share stories of personal loss, like that of Eggie the chicken, whose resilience in the face of illness taught us about the depths of the human-animal bond. This episode isn't just a narrative; it's a journey through the emotional landscape of chicken lovers everywhere, a reminder of the legacies our feathered friends leave behind, and an invitation to a community that understands just how deep those claw prints in our hearts can be.


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“Where education fuels compassion.”