Winter Preparation – Animal Health
Choosing animal health as a priority
The list of tasks that need to be completed on the homestead before winter hits can be daunting and is a few months long process as you head into fall. However, when prioritizing this list, I really feel like animals need to be close to, if not at the top. This is for many reasons, but for me, it’s because they rely on us, their systems need to be healthy as their bodies work harder in the cold temperatures, and I do not want to be trying to wrestle a bratty heifer on solid ice!
Convivence of planning
This also gives me an opportunity to handle all of their annual health tests, medications, breeding choices, culling and butchering plans, and grooming all at the same time before we head into a long, cold, rainy, muddy, snowing or icy winter. Now many of the items on this checklist should be addressed several times throughout the year, such as animal health checks. But with having everyone corralled near the barn or able to run through the chute, you can make plans for your veterinarian, brand inspector, or artificial insemination technician to be at your homestead at the same time.
Disclaimer
I am not a veterinarian; however, I have been farming on some level my entire life and have my Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science. This being said, always decide on a livestock health protocol with your veterinarian. Also, everyone’s protocol is going to be different depending on your farm and whether you are organic, conventional, and whether your livestock are pets or for meat.
Understanding the “what and why” of Animal Health
Animal husbandry comes with a responsibility of caring for these animals with respect. I view this respect as keeping their pens, pastures, and facilities clean and safe, proper preventative practices against diseases and injuries, and the maintaining of proper nutrition. There is always more, but these are the things I am focusing on.
Preparedness Steps to Consider
Worming (Internal Parasites)
The control of internal parasites is all about prevention. Sometimes prevention is maintenance of facilities and sometimes its using medications.
Winter Preparedness Protocol:
- Worm with a commercial wormer (ivermectin, noromectin, etc.)
- Be sure to check withdrawal dates on the medication for any animals that are being milked or slaughtered for consumption
- Wormer can be purchased as an injectable, oral drench, feed, or pour over
- There are few organic options except prevention, this publication on Organic Internal Parasite Control from the USDA was very informative.
Vaccinations
Not all farms choose to vaccinate their animals, however, many do out of choice or because it is required by the markets in which they sell animals or animal products to. There are many vaccines that are required to have yearly boosters and often in the fall is the perfect time to round up spring/summer calves for some of their first round of shots. Confirm with your veterinarian what vaccine protocol is right for you.
Suggestions
- Horse
- EEE (Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis) or WEE (Wester Equine Encephalomyelitis)
- WNV (West Wile Virus)
- Beef and Dairy Cow
- 7 or 8-way clostridial
- IBR/BVD/P13/BRSV
- Brucellosis
- Leptospirosis
- Vibriosis
- Sheep & Goats
- C, D, & T (Clostridium perfringens Types C and D and Clostridium tetani)
- There are other regional vaccines to consider, such as one for sore mouth
Animal Health Checks
This is something that should be done regularly, if not monthly, at least quarterly. I feel that the fall one is extremely important because it allows you to address any health or nutritional issues before the weather requires the animal to use so much of its energy for staying warm.
Assess each part of the animals anatomy.
- Body condition score is a great place to start. Here is a great guide on Body Condition Scoring from the University of Idaho Extension.
- Breathing
- Manure
- Stance and feet
- Mouth
- Eyes
- Ears
- Coat, skin, feathers, and wool
- Udders
For a full description of how to complete an animal health checks and what you are looking for, click here to purchase my Homestead Winter Preparedness – Animal Health Guide.
Annual Blood Draws
Some animals require yearly blood draws to test for various diseases. I like to do mine at this time, especially because some require a vet or might help determine which animals I will be breeding or culling each fall.
Grooming
This is a great time to brush out animals, spray for flies, clean feet, and anything else that needs to happen. This however, is not the time for trimming, shearing, or shaving. The animals need the extra fur for warmth unless it needs to be trimmed for wound care or if they are a show animal that will be housed in a barn or wear a blanket.
Breeding and Culling
I will be covering this in a future post. However, this information is an excellent way to make these choices. Also, if you have larger herds, this is a great time to sort out the animals for these purposes.
Making Time
I know this sounds like a lot of work, but once your eye is trained it becomes second nature. Just make sure you have all of the needed supplies and contact any of the additional parties (veterinarian, farrier, your neighbor for an extra hand that might need to be there in advance. The amount of time and money saved every year through proper herd management is beyond what you can even begin to calculate.
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