Livestock is an important part of your business and it is your responsibility that they are in perfect health to keep the business going. Caring for your livestock is not that difficult. How unbelievable it may sound, it is all about knowing the basics. Even for different animals, the basics are almost similar. So, brace up, and let’s get started.

Shelters

Never leave your livestock out in the night, you have to prepare a shelter for them to keep them warm during the nights. Frozen teats are one of the most common problems seen in animals, kept out on cold nights. Especially in the milk-producing farm animals such as pygmy goats, cows, and even pigs. This effects milk production and also the pain makes the animals more aggressive, and non-productive. Depending on the climate at your place, there are a variety of shelter types you can choose. People love barns & pole sheds, even fencing is needed. Whatever you choose, make sure to keep it dry and clean. Ventilation has to be good, it should not be cramped, they must have some space to walk, move, and sit.

Water

Animals that are being milked have more water requirements. Get to know the specie of the animal that you are from the animals for sale markets. That way you can even google things to know their water needs. When a milking animal has a good fill of water, they require less feeding.

Plus, the cherry on top, just like we humans water regulates their body temperature. But make sure, the water is not too cold, in winter, it is better to heat the water up a little bit. Water has to be clean. And prevent any risks of impaction or colic.

Nutrition

Food and supplements give them proper balanced nutrition. Make sure there is a right percentage of minerals, vitamins, proteins in their diet. In winters animals tend to increase their feed, as the lower the temperature they will burn more calories to maintain the body heat.

Manure and Mud

More than required mud and manure are not good for the livestock, especially if it rains often in your area and it gets chilly in the night. They can even fall sick, you must control the build-up of manure and mud mixture. Use sand, gravel, and wood chips, or even tiles across the shelter for the flooring.