Farms rely heavily on their animals to produce goods. Therefore, the health of your livestock is important, especially when many animals are constantly interacting with each other inside confined spaces.
To ensure your farm animals are healthy and happy, and to avoid problems such as sickness, downtime, and even death, here are five ways to ensure your farm animals are healthy. Consistency is key, and your farm animals deserve good consistent treatment and consideration.
Keep Them in a Safe Space
Farm animals need to stay active, which means you should not have them confined most of the day, unless they’re sick or giving birth. Keep livestock in a dry and protected place where they can shelter from intense weather and possible threats. An area where they can get protection 24 hours a day, even when you are not watching, is ideal for their development.
Maintain Their Hygiene
Hooves protect your farm animals’ feet from exterior threats and possible danger. Cleaning and maintaining their hooves will make a big difference in the animals’ lives. Trim and balance their hooves once a month and check for possible infections or cuts to keep injuries from escalating and possibly infecting other animals.
Track Their Weight
Weight is a simple and quick way to analyze if an animal is not getting enough food or if their mix of grains unsuitable. Industrial livestock scales are essential for any farm because they provide accurate information on an animal’s weight development. Depending on the size of your farm and the number of animals you own, you should consider a portable or a permanent livestock scale to best track their weight and keep them healthy.
Give Them Their Necessary Shots
Farm animals, like humans, have a certain disposition to viruses and bacteria that could damage their health and infect every animal on your farm. To keep your farm animals healthy, you must give them their essential shots to prevent stomach or respiratory infections. A professional and specialized veterinarian can help you determine which vaccines they need and their frequency.
Show Them Love
Animals react best to positive stimuli such as a gentle tone of voice, open and friendly body language, and loving contact. Showing your animals that you care for them regardless of the outcome will keep them healthy and more engaged. Domestic farm animals have special characteristics, where most are mild and inoffensive; treating them right will develop a greater bond and have positive impact on everyone.
