herd health year around

Herd Heath Year Around

Each season brings special considerations for your herd health.  Planning ahead will assure your animals are in top shape for what is coming next.

Spring:  Spring is show and shearing season.  In January be sure you have all the items you need for the shows in one place and ready to put in the trailer. If you plan well in advance you won’t forget the important items like a water bucket and feed!  Your show kit should include:

  • Grooming tools for last minute touch up
  • Feed containers
  • Feed
  • Water Bucket
  • Electrolytes
  • Gate Straps
  • Number bolos
  • Emergency 1staide kit
  • Bale bag
  • Feed pans
  • Show halters and leads
  • Emergency stall cards
  • Animal records
  • Farm Banner
  • Business Cards and flyers
  • Stall mats and curtains

 

Be sure you have any health certificates required for the states you will be travelling thru and be sure your animals have a microchip prior to arrival at the show.

 

Spring is also shearing season.  Check out the other articles on this web site for information about shearing and setting up your barn for the most efficient shearing.  Be sure your shears are sharp and oiled and you have plenty of combs and cutters and well as bags and bins for collecting the fiber and a good sorting table.  If you need restraint for shearing your animals make sure  it is in good working order.  If you have volunteer helpers, be sure they are scheduled and ready for shearing day and don’t forget the tee shirt or mug for a special thank you gift at the end of the day!

During shearing is also a good time to do worming, vaccinating, and check over the general health of your animals.  Have wormers, needles, syringes and lice powder on hand as well as blood stop for the occasional nick.

 

Summer:  During the summer if is important to keep your animals cool and comfortable.  It is also often the birthing season so be sure the baby kit is well stocked and ready for the unexpected as well as the expected baby.  Keep electrolytes on hand for hot days and have plenty of shade available.  Most animals are on pasture in the summer so be sure to rotate fields to reduce parasites and preserve pastures.   If you plan to take any camping trips with your llamas have your packs clean and check them for wear.  Also be sure you have emergency 1st aid kits updated and no out of date products. Also be sure you have halters available for quick evacuation if you are in an area where fire might be a problem.

 

Fall:  Fall is generally a great time on the farm.  The babies are on the ground and cute as can be and it is time to prepare for winter months ahead.  This is a great time to do another round of worming as soon as the first frost has pasted so your animals go into the cold months with the best resistance to disease and cold.  Check the water supplies and be sure everything is secure to keep from freezing as you don’t want to spend the winter hauling water!  Stock up on top quality grass hay to last the winter (about ¾ ton per animal in most areas)

 

Winter:  During winter be sure to have electrolytes  available to avoid stress.   Also be sure your free  choice minerals are on hand and available for the animals.  You may want to give them an dose of ADEB12 paste to keep disease away!  Be sure animals have shelter from the wind, rain and snow and have blankets on hand for unseasonable cold or for sick animals.  Also be sure you have plenty of barn halters in case of emergency that may force evacuation.   You should also know where you will go if you have to evacuate!