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Tag: shelter

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June 8, 2022 BY
IN Livestock Equipment News

Starting a Sheep Operation? We Have Livestock Equipment To Help You Get Set Up!

Are you new to managing a sheep operation? If you are unsure of what equipment you might need to acquire, we welcome you to browse our website and catalog.

Sheep’s Diet

The basics begin with providing your flock with the balanced diet their bodies need. And if your sheep live on a diet of dry hay and grain they will need to have access to more water in their diet. Tip: Sheep thrive on grains and forbs (like weeds but covered with alfalfa and clover). Grass and shrubs are useful too.

Water Supply

All animals need water to survive and thrive. Your sheep will need access to fresh, clean water, preferably water that is still (versus flowing). You can use buckets or other types of automatic waterers. You’ll also need to rinse out their water container regularly to keep it fresh and clean. Water should be kept in the shade during the hotter summer months. Your sheep’s water supply should be fenced off from nearby streams and other natural water sources to help control what they are ingesting. How much water does your sheep need? This depends on the following factors:

  • The animal’s weight
  • The ewe is lactating
  • What they are being bred/raised for
  • Their environmental conditions

If your sheep don’t appear to be drinking, it may be that they are fulfilling their water requirement through their foraging activities. Even so, it’s a good idea to give your animals access to clean, fresh water at all times if possible.

Sleep Shelter

Your adult sheep typically do well under various kinds of weather conditions, but it is wise to provide them with an area they can take shelter in, as well as dry out if needed and as a safe haven from harsh winds or sun conditions. Your sheep will more likely thrive under healthy conditions, such as making sure their bedding is soft to better absorb moisture.

Be sure to give your sheep the routine care they need, including regularly vaccinating your sheep herd and making sure their cloven hooves are properly trimmed for comfort when moving around. If you are currently looking for the right equipment to keep your operation running smoothly, we welcome you to browse our D-S Livestock Equipment. We supply everything from feeders to handling systems to show equipment. Call [phone] today if you have any questions.
March 18, 2016 BY
IN Livestock Equipment News

Raising Goats in Summer

If you’re considering raising an animal, goats are generally a good choice. Most farm animals, such as cows, chickens, sheep, or turkeys, are useful but few are as versatile as goats. As you probably know, goats can be used to produce milk, cheese, cashmere, meat, and can even be used as a pack animal.

However, if you intend to raise goats, there are a few important things you should understand. For instance, did you know that your goats will require specialized care during summer months. You see, goats are very vulnerable to heat stroke, which can affect their performance. In other words, if your goats are subject to heat stroke, their reproduction, dairy, and meat quality could suffer.

Goats are typically warmer than humans, usually having a temperature between 101.5 and 105. Still, we recommend cooling your goats on a hot day. You can do so by spraying our animal with a hose, though we recommend starting at the legs. You should also make sure your goats have sufficient shelter. This means you should have something with shade and good air flow. Typically, a tree or barn will work well.

Finally, you should know how to recognize the signs of dehydration, which can quickly lead to heat stroke. The first thing you can watch for is your animal’s breathing. Goats don’t sweat, however if they are breathing hard, they may be in danger.  Similarly, you should be able to pinch your goats skin. If the skin is slow to return to its original position, your animal could be dehydrated.

If you’re interested in learning more, please contact [practice_name] at [phone]. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
February 26, 2016 BY
IN Livestock Equipment News

Caring for Cattle in the Winter

Are you considering raising cattle? If so, do you know what you’ll do to care for your animals? For instance, did you know that you’ll have to make different preparations for your animals depending on the time of year and the weather. While this may seem obvious, do you know what preparations you’ll have to make during the seasons–particularly during winter? Unfortunately, winter is typically the hardest season for animals. To keep your cattle safe and healthy during the winter months, we recommend following a few simple steps.

Of course, the first thing you should know is that you should start preparing your animals for winter well before the cold season begins. It’s important to keep your animals healthy and strong before winter starts. However, there are also a few other things you should do. For example, please remember to provide a shelter that can offer your cows some safety. If you use a structure, you’ll need to provide clean bedding.

Similarly, you’ll need to provide food and water to your cow. Melted snow could help your cow meet some of their needs, but they’ll need a today of 14 gallons every day. Also, warmer water is easier for your cow to digest. Similarly, during the winter, your cattle will need more nutrients. You may want to try a combination of protein, vitamins, and minerals. You may want to consider supplements to meet your cattle’s needs–even if you have to adjust your normal feed schedule.

If you are interested in learning more, please feel free to contact [practice_name] at [phone]. We’re eager to hear from you soon!
August 28, 2015 BY
IN Livestock Equipment News

A Beginner’s Guide to Cattle Care

Are you thinking about raising cattle? Do you know where you should start? While the best way to learn how to deal with cattle is to work with then, there are a few places you can look to find a good start. We recommend speaking with someone experienced, reading livestock journals, and selecting the principles that can help you get started.  But to help you get started, we’re happy to offer you three important pieces of advice.

  1. Please make sure your cattle have a clean, plentiful water supply. Cows tend to drink about twelve gallons of water every day. During the winter, you may want to use a tank heater to prevent your water from freezing. Also, you may place copper sulfate in your water if you notice algae growing.
  2. Some people believe that is extremely important to build a shed or barn for their cattle, but all you really need is a windbreak. In reality, most cattle need no shelter at all. However, if you decide that a shelter is important, please make sure there are no drafts. If there are drafts, your shelter may hold moisture that can lead to health problems.
  3. Remember to provide your cattle with high-quality hay. Alfalfa is generally considered the best hay. Unfortunately, it is also the most expensive. However, if you decide to use alfalfa, please mix in timothy or other types of grass to protect your cattle from bloating.

If you are interested in learning more, please feel free to contact us soon. We are excited to hear from you soon!

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