The most important thing to know to do with new livestock - Do Not Forget THIS Step!
Getting a new livestock addition on the homestead is always exciting! There are many things to consider during the buying process, and nothing is better than knowing you found that perfect new addition.
After figuring out housing needs, building/ buying the necessities, then it's off to pick up that new farm baby!
Have you ever stopped to think about what kind of damage bringing a sick animal onto your homestead could have?
Quarantine
Do not forget about this crucial step! Quarantining new livestock can prevent irreversible damage, loss, and devastation to your land or other livestock. Before putting them with your other animals or by themselves in a permanent area --> quarantine them in a secluded area for a minimum of ten days.
There are many illness' that are not apparent upon the initial overview, no matter how thorough it may be. Sometimes travel or stress alone can cause an otherwise healthy animals' immune system to take a dive. Quarantining is a good, simple procedure to have in place to protect yourself, livestock, and land.
How to Quarantine
Build temporary housing in an area farthest from your other animals, crops, and water source. While in quarantine check the animal over for parasites, monitor bowel movements, eating/ drinking habits, and any other anomalies that may occur.
Typically quarantine should be a minimum of 10 days and should last up to a 4-6 weeks. If, during this time, all observations indicate the animal is healthy then move them to their permanent location. If any anomalies DO occur provide treatment or seek vet care.
Depending on the illness decide if you can wait a time period between occupancy of the quarantine pen or if you need to move it for future emergencies. It's always good practice to remove livestock from the pasture at the first sign of illness.
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Really good info for anyone just getting into livestock. Sometimes I forget that "common sense" is not common for people that live a different lifestyle and I feel like sometimes we skip over important information assuming it is "common knowledge".