Farm & Flock— presented by Chicken Whisperer ® Year-Round Care
Seasonal Care for Your Animals
Keeping Flocks and Livestock Healthy Year-Round
By Jesse Miller, LVR Livestock Brands
Caring for a diverse group of animals on a hobby farm is rewarding, but it comes with many demands. Each season brings unique challenges in ensuring your herds and flocks remain healthy and productive. Season-specific management, including adjustments to feed and shelter, parasite control, nutrition and hydration, can significantly minimize health risks.
By integrating thoughtful planning, attention to detail and targeted practices for herds and flocks, you can create resilient, thriving animals that flourish all year.
Winter: Coping With the Cold
During the winter months, maintaining the wellbeing of hobby farm animals requires adjustments to daily routines and facilities. To help livestock withstand cold temperatures, increase high-energy feed rations to bolster body condition and minimize weight loss. In addition:
• Ensure ruminants, such as cattle, sheep, goats and buffalo, receive plenty of hay or silage. For poultry and pigs, provide complete feeds; balanced rations that supply all the protein, energy, vitamins and minerals they need to grow, stay healthy and produce without extra supplements.
• Access to unfrozen, clean water is crucial. Using heated buckets or troughs will help keep hydration levels up, as dehydration can prove fatal in cold weather. Watch for early signs such as lethargy, sunken eyes, dry gums or a noticeable drop in feed intake, which can all indicate an animal isn’ t getting enough water.
• Dry, insulated bedding in windbreaks or draft-free shelters is essential for keeping animals warm and comfortable. You should also regularly monitor for respiratory issues, frostbite or stress, especially in vulnerable young or older stock.
• For cattle, extra attention to higher-calorie diets, water supply and adequate shelter is vital to prevent cold stress and pneumonia throughout the season. Many farmers who have larger parcels of land often bring cattle closer to the barns during the winter, as it’ s easier to provide food and clean, unfrozen water during the cold winter months. To ensure you find all of the cattle, you should have a marking system, whether you use quality brands from a branding iron manufacturer or ear tags. Tattoos are not enough, as they are difficult to see from a distance.
Spring: Growth and Parasite Control
As winter gives way to spring, you will need to change the nutritional needs and treat for parasites faced by your livestock. Begin the season by gradually transitioning animals from stored feeds to fresh pasture, which helps reduce the risk of digestive upset from abrupt dietary changes. More tips for spring:
• With warming temperatures and increased moisture, parasite larvae become more active, so intensify fecal testing, targeted deworming and consider rotational grazing to keep parasite loads low.
14 AcreageLife January 2026 AcreageLife. com