Beginners' Tips for Keeping Farm Animals
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Keeping a farm is a big feat; you have to be dedicated and committed to the cause, and there seems to be less and less interest and information out there for people who haven’t inherited their farm space or are only just getting into the industry.
However, if you’re someone who’s looking to get into farming, simply because you have a passion for it and a bit of land to make it happen, you’re going to need to focus on gathering together as much information as possible in this early stage.
You’re going to be caring for real life animals that need to come to trust and love you, and that takes a lot of time and effort! So, in the interests of ensuring your future livestock have a good time on your smallholding, here are some things you definitely need to know before you bring anything home.
Know Your Animal
The first thing to understand is the animal you’re planning to keep; if you want to keep sheep, you need to know how to care for them, and the same goes for cows and chickens. Read up on basic animal care for each and every animal you’re planning to keep one day.
Ask yourself some questions to properly quiz yourself: What does a chicken need that a sheep wouldn’t? Or even more closely, how does the care for chickens and ducks differ? How much room, or attention, do each of the above species need, and can you match up?
Know Your Basic Handling
Basic handling is all about keeping your animals healthy at a basic, essential level. Vaccinating them, especially if they’re part of a flock, as well as exhibiting the right behaviors and actions towards them as well. You need to know how to stay calm to keep them calm, particularly when they’re an animal known for using their horns…
Indeed, knowing your basic handling counts in terms of your equipment too. You’re going to need good agricultural scale maintenance, for example, if you’re looking to both save money and keep your animals at a healthy weight, especially during colder months.
Know Your Legislation
Finally, you’re going to need to keep in mind the legislation regarding animal welfare in your area. Depending on where you are in the world, this is going to differ, and be sure to immediately consult your local or national government website - they’ll have the most relevant, up to date information for you.
Of course, aside from this, you can follow the 5 welfare needs framework to set up a good living environment for your animals. It goes as follows: environment, diet, behavior, health, and companionship. These are generally regarded as the basic needs of all animals, and should be kept in mind when designing your animal’s living space and any enrichment you’re planning to provide.
Keeping farm animals can seem complicated at first, but the more you get into the swing of it, the easier you’ll find farm care.
