Gearing Up for Fair Season
For those getting started with FFA or 4H, welcoming a new animal to the farm is an exciting moment! But, it also comes with a few important responsibilities. To make sure your animals settle in and stay healthy, here are a few good tips to keep in mind before they arrive.
1. Keep Them Hydrated
After a long journey, the first thing your animals will need is water, and lots of it! It’s likely they’ve been traveling quite a ways to get to you, so make sure they have access to clean, fresh water right away. We like to add a little something extra — mixing Agrilabs Vitamins and Electrolytes into their water helps replace what they might’ve lost along the way and keeps them hydrated. Starting them off right makes all the difference.
2. Clean Their Pens Like You Mean It
Before your animals step foot in their new home, you want to make sure everything’s cleaned up and disinfected. Scrub down their buckets, feed troughs, gates, and all their accessories. A good trick is to use a mix of 1 ounce of chlorine bleach with 1 gallon of water as a disinfectant — it’s simple and effective. After cleaning, leave everything out in the sun to dry; the sun’s rays help with the disinfecting process, too! A clean space means a healthy start for your animals, and it’s much easier than dealing with illness later on.
3. Clean Those Water Tanks
Your water tanks might look fine, but give ‘em a good scrub before filling them up. Dirt and algae can build up over time, and your new animals deserve a fresh drink. Keeping the tanks clean helps make sure the water stays fresh and safe. It’s one of those small steps that goes a long way.
4. Feed and Bedding Ready
Don’t forget to have the right feed and fresh bedding waiting for them. Whether you’ve got a steer, pig, or goat on the way, they’ll need the right nutrition and a comfy spot to settle down. Have that feed ready to go, and lay down some fresh straw or shavings in their pen so they feel comfortable. A well-fed, well-rested animal is a healthy animal!
And remember, Tom’s Hay Farm is here to help! We’ve got you covered with top-quality hay, feed, straw, shavings, and everything else you need to get your animals settled in right. Just give us a holler — we’re always happy to lend a hand.
