5 Spacing and Housing Guidelines for Livestock

As a farmer, you are no stranger to a host of problems that can arise from the job, from odor to pesticides to illnesses. If farmers don’t follow the best practices for managing their farms, these issues can become more of a common nuisance. To avoid these problems from arising, here are five spacing and housing guidelines for your livestock.

Spacing

Every animal has a different set of spacing needs and requirements for pasture and exercise yards, but there is no set rule you must follow. There are only suggestions. If you do not offer pasture, you must have an exercise yard, adequate feed, and a manure management plan.

If you offer pasture, the number of livestock it can hold depends on the environment and fertility of the soil. Farmers must ensure their cows do not overgraze a particular area, which is why many will implement rotational grazing.

Rotational Graze

Rotational grazing allows cows to graze down the pasture in a specific area and then move into a new area with high grass. When the cows move into a new area to graze, this allows the previous pasture time to grow back. You can rotate your cattle back in when the grass grows back. Rotational grazing helps prevent internal parasites and overgrazing and can support more animals than other stock systems.

Housing

We can only control animals so much. If they want to move, they will. Moreover, if you install rotational grazing, you must have a portable livestock shelter. At Palouse Ranches, we have high-quality, custom-built shelters that are incredibly durable, easy to maintain, and easy to transfer. We also offer free delivery up to 150 miles out from our locations. Call us today! We are happy to answer any of your questions about our unique shelters.

Air Quality

Air quality is a vital aspect you much consider when spacing and housing your livestock. Your animals must have open ventilation, either naturally or with fans, and air inlets that provide proper circulation. A farm without good air quality can lead to a buildup of natural respiratory gasses that can aggravate animal lungs and lead to illness or death.

Weather

Many farmers tend to overly focus on frigid weather as a time when their animals need sufficient shelter. However, an animal’s coat can provide sufficient protection in degrees that humans could not handle. Hotter seasons like summer are significantly more important for farmers to provide shelter, as some animals like rabbits and pigs can easily get heat stroke. Ensure your livestock has adequate shelter, shaded areas, and ventilation.