Livestock farmers in the UK choose different times to bring their animals into winter housing. Some will leave them in fields until early in December. Other will be doing it at the start of this month. We want to have a closer look at the topic here to provide some tips. Then if you need to order any wormer, feed, bedding, or other products, you can buy from us.

Late grazing

The temptation for many people is to leave animals out on pastures as long as they can. However, while there may still be grass for grazing, it will be lower quality. This will gradually decline the later in the year it gets too. So, it is important to keep an eye on nutritional needs.

There are a couple of crucial things to think about here. Different animals come in at different times. Cattle tend to need to come in sooner due to their nutritional needs. They then generally remain in winter housing until April or May. Sheep can remain in the fields for longer, but need to come in for the worst of the winter cold.

It is also important to think about the type of ground. Soft wet ground can suffer excessive damage because of hooves. That in turn can result in delays to the grass growth and also affects the nutritional value. So, it can be best to bring in animals sooner and give the fields a proper rest.

Parasites

It is a good idea to think about treating animals for parasites when you are bringing them in for the winter. Keep in mind that they will be in closer proximity when they are in housing. So, it can be a good idea to treat them with wormer.

Type of housing

One of the most crucial things is to ensure you have the right housing for your animals. Sheep are generally easier. They may be content with a simple shelter as long as you provide protection from the prevailing wind. It can be better to keep cattle in proper buildings.

The most important thing here is to make sure the shelters or buildings have proper ventilation. Respiratory diseases are a major concern. That is why you shouldn’t use mouldy old buildings with no airflow.

Bedding

It is also important to choose the right kind of bedding for animals. Straw is still one of the best options because it can be highly absorbent. Other options can include dried bracken, woodchips, or even crumble from waste paper. Rubber mats can be a good option for adult cattle.

Feeding

Finally, you need to ensure you feed the animals properly while they are in winter housing. The bulk of the animals’ diets should be hay or silage. You may then need supplements to account for all nutritional needs.

Do you want to order wormer and other products?

JS Hubbuck Ltd can help livestock producers with their animals. We offer a number of fantastic products to ensure they are happy and healthy. You can order from us with confidence; we have years of experience in the industry and prioritise quality with everything we sell.

So, whether you need wormer, feed, or other products, speak to us.