nature farm life
October ON THE SMALLHOLDING
Tamsin Cooper is a smallholder and writer with a keen interest in animal behaviour and welfare By Tam s
in Coop er
www.goatwriter.com
THIS IS A GOOD MONTH TO GET READY FOR WINTER, ENSURING ANIMALS HAVE THE FOOD AND SHELTER THEY WILL NEED.
A
ll farm animals need protection from the elements, especially from wind and damp. Now is a good time to check for leaking roofs and draughts. Bedding must stay dry during winter months, as moisture encourages respiratory disease and hoof disorders.
tolerate closeness far better than goats and do not mind sheltering in close proximity. Goats and some chickens need their personal space, and dominant members may drive weaker animals out. For goats, partitions can be added to allow hiding space, and for chickens, extra perches. It is also good to check fences regularly, to make sure there are no weaknesses that might give way when animals push against them.
Chickens are generally cold-hardy, but they need a dry sheltered spot to maintain their body heat and avoid frostbite. An airy hut or barn with a perch serves them well. The roof needs to be Winter is always the rainproof to avoid toughest time for keeping Sheep tolerate closeness humidity building up animals fed and healthy. far better than goats and inside. Humid air You might want to think would condense on about selling any excess do not mind sheltering in chicken combs which animals now, so that you close proximity could freeze when have enough shelter and temperatures drop, supplies to keep the especially single combs. Vented space remaining herds in optimum health. above the chickens’ heads allows air to Water butts can help you to collect circulate without causing draughts. drinking water for animals, and these might need cleaning out after the summer Goats also need dry but well-ventilated so that stored water stays clean. shelters. Goat hooves are adapted to dry, rocky terrain, so they suffer from If you want to breed sheep or goats, now is infections if they are unable to let their feet a good time to introduce the male, so that dry out daily. Bedding needs to stay dry offspring are born in spring (five months whatever the weather. Although sheep are gestation). Next month will be a good time much hardier to damp, they appreciate an to breed pigs, as they gestate for just under open shelter where they can huddle four months. If you have just a few together in the worst weather. Sheep animals and you have got used to
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recognizing signs of oestrus, you may want to take your females to visit the males while they are on heat. I found this easy to do with goats, as they are demonstrative on heat and unconcerned by a temporary separation from the herd, as long as they are accompanied by their keeper. Sheep are more reluctant to leave the herd, so you may want to borrow a ram to service them, which is also more convenient for a larger herd of goats. Hens may also consider brooding, but it is best to dissuade them at this time, as young chicks are vulnerable to cold and damp. I dissuade my hens by keeping them in an empty concrete rabbit hutch (clapier) or run for 2–3 days. As it has nowhere to nest, the hormones that prompt broodiness switch off after a few days. Hens that have feather damage usually moult at this time in preparation for colder months. Not all hens moult every year and some moult more than others. Generally, it is better not to give them jumpers, as these can damage new feather growth. Unfortunately, some hens moult late and get caught quite naked by cold weather. They generally get by if they have access to shelter, straw-lined nests, and can huddle up with the flock.
