It is officially fall and this means many state fairs have just finished, are in progress, or will be held in the near future. As exciting, exhausting and fun as state fair can be, the most exciting part may be the thought of new livestock projects arriving soon after the state fair is over. This also means it is time to prepare for those new projects.
The most important things to do before new project animals arrive is clean. I mean clean everything from pens to tack. The germs from last year's animals are not the first thing your new animals need to be introduced to.
Clean out and sanitize pens. Make sure all old manure, feed, and bedding is removed. If you have the space, compost it for your own use in gardens and flowerbeds, or allow someone else to come pick it up for compost. If you have animals on solid surfaces, like pigs on concrete, wash and rinse off all the surfaces with soap and water. You can go the extra step and sanitize the pens. While soap and water do take care of a lot of germs, sanitizers get more of them. You can use cleaners like bleach, Lysol® or chlorhexidine diacetate on most solid surface like concrete, wood and metal, but be careful as these products may discolor surfaces or rust metal. They can also be harmful to people and animals, so follow the label directions and wear the suggested safety gear. For sand, and dirt pens, other cleaning agents can be used. Lime, in the form of quicklime or hydrated lime, can be used to sanitize ground by raising the pH level high enough germs cannot live. After pens are all cleaned and sanitized, do not go in them until you are ready to put you new animals in their pen.
Next to clean are all the feeders and waterers your livestock use. If they are part of the pen, they should have been cleaned with the pen. Most are not permanent parts of the pen and can be removed and cleaned. These items can be cleaned the with soap and water as well. Hot soapy water is the best to clean with, but most of us do not have hot water in the barn. Get a bucket full of hot water from the house to take to the pens and use. If feeders and waterers are small enough, like poultry and small animal feeders, run them through the dish washer (but ask your parents first before you do). Should you also use a sanitizer on these items, make sure to follow the directions to remove any residue that may make you new animals sick.
I encourage youth to take the time to clean things we do not think about cleaning, tack. Tack can harbor some germs, but more importantly, it has been used and needs a good cleaning to start the next project year. Wipe down and condition all those leather halters and leads. Wash the nylon halters and leads, combs, brushes and show sticks. Clean clippers and blades. Get the hair and dust out of the inside and out of the screens. Wipe down the outside of the clippers and lubricate moving parts. Clean off clipper blades and if they need to be sharpened, send them off now. Nothing is more frustrating than having dull blades when it is time to clip. Similarly, clean blowers as well. Get the dirt out of them and their screens and wipe down the outside of the blower. It is also important to check the plugs and cords on all electric equipment to make sure it is in good condition and is not a shock hazard.
I like to take the time before new animals arrive to repair, re-design and make improvements to livestock pens. The most important goal is to make sure pens are safe and secure. Drive in loose nails, trim wires, repair broken panels and fences, paint rusty surfaces and make sure nothing will scratch, cut or poke you animal or you. After a year of raising livestock in the pen, is there a better way to set it up? A minor re-design or rearrangement of things can make it easier and safer for you and your animals. Improving the pens is never a bad idea. Not many people will say their livestock pens and equipment are perfect. It may be as simple as painting a wood surface to protect it from rotting or a big project like installing new lights, fans, insulation in the walls, or an automatic water system. The goal of an improvement is to make conditions better for your animals and for you as well.
I hope your livestock projects went well last year and your new ones will bring you new experiences and fun. Get those pens in tip top shape to give the new animals the best home you can.
Scott Stinnett
Extension Associate
Kit Carson County
Golden Plains Area
Colorado State University Extension
