Wednesday, January 2, 2013

What's Cooking?

I know I have been posting a lot about the freezing temperatures, but besides the fact that we love our animals, part of our building a successful small farm hinges on the livestock we care for. No livestock equals no eggs, cheese, soap, etc. On our shoe-string budget, we cannot afford losses that can be prevented.

In our normal schedule, we feed and water the animals mornings between 7am-8am and afternoons between 3pm-4pm and Sean checks everyone again in the evening between 8pm-9pm. Today, (and for as long as this cold front is visiting us) we also check on them around noon time. When the temperatures are near zero outside, it doesn't take long for there to be a problem. Thankfully, everyone is handling the cold okay, so far.

Neither Sean nor I have any kind of veterinary schooling. Sean worked in a pet store for years and gained some knowledge in caring for small animals, like bunnies, chinchillas, lizards, and exotic birds on the job. I have some training for CPR and advanced first aid for people. Any knowledge we think we have comes from our own experience in caring for animals and advice we have been given from other farmers, our vet, and reading on subjects in books and online. Despite this limited formal knowledge, we firmly believe that animals, like humans do best when they get the vitamins and minerals they need from food sources instead of medicines, injections, or pills. To stretch that a little, we also believe that many illnesses and injuries can be avoided by a good diet. This is especially true under adverse conditions, like enduring freezing weather for days at a time or animals undergoing the stress of pregnancy on their body. With these thoughts in mind, the animals all receive special rations on days like this, in addition to their regular fare.


Oatmeal alone is not a sufficient source of nutrition for poultry, but it can be a very good supplement, especially cooked and fed on cold days. Oatmeal provides many of the nutrients necessary for their growth and development. Oatmeal contains a number of B vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin and choline) and other nutrients including: calcium, copper, magnesium, fluorine, zinc, and iron. Though our feathered friends cannot tell us so, I imagine that warm oatmeal feels good in their bellies, much like a warm mug of cocoa does to us on a cold day. And, the simple act of digestion can do much to assist in keeping their core temperature elevated. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farmers Bulletin states that baby chickens that receive a healthy amount of oats in their diet will grow stronger and healthier than baby chickens without the oats. I add apple slices, mashed banana and molasses to the oatmeal. Our flock loves it.




 
Our Vietnamese Pot Belly Pigs are Mainers, born and bred, but they do not like this weather at all. And, who can blame them? Of all the animals on the homestead, they are the least equipped to handle it. They have very little hair or fur covering their bodies and absolutely no feathers to help keep themselves warm. The best they can do, is dig under their pile of hay and snuggle together for warmth. It works for them, but I am certain that they are dreaming of spring each night. In addition to their daily grain ration, on days like today, they will also get some fruits and vegetables. Today, they enjoyed pieces of pineapple, some chopped up banana and broccoli heads. I considered giving them some oatmeal, too, but won't until I do some investigating into it's suitability. Contrary to popular beliefs, pigs shouldn't eat all the household's left overs. Avocados, chocolates, tomatoes, and potatoes can all be toxic to pot belly pigs.

I tried to capture a good photograph of the girls in their hay, but as soon as they heard me in their stall, they emerged from their pile of hay, eager for what treats I had with me. This was as close as I could come. Ebony is still quite covered. Patches nearly ran to me as fast as her stubby little legs would carry her.



 
  

The herd of goats (and Jasmine) are handled a little differently than the other animals. For one thing, too much grain can cause very serious rumen problems that can, in themselves, be fatal. For another, Jasmine is not only wearing her own thick winter coat, but Meaghan has her wearing a winter coat. So, while we do increase their grain rations on cold days, it is not increased by much. It is much more important to have all the hay they can eat and fresh water available to them. The act of chewing their cud and digesting their hay does much to keep their core temperatures up. Also, as herd animals, they share body heat by standing close or laying down together in their bedding. Their barn stalls are noticeably warmer than the outside air.
 
Ellie, who is still weaker than the others (and living in the basement), is getting an addition of fresh greens (kale, collards, or mustard), with broccoli, and banana every afternoon. The extra B vitamins, iron, and potassium seem to be having a positive effect on her rebuilding weak muscles and gaining in health. I posted about the nutritional benefits of these veggies In This Post and In This One, so I will spare you the repeating of it.
 
It is nearing 4 pm and is time for us to make the afternoon rounds. Thanks for visiting with us. We're really happy you came by.
 
If you live in colder climates, what extra precautions do you take to keep your animals healthy?
 
Sean and Sonja ♥
 
This post also shared with Tilly's Nest & Wildcrafting Wednesday & a fabulous new hop:

 
The Self Sufficient HomeAcre

14 comments:

  1. Glad everyone is doing good and enjoying their treats!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Us, too! We just saw on the news that it is supposed to be -15 to 0 degrees overnight with wind chills that make it feel like -30 degrees. YIKES!

      Delete
  2. Love your suggestions. I am going to try making some oatmeal for my ladies tomorrow. It's fun seeing your chickens outside on the snow. So far, mine are refusing to step outside onto the bizarre white stuff!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I agree that it is always better to get nutrients to animals (and humans) through food rather than medicine. Of course sometimes medicine is necessary though and I'm very grateful for it.

    I just gave my chickens (and Duchess) some oatmeal this morning! It has been cold here, but not as cold as where you guys are! We've been in the lower 20s. I bet that would feel like a heat wave for you haha.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. After re-reading my post, I probably should edit it to reflect that we, too belive in using medicine when it is ncessary- don't want to give the wrong idea about that!

      I would take 20 degrees, please! By the end of next week we should be up in the 30's again it looks like. We're just holding out until then. I just feel so badly for the animals in the barn & coop, but I remind myself that they have good fur coats and lots of feathers. I think they will be happy with the warmer weather, though! :)

      Delete
    2. I don't think it needs an edit - it didn't come across that way at all! I know how well you take care of your animals and if one needed medicine I know you'd be running to the nearest vet to get them some :)

      Delete
  4. Enjoyed the post and learning about ways to pamper the livestock through the cold days. We don't get nearly as cold weather as you do but it is always fun to pamper the barn family. Especially now that the weeds are gone, I am always looking for good ideas to treat the poultry with. - Janet

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks for sharing this on Wildcrafting Wednesdays! Great info!
    I also would love to have you share your posts on The HomeAcre Hop!
    http://www.theselfsufficienthomeacre.com/2013/01/the-homeacre-hop-2.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I would be glad to, but there seems to be a problem with the link? I will keep trying, though! Thanks for the invitation. :)

      Delete
    2. Apparently there has been a problem with Linky tools, but it seems to be working now! Thanks for your patience!

      Delete
  6. Great post. I give our chickens warm oatmeal also in the winter with whatever else looks interesting that I can add to it. Lisa/Fresh Eggs Daily www.fresh-eggs-daily.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. My chickens would love to come live with your :) They have been enjoying the cracked corn I am giving as a treat. It gives them more heat energy...good thing right now.

    Thanks so much for sharing this on The HomeAcre Hop! I can't wait to see what you have in store for us next week! And thanks a bunch for helping spread the word...it is so appreciated!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Just found you! I will be enjoying coming here. We have a 80 acre farm that we will be inheriting this month! So excited. It has been real cold here in Kansas. We give our chickens warm water and it helps keep the production up. Thank you on the invo on the oatmeal......I have a pot on the stove cooking right now. Sweet man and I thought it smelled good so we will be taking out a cup of each of us.

    Blessings and so nice to have found your blog.
    Linda

    ReplyDelete
  9. I keep a small flock of urban chickens, 12, here in Eagle River Alaska. I also feed my girls warm oats a few times a week when it is really cold. We are above 0 now so I and the girls are really happy about that. I have an insulated coop and an oil pan heater under a paver brick that I set my waterer on to keep it from freezing. Last month when the temps were -20 I did put in a heat lamp over the water dish to help keep the water from freezing solid. Lots of straw and pine shavings in the coop and covered run.

    Found your blog from Fresh Eggs Daily on facebook. Love it.

    ReplyDelete