Shiver me timbers - it's cold

In case you hadn’t noticed – winter has arrived. It doesn’t matter how you look it or how wistfully you hold your mouth, summer is behind us.  Using feed wisely and without waste should be your priority over the coming months – as will be protecting paddocks from pugging. 

If your horse is shivering he is cold. A good winter cover is essential.

Keep a close eye on your feed budget so you can stay in balance with your stock as they advance through the season.

Pregnant animals should be on maintenance feed but don’t let them lose too much weight or condition.  Good quality silage is the best source of energy.

Sheep nuts can be an expensive form of feed but do deliver all the nutrients needed in an emergency. Keep a close eye on your ewes (try saying that fast after a glass of chardonnay!) so you can make decisions about those that are barren or late lambing.  If you used a ram harness this should be a fairly straightforward job.

Check mature ewes for dagging and crutching – and as with any who suffer from chronic footrot seriously consider getting rid of the worst ones.  Dags and footrot tend to be inherited and long term you want to try and get it out of your flock.

If your flock is on twice-a-year shearing wait until at least 6 weeks after the rams went out. If you are winter shearing, make sure you have shelter or a shed if the weather is really bad.

If scouring is an issue with any of your stock, talk to your vet about what to do next.  You do not want to build up a drench resistance in your animals by drenching when it’s not necessary or by using the wrong product.

It’s important to watch closely over young stock over winter to make sure they keep growing, even if it is somewhat slower than in the warmer time. 

If you have stock not thriving have a chat with your vet and consider doing some blood tests (on the stock, not the vet).

Although facial eczema should be gone by now – don’t just assume it is, as a sudden case can take you unawares (see pg 3).

Check copper levels in stock and  if they need supplements get good advice on the best way to do this.  Remember clover is an important provider of copper and to wait for two weeks after zinc treatments before starting supplements. ALWAYS ADHERE TO YOUR VET’S ADVICE ON COPPER SUPPLEMENTS.

Don’t forget to ensure your stock is TB tested and clearly identified with the correct tags.

Make sure your goats are getting plenty of hay and roughage and have good shelter from the wind and rain.  They don’t have the same fat layer sheep do and will feel the winter temperatures quickly.  Don’t forget they love to climb on their shelter – so give them a flat roof.

It probably is a good idea to increase the grain portion of your horse’s diet and don’t clip his coat.  If his coat is dirty and matted he won’t be getting much protection against the elements though, so make sure you groom him regularly.  If your horse is shivering – HE’S COLD!  Do something NOW!  Clothes may seem excessive for dogs, but a good winter cover for a horse is vital if you live in an area that is likely to get very cold and wet.

Keep a very close eye on his hooves – thrush can be a problem during winter as it thrives in wet, dirty conditions.

Now on to the chook pen.  Ensure the pen is weather proof and vermin proof – remember ferrets and rats will be looking for easy food this winter too.   Like the rest of your stock – keep an eye on parasites, especially worms (and if you’re feeling sceptical turn to page 3 and read what happened to our Maungataroto correspondent!)

You may find you have to forgo your morning scrambled eggs for a while during winter as it is not uncommon for hens to slow or stop laying.

When you’ve done all that you can turn your gummies upside down to dry and head for the fireside with a cuppa and the latest issue of Rural Living.