Fall Livestock Preparation

How much hay and feed will I need for winter?

Estimate winter feed before you run short. Ask your veterinarian or extension office how much forage your species needs per animal, adjusted for body size, cold weather and condition. Quality matters as much as quantity.

Buy early if you can, because prices and availability can tighten as winter approaches. Ask about hay testing through your extension office, which helps you judge whether forage meets your animals' needs.

Allow a cushion for a long winter or a late spring. Running out is stressful for animals and expensive for you.

• Count animals and estimate daily needs with expert help
• Test hay if possible
• Add a safety margin for long winters
• Store feed dry and off the ground

What shelter checks should I do before cold weather?

Walk through every barn, shed and coop for leaks, drafts, broken latches and wet bedding. Animals need dry shelter out of the wind, but also need ventilation, since trapped moisture and ammonia cause problems.

Repair roofs, doors and windbreaks while the weather is good. Clean and stock bedding supplies so you are ready for the first cold snap.

Think about security too. Shorter days mean predators move closer to buildings, so check that latches, wire and doors hold up and plan lighting that is safe and properly installed.

• Patch roof leaks and wall gaps at animal height
• Replace worn or soaked bedding
• Check door latches and predator-proof wire
• Keep walkways free of ice-prone puddles

How do I handle water in cold weather?

Frozen water is among the most common winter problems. Plan for it now with insulated or heated waterers rated for animal use, and have a backup plan for power loss. Electrical work around animals should be done safely, using proper equipment and a qualified electrician when needed.

Check water several times a day on freezing days. Dehydration can occur quickly when animals cannot drink, and animals often reduce feed intake when water is poor.

If your property has no power near the animals, think now about how you would supply water without it, since a hard freeze can take out a lot of systems at once.

• Install and test heated or insulated waterers
• Use safe, properly grounded electrical setups
• Keep spare buckets available
• Know where you can haul water if lines freeze

What health tasks belong in fall?

Fall is a good time to call your veterinarian for a herd or flock health review. Ask about vaccinations, parasite testing, hoof and dental needs and body condition going into winter. Decisions about treatments belong to your vet.

Evaluate each animal. Thin, old or ill animals may need extra attention before winter. Consider whether your numbers match your feed and housing, and whether it makes sense to reduce numbers before winter.

Ask your vet whether any animals should be culled or sold before winter for health or feed reasons. These are hard choices and a professional opinion helps you make them calmly.

• Ask about vaccination and parasite timing
• Check feet, teeth and body condition
• Update health records after each visit

How do I prepare pasture and fences for the season?

Give pastures a rest if you can, since overgrazed fields recover slowly. Move animals off wet fields before they churn into mud. Plan where you will feed hay so manure and waste do not concentrate near water.

Repair fences before snow hides problems, and keep gates in good working order. Check electric fences for vegetation that can short them out, and remove fallen branches.

Plan a winter feeding area with firm footing, such as gravel over fabric, so animals are not standing in mud. Your NRCS office can explain options for heavy use areas.

What biosecurity and record tasks should I handle?

If you plan to buy or sell animals, remember that health testing, movement and sale rules vary by state and species. Contact your state veterinarian's office or extension service to learn what applies, and keep records of purchases, health work and movements.

Keep newcomers separated from your herd or flock for the time your veterinarian advises. Clean boots and equipment between groups, and keep wild birds away from poultry feed and water where possible.

Check any sale, show or testing paperwork well ahead of time, because lab results and certificates can take time to arrive.

How do I prepare for emergencies?

Write an emergency plan that covers power loss, storms and the need to evacuate or shelter animals. Include contact numbers, feed and water supplies, equipment such as flashlights and spare batteries, and a plan for who helps.

Ready.gov and your county emergency management office offer planning materials, and many counties have animal response programs. Ask what is available locally.

Keep a small kit by the barn door with a headlamp, gloves, spare ropes and halters, and a printed list of emergency numbers that does not depend on your phone.

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Homestead & Small Farm Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.