{"id":105615,"date":"2023-01-11T07:00:28","date_gmt":"2023-01-11T12:00:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hobbyfarms.com\/?p=105615"},"modified":"2023-01-09T12:24:47","modified_gmt":"2023-01-09T17:24:47","slug":"how-to-get-stay-ready-for-winter-on-the-farm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hobbyfarms.com\/how-to-get-stay-ready-for-winter-on-the-farm\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Get & Stay Ready For Winter On The Farm"},"content":{"rendered":"

Even though the afternoons continue to be dappled with warm sunshine, the evenings are getting shorter and nights continually colder. The urge to stock the farm pantry, fill the nesting boxes with straw and get some extra feed lined up for the cattle bubbles up inside, growing stronger with each passing winter day.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Each season brings its own set of struggles and blessings. The warmer months are meant to be spent digging through the dirt as we plant, water and weed our gardens. But autumn and winter allow the weary soul some time to slow down and turn thoughts to inside the home. <\/span><\/p>\n

Of course, chores will still need to be done and animals need to be cared for. But most of the time can be centered around indoor activities.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

A good habit to put into practice toward the middle of autumn is to make a list of tasks that need accomplished before the snow starts to fall. From putting the garden to rest to preparing the animals and stocking up on hay, it\u2019s best to take a walk around the yard and make notes of any odd jobs that need completed.
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A <\/span>variety of problems can be alleviated if proper <\/span>care and maintenance is done ahead of time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The same well-prepared mentality should be applied inside the home, from filling the pantry with shelf-stable goods in case a trip to town is unable to be made to loading up the wood racks with firewood earlier in the year. Learning what is needed to batten down the hatches before winter comes knocking on your door is helpful and practical and can often be fun as you check things off your list.<\/p>\n

Yard & Garden\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n

A variety of simple jobs can be tackled when you spend an afternoon cleaning up the yard. By now, most of the garden likely looks brown and dead. Large dead weeds can be pulled and removed, but a nice canopy of smaller dead plants can be left on the ground to rot and provide nutrients for the soil.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve noticed any signs of disease in plants during the previous season, remove and dispose them properly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Otherwise, the remaining dead plants can be left as they are. Throughout the winter, they\u2019ll act as a haven to a variety of small insects, from butterflies to bees. Foraging birds will also often visit your garden to look for hibernating insects on which to snack.<\/p>\n

If your soil needs amended, fall is also a good time to go ahead and add any supplements or fertilizer (such as manure), so that it can soak in and mellow over the next few months. If it\u2019s not too dry, tree limbs and debris can be piled up and burned in a brush pile (of course, following any local ordinances).\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

During the busy summer season, it\u2019s easy for items to be scattered around and left in the garden or near where a project is being completed. Tools should be rounded up and put in their proper places.<\/p>\n

Axes and ice picks for breaking ice, pitchforks for hauling straw or hay, snow shovels, heat lamps (and extra bulbs) to put with poultry, extra extension cords, etc. should all be put in easy-access locations. That way you won\u2019t have to hunt for them later when needed.<\/p>\n

Hoes and rakes can be cleaned off, sharpened (if needed) and tucked away in storage. Garden hoses should be emptied of any remaining water to avoid freezing and splitting in cold temperatures, then coiled away in the shed.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Some perennial plants (whether in the garden, orchard or flowerbeds) can also be carefully cut back during the fall, although it\u2019ll depend on the individual plant, as some do better if pruned in <\/span>the spring. Perennials that flower and have dried seedheads on them can be left over the winter as a farm ood source for foraging birds and wildlife.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"winter
Ashleigh Krispense<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If you have bulbs planted around the homestead, autumn is also a good time to dig them up. They can be separated and dried for a period before being carefully packed in lightly moistened sawdust and stored in a dry, dark area such as a basement.<\/p>\n

After the garden is cleaned up and everything is stored away, write a review of how things did the last season. If you don\u2019t keep a journal already, note the things that grew well, what didn\u2019t thrive, what varieties you might try next year, etc. Even if you think you\u2019ll remember things next spring, you might be surprised how a few months can make you forget!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Poultry Coops<\/b><\/h2>\n

Sheds should be checked for any signs of disrepair. Broken or missing windows can be replaced and sealed with caulk. Drafts should be closed while keeping in mind a means of proper ventilation. This will be especially important in smaller buildings such as the chicken coop.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re questioning how much ammonia<\/a> has built up already inside a coop, do a quick sniff test. Lean over within 10 to 12 inches of the floor (around the height of your chickens), and give it a sniff. If your eyes and nose begin to burn, then the ammonia level is already too high and you\u2019ll need to clean it and provide a fresh layer of bedding. <\/span><\/p>\n

Even if you don\u2019t have a problem with ammonia level, consider cleaning out and disinfecting the coop again in the fall.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Some poultry-keepers prefer to implement the deep-litter method of bedding inside their coops as it can provide more insulation and a barrier between the poultry and cold temperatures outside. This offers thicker bedding on the floor, and as the soiled bedding is turned over and new bedding is added, the old bedding and droppings will decompose over time, producing some heat inside the coop.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Nesting boxes should also have new (or extra) material added to them. Roosts can be checked for any broken boards or problems that could cause chickens to start roosting on the floor where it\u2019s colder.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Waterers and feeders can be cleaned out and left to dry thoroughly in the sun before using again. If you use heat lamps in your coop, they should be checked to be in working order and extra bulbs can be purchased and stored away until needed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For your poultry, keep extra feed and grain on hand if you have a good way to store it away from moisture and pests. Consider purchasing a heavy-duty plastic trash can with a lid or even a plastic tote to premix the feed and supplements in, and then store it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Read more: Chickens are generally cold hardy, but you can help your flock stay comfortable when temperatures drop.<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Livestock<\/b><\/h2>\n

Farm livestock can generally handle winter temperatures better than people, if cared for properly. Body condition is especially important when entering the colder months.<\/p>\n

While it isn\u2019t the same for all cattle\u2014for instance, cows won\u2019t need grain but rather a protein supplement and plenty of good quality hay\u2014cattle such as feeder steers should be fed plenty of grain during the colder months to give more energy and generate body heat.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It isn\u2019t just a matter of feeding farm animals plenty of grain during the cold months but in the time leading up to winter. They should be fed enough to be in good body condition when entering winter, with enough fat to withstand colder temperatures comfortably.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Water is just as important on the farm during the winter as it is during the summer. While dehydration is a great danger in high temperatures, it\u2019s also a danger when frozen water isn\u2019t broken or fresh water quickly freezes over. If heated waterers are available, make sure to thoroughly check them over and see that they\u2019re in working condition.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The structures that your livestock inhabit are also important to give a look over. Check for drafts and any damaged areas to the building that might need repaired to help block the cold wind. Keep in mind that proper ventilation is necessary to avoid too much ammonia build-up and keep the air from becoming stagnate.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Broken or weak (sagging) fences generally need tended to quickly regardless of the season, but they can be especially important when there is a threat of cattle getting out in bitter cold weather or a snow storm. It\u2019s best to stay on top of them and mend problems before the weather turns nasty.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Other things to look at include:<\/p>\n