Getting sheds and outhouses ready for the winter

It is important to have your sheds and outhouses ready for the winter months of housing livestock and storing feed. In these last days of summer, we forget how the winter evenings close in and the light goes early so jobs like these are best done when we can still work comfortably outside and not left till the sideways rain and howling winds make the task uncomfortable. By not leaving it to the last minute, you can plan for any repair jobs that might need doing.

Getting the housing ready

A power hose will make the job much easier (we stock some great ones at keen prices) and class at blasting muck and dirt from every nook and cranny of your outhouses. If you choose to hose down with water firs, remember to let it dry on the concrete before applying disinfectant. At the Dandy’s we have  a grand selection of disinfectant and cleaning products to add to the mix before you spray and this will help to keep the place spotless and prevent the spread of diseases. Check all your barriers and gates and do a spot of repairing if you need to. Check that your gutters and down pipes are cleaned out and unblocked. With the ferocious downpours we have endured over the past few months, there is a real risk of unwanted flooding of sheds. Check electric lighting and make sure you have a few spare bulbs on hand. Wash sat mats on a day when they will dry easily. Replace any damaged or cracked mats as they can harbour bacteria and cause problems later on. There is also a real danger of a beast injuring themselves on a broken mat or damaged cubicle.

The heavy rain of the past few months will have indicated if you have leaks in the roof. Thid is the time to get anything fixed as incoming rain can increase the moisture level when the animals are housed, and this hastens the spread of disease and bacteria. Finding these problems early will allow you find the right person to make those repairs and it is not always a good idea to climb the ladder yourself, especially if there is no one around to assist.
 

Water and meal troughs should be spotless, leak free and in good working condition. Make a list of the jobs that might need doing and of the equipment and products you might needs to buy in. Replacing meal and water money containers that have outlived their usefulness is money well spent. Especially if you make use of the great value at The Dandy’s selection of feed and water troughs. 
 

This year, the weather forced some farmers to house dairy cattle in the summer months as the ground was waterlogged and dangerous. Hopefully, the weather will be kind and farmers will be able to leave their animals on the land for as long as possible. The work increases when you house and stressed animals can contract diseases and parasites in the first few weeks of housing. Being prepared always reduces the possibility of setbacks. Getting the sheds and out houses ready early is common sense. So is buying your products at the lowest prices around. Our loyal repeat customers know good value when they see it.

Shop for your all your farm equipment with us here at The Dandy’s’ Derrynoose.