Observing Livestock - from Organic Livestock Handbook

[Guest guest]

For Christmas, my husband gave me a copy of

 

Organic Livestock Handbook

by Canadian Organic Growers

Edited by Anne Macey

 

ISBN 0-9695851-2-8

 

Publisher Canadian Organic Growers Inc.

www.cog.ca

 

This is a wonderful book, full of answers to things I've often wondered about,

like how to make an herbal teat-dip.

 

I like the no-cost methods for promoting herd health. Below is a segment on

"Observation" of livestock. In a separate text, is "How to Ween Yourself from

the Vet."

 

your servant,

 

Hare Krsna dasi

 

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"I have found that failure to look carefully or act promptly on what I see

almost invariably results in unnecessary trouble."

-- Sedley Sweeney [author of "Looking at Livestock"]

 

"I think one thing we sometimes forget is the importance of the farmer

observing

and empathizing with his animals. Systems that require a bit of time spent

daily with the animal (like rotational grazing or feding and cleaning-out

routines) allow time for observation and with a perceptive farmer can permit

early identification of problems and timely management changes."

-- Tony McQuail

 

An "eye for the stock" is often second nature to those who have been born and

raised on a farm with livestock but those new to animal husbandry may have to

train the eye to see.

 

Check your animals once a day. Variations then become apparent and enable you

to tackle problems before they become serious concerns. For the less

experienced here are some tips from the soil Association's booklet *Looking at

Livestock.*

 

* Are they all there? Who's missing?

 

* How do they stand? Signs of trouble inbclude arched back, drooping ears,

lack

of interest, drooping head, fretting, one leg not bearing weight.

 

* How are their udders? Is the bag soft, hard, lumpy? Is the ewe lame (sign

of

mastitis)?

 

* How do they feel? Is the skin smooth, are there lumps, are there ticks? Is

there heat in a joint or hoof?

 

* How is their dung or urine? Is the animal scouring, constipated?

 

* How do they run? Is anyone lame? Is one slower than the rest?

 

* How are the young? Are lambs or calves in good condition? Do any need

supplementary feeding? Is a mother rejecting her young?

 

* How do they lie?

 

* How do they eat?

 

* How do they speak?

 

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Global health assessment

 

* Inspect site

* Analyze diet

* Evaluate air quality

*Examine animal

* Evaluate stable litter

* Observe excrements