Just like many other job , the right tools can make a lot of conflict when working with cows . Whether treating a sick one or merely plow with daily chores , it ’s helpful to have some basic items already rounded up and on the homestead .
If it seems overwhelming to endeavor to collect all of these things , do n’t panic ! Some tools do n’t need to be purchase correctly away and can be borrowed or rented , especially if you ’re not raising a large number of cattle . Remember , making impertinent fiscal choices now can help absolve up money that can be invested in other task around your homestead .
Here is a canonic list of several tools you might discover beneficial if you ’re considering raising your own kine .
Hay Feeder
While they ’re one of the most basic thing to suggest when it comes to raise cattle , a sturdy Basel self-feeder will make an effort to hold loose hay and not have it scattered over the rest of the penitentiary . This facilitate prevent even more waste .
Waterer
Even if you plan to keep your cattle in a eatage with a pond , it ’s important to have a backup source of weewee should the pool go ironical . Here in Central Kansas , windmill started very shortly after putting grass cattle out , as our ponds were so low .
Whether you have a stock tank that you’re able to fill from a well or windmill , a pond , spring or other means of fresh water supply , or you have to haul water to your fauna , have a plan in mind !
Bunk or Area to Feed Grain & Other Rations
suffer a raised bunk , whether made of metal or concrete , can help contain and keep any free grain or other feed off of the land . Keep a shovel handy , as once in a while you might want to clean out any rocks or remnant debris that they ’re not eating .
Mineral Feeder
This can be as simple as a daily round , rubber tub that is set inside out of the rain . In our pasture , feeders are arrange inside a sales booth that has a small ceiling above .
Cattle Prods
From sorting joystick and flags to a “ rattling boat paddle ” ( which is a plastic boat paddle on the destruction of a stick with electronic bulletin board in it that will roll around and make a dissonance ) and other form of Bos taurus prods , there are a variety of tools that can be used to help move kine through an bowling alley or chute .
Tagger & Ear Tags
If you ’re not raise multiple calves , you in all probability wo n’t need an ear tagging program very often unless to replace a missing rag . However , if you do bumble across one , they ’re not a large tool and can be set in a cabinet in the shed until you ’re ready to use it .
Syringes
Needed to give many medications , a syringe can also be cleaned and tucked away until needed again .
Bolus Gun or Pill Pusher
Giving pills to a calf can be a crafty business unless you have a pill pusher to pop them into . These also are not a very expectant investment and can be reused time and clock time again .
Medications
Regardless of what form of medication you prefer to give your kine , it ’s good to have a program in mind should you take the air out to the pasture and find an issue with one of them . Even if you do n’t keep a large quantity on hand , talk to your local veteran to find out what they urge for preparedness , then have their number save in case you need help or advice speedily .
Bander & Bands
This hypnotism is not something everyone will postulate to purchase , unless you finish up with a bull at some percentage point . Whether you ’re raising your own calf ( in which case you never screw what you ’ll get — heifer or bull ? ! ) or just purchased some from the sale b that motive worked , it ’s good to know how to castrate or where to take them to have it done .
Banding is a humane method for castrating a Irish bull . The physical process mostly does n’t take long to do .
Working Chute
A rather large investment , a working chute is not something that take to be buy for owning one or two fauna . Rather , seem for local veterinary surgeon or a trusted rancher that is willing to permit you use theirs .
If you do get to the point that you ’re reckon to purchase one , do some research first and check out your options . Whether you take to practise your strength with a manual slideway or drop a bit more for a hydraulic one , look at asking around to see if you may watch some others and larn how each work .
Dart Gun
Another example of an investiture that you wo n’t need to make right away , dart torpedo are helpful to treat a sick calf from a safe distance away . Whether he ’s agitated and dangerous to approach , or he ’s out in a forage where catch him would be a challenge , a dart gun can make treatment go much comfortable .
The dart can be filled with medication , then darted into the animate being . Then , easily enough , the flit will come off after the medicinal drug has been administered .
A Small Loader Tractor
There are near interminable ways to utilize a modest longshoreman tractor or skid hint around a busy homestead . Local rancher ( and my married man ) , Kolton Krispense , shared that , if you ’re keeping your Bos taurus in an enclosed lot , you need to ensure to haul the manure out frequently to avail reduce health hazards among your herd .
It can be helpful to look until the manure has mostly dried out before remotion , then carry on to fill in any holes with fine crushed rock or dirt . As he put it , “ Cattle grow better in a dry , clean environment ! ”
Books
This last hypnotism is , of course , one of my favorites as I love to have a full subroutine library on hand . For a twain of suggestions on book to bring to your library , tick out ones by Heather Smith Thomas , such asStorey ’s Guide to farm Beef CattleorThe Cattle Health Handbook .
For a inclination of book recommendations , check out the recommended reading roundup below .
Read more : Check out these 6 account book about keep cattle for beef cattle , milk & more !
Other
eventually , check that you ’re well stock with provender buckets and scoops . And a expert pitchfork is a definite farm essential !
