Sep 29 2008
Muck Out Those Stalls!
Alright, it is probably true that everyone’s least favorite activity in taking care of animals is getting rid of animal waste. That being said, it is necessary and in most cases needs to be once if not twice every day. I used to work for the Agricultural Department of the Ohio State University. We would periodically travel to the best farms in the state to observe how the farmers ran their successful businesses. Every time we visited these farms they were clean - obsessively so. These farmers were successful for one very important reason - clean animals are healthy animals. Healthy animals will bring more when they are sold at market, will cost less in veterinary bills and lost production (i.e. dairy cows) and the barns will look better for visitors and inspectors (depending upon your business).
Cleaning out your barn completely may be necessary several times a year. This means using a pressure washer to thoroughly clean all areas where waste accumulates, the walls and equipment (such as water systems and grain/hay holders). A disinfectant should be used after the initial hose down to get rid of any bacteria or parasites that may have taken up residence in the stalls. For most farmers, using a mix of 1 part bleach to 4 parts water works pretty well and is very economical too.
Let your stalls air dry completely before placing clean bedding in them. Some farmers prefer hay left over from the year before or straw, while others use sawdust. Just remember, use the appropriate thickness of bedding for the animal you are caring for.
It is also important to note that for horses, using old hay is usually a bad idea. Horses are susceptible to health issues caused by dusty hay and mold, namely heaves. Protect your horses from this condition by providing fresh, dust and mold-free bedding and hay.
So, without further ado, get to mucking out those stalls before the cold weather hits. It isn’t much fun, (especially in the north where I live), to spray down stalls when it is cold outside!
~~Charlotte
