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Winterizing Your Barn


 



weatherized barnPreparing your barn for a cold winter is the best way to care for your livestock. Here are some tips to help you get things under control before the snow comes tumbling your way.

1. Check out your barn before winter comes and deal with any issues before it becomes too cold. Build extra storage and label or color code to help keep things organized. Clean up and remove rusted or broken items, clear out expired medication and restock. Move anything that could freeze into home storage and remove any old hay and bedding and restock with fresh for the winter. Wash down floors and clean all mats. Repair fences, paint gates and sand off any rust before repainting. Replace broken windows; if money is tight cover the space with plywood. Clean and oil barn doors. Make sure the animals are all up to date with medication and vaccines.

2. Make sure your electrical is all up to code and safe. Make sure nothing poses a fire risk as faulty wiring is the number one cause of barn fires and barn fires can be fatal. Any wires out in the open should be placed in conduit pipes to prevent them being eaten by rodents. Check fire extinguishers and clean furnace filters. Replace any broken light bulbs and put wire cages around them to prevent potential breakage or smoldering of hay. Service any heaters that may be used over the winter months.

3. Get rid of any additional fire risks and remove other hazards. Clear out any clutter, brush down cobwebs, get rid of any rodent or bird nests. Make sure hay and straw are put away and off the floor. Avoid using extension cords and store flammable products away from the barn. Make sure everyone knows to UNPLUG any electricals not in use and install fire alarms. Remove any electrical cords, ropes or dangling wires and lock up cleaning supplies, medications or other possible toxins.

4. Make sure you have sand to grit with and salt to break up ice stockpiled near the barn door. This will help make sure you're never wanting for an ice free trip out to the pasture.

5. Get the barn roof checked and repaired. Replace any frayed shingles, repair any leaks, and clear out rain gutters.

6. Add insulation if necessary. If you have an attic you need to insulate this can get pricey, but consider using old blankets, cornstalks, weed cloth or other non-edible options. Insulate pipes to prevent them from bursting and push snow around the barn for added insulation.

7. But be sure you have proper ventilation. Even in the winter your horses need fresh air to breath and a place for hot, smelly air to escape. You want to make sure your barn isn't drafty, but you also want to be sure that fresh air has acceptable routes in and out of the barn. Caulk around windows and doors and close anything not currently in use to prevent drafts.

8. Have your well serviced, make sure your water supply will not freeze, and make sure the pressure will stay up high enough to keep any automatic waterers and hoses working.

9. Clear out any pests and put up netting to discourage birds from nesting.

10. Make sure you have a winter time evacuation plan so that if the unforeseen should happen you have a way to make sure both you and your horses are evacuated quickly and safely.

 

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