How to Prepare Your Livestock for a Hurricane or Tropical Storm

It's that time of year again when the weathermen start talking about hurricanes and tropical storms. For those of us who have livestock, it's important to start preparing now so that we are ready if one hits our area.

Here are some tips from Farmer Nicole of Circle C Farm on how to prepare your livestock for a hurricane or tropical storm.

The most important thing you can do is to have an evacuation plan in place. If you live in an area that is prone to hurricanes or tropical storms, you should know where you will take your animals if you have to evacuate.

Make sure you have a list of local shelters or boarding facilities that are willing to take in your animals. You should also have a list of friends or family members who are willing and able to take in your animals if needed.

If you decide to stay put and weather the storm, there are some things you need to do to prepare your animals:

First, make sure they have plenty of food and water. Store enough food and water for at least three days, and more if possible. If power is lost, you will need to have a way to keep food and water cool for your animals.

Next, secure any loose items in your barn or pasture that could become airborne in high winds and cause damage or injury. This includes removing any loose hay or straw, as well as anything else that could become a projectile.

If you have horses, it's important to make sure they are properly groomed. Their coats should be clean and free of debris so that they don't get tangled in fencing or other objects if they become agitated during the storm. 

Take some time now to prepare your livestock for a hurricane or tropical storm. It could make all the difference if one hits your area this year.

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