It's that time of the year again Harsh winter weather
starts with strong wind, snow, and hail that seem to drive
the North Pole right to the front door. If proper
preparations have been made, winter is something that can be
survived relatively problem free. In fact, some people and
animals may even enjoy it! However, if your barn is not
taken care of properly, the livestock will suffer, the
business will suffer, and winter will be miserable. Times
are tight in the winter and when the temperatures are
freezing, it's not the time to be trying to make repairs
with numb fingers and a gale force wind at your back. To
learn how to properly winterize a barn for the harsh winter,
read on.
!! Steps !!
Begin preparations _before_ winter comes. Start by checking around
the area and barn for debris and overhanging branches. Trim any
trees that might fall down due to high wind and snow.
* If you don't already have adequate storage set up, this is the
time to build some. Add shelves, hanging posts, saddle racks,
cupboard space, etc., where you can put tack, blankets, tarps,
feed, medicine, barn tools, etc. Use labels or color codes to help
you to keep things in order.
* Do a general clean up inside the barn and remove used, rusty,
broken, dated, etc., items. Check for expired medications and
foodstuffs and throw these out. Restock with fresh items in date,
and place any items that could freeze into your house storage (out
of the reach of children and pets). Remove old hay and bedding
which can harbor allergens and molds.
* Wash down the floors and remove any stains and dried on urine or
feces. Clean all stall mats and refill under stall mats if needed.
* Repair the fences around the barn, if any. Paint gates and sand
off any rust from gate joins and paint with rustproof paint.
* Replace any broken windows with cardboard or plywood if money is
tight. Give all the windows a good clean to help improve the
amount of light entering the barn over the winter months.
* Clean and oil the barn doors. Check that they're moving properly
on their tracks.
* Winterize the animals that will end up in the barn over winter by
making sure they have their vaccinations are up to date and any
other medical needs are attended to.
Check the electrical items and all barn wiring. It's important to
ensure that any fire risks are removed or averted in the barn, and
faulty electrical wiring is the leading cause of barn fires.[1]
Check the wiring, the fuse box, and all electrical cords for
soundness. If you find broken circuits or fuses, get an electrician
to check immediately.
* Place electrical wires in conduit pipes to ensure that rodents and
other animals cannot gnaw on them.
* Check fire extinguishers are in place and in date.
* Clean the furnace filters (if you have one) and check to see if it
might need to be replaced.
* Replace any broken light bulbs. Put wire metal cages around bulbs
to prevent the potential for breakage or fire from straw or hay
smoldering on the light bulb as it operates.[2] Clean all light
fixtures.
* Service any heaters used in the barns.
Barn fires are fast and deadly - guard against them Clear away fire
risks. Besides electrical wiring, there are other things that should
be cleared away to remove fire risks. Sweep up and remove any clutter
from the barn, brush down cobwebs (use a broom, mop, or vacuum), and
make sure that there are proper holders for hay and straw to prevent
it from being strewn across the floor. Cobwebs that are hard to reach
can be hosed down, or use a leaf blower. Remove birds' nests if there
are any.
* Store flammable products, including fuel, in a different place,
not in the barn.
* Avoid using extension cords in the barn.
* Switch off and unplug all items in the ban when not in use, such
as kettles, radios, portable fans, and heaters. All appliances
used in a barn should have automatic shut-off switches.
* If you haven't already installed fire alarms, consider doing so.
Check existing ones and update their batteries.
Be careful of overhanging lights Remove hazards. Anything that could
potentially harm an animal or person inside the barn should be
removed or stored safely. Remove all electrical cords, ropes,
dangling wires, etc. These present tangling hazards. Lock away
cleaning products, medications, and anything else that is toxic if
swallowed or over-consumed.
Stockpile sand and rock salt near the entrance to the barn. Sand is
useful for breaking down ice around the barn and for covering up
spills inside the barn. The sand can be used to help livestock get
traction when moving outside for brief outings.[3] The rock salt can
be used to break down ice. _ Mend broken shingles Care
for the barn roof. Check the roof of the barn and replace any frayed
shingles that may look like they are damaged. The weather during
winter will just increase the problem later on, which you don't_
want happening.
* Repair leaks. On rainy days, check to see if the barn has any
holes or leaks in the roof. You can also try doing this on a sunny
day by shutting all the doors, covering the windows with the
lights off to see if any light shines through cracks.
* Clear out the rain gutters.
Insulate the barn against the cold. If you have the money, it would
be best to insulate the attic of the barn. Tight on money? Use
whatever you can find and be creative. However, try to not use
something the livestock won't mind munching on. Some cheap but
effective insulation suggestions include bales of straw, old carpet,
lining for weed control, blankets, and corn stalks.
* If you have plumbing in the barn, use proper pipe insulation and
heat tape to prevent them from freezing over and possibly
bursting. Wrap the water heater in insulation.
* Once snow begins to start pouring down, it can also be used as an
insulator. Push the snow around the barn. Try to also remember
that snow can get heavy. Don't bury the animals.
* Consider getting a litmus test to make sure the barn is thoroughly
insulated.
Ensure adequate ventilation for the livestock. It's important that
the animals get fresh air as well as staying warm, in order to
prevent respiratory illnesses.[4] Place thick plastic on the outside
of most of the windows to make it warm, but don't make it too tight;
just enough to eliminate drafts.
* Caulking around windows and doors is a good idea to keep out the
wind.
* Close louvers and soffits not used for ventilation, or that cause
drafts.
* Check the water flow and availability Check the water
supply to the barn. Make sure it's in good order and that the
pressure is adequate for both using in the barn and for using in
case of a fire. Have well pumps serviced. During winter, warm
water is an important element for drinking and general use,[5] so
be sure to check the heated water supply.
* Discourage nesting Discourage pests. Feed should be kept
in rodent proof containers and bins. Put netting around rafters to
discourage birds from nesting. Place plastic owls and snakes in
the barn to scare off some birds and rodents – these can be
somewhat effective.[6]
!! Tips !!
* Be sure to keep a flashlight handy in the feed room or accessible
location in case of power outages.
* Make sure to have a good supply of clean bedding for your
livestock. Sawdust shavings and old, dry hay make good bedding and
help provide insulation against a cold floor.
* Prepare an evacuation plan for the animals in the barn in case
anything goes wrong, such as a fire, or a storm, etc. Write up the
plan and place copies of it in the barn and your house, so that
everyone responsible for caring for the animals knows what to to
in the case of an emergency. Have holding pens in the yard to
place frightened stock in the case of an emergency.[7] Stockpile
emergency feed and medical supplies for emergency situations as
well.
* Wash and air all winter clothing used for animals during the
warmer weather. Store neatly in readiness for use.
* Ground fault circuit interrupters are vital if using heating
devices for water. This will prevent electrical shocks.
* If dogs or cats live in the barn over winter, build them suitable
sleeping places away from drafts. Use straw bales, blankets,
boxes, etc., to ensure their comfort.
* Clean everything stored in the barn wall, including tack,
clothing, storage bins, mats, hoses, buckets, etc. You'll be much
less inclined to clean anything during the colder months!
* Consider applying dust inhibitors.
* If you don't have the time or ability to winterize your barn, seek
help from family, neighbors, friends, or even pay for handypersons
to come and assist. The more hands, the lighter the task.
!! Warnings !!
* Beware of coyotes or pests that might try and sneak a bite to eat
during the winter. Mend any holes that predators might use to
obtain access to the livestock.
* Remove anything that is only used during the warmer months, and
anything that might freeze, such as liquids and medications,
insecticides, paint, etc.
* Store new and drained anti-freeze out of the reach of animals.
Some animals are attracted to it, with fatal consequences.
* Don't hang electrical lights or other items over animal stalls,
especially horses and cows, animals large enough to reach and
chew.
* Don't leave electric bucket heaters within the reach of livestock;
the animals can be electrocuted.
!! Things You'll Need !!
* Storage containers
* Washing facilities
* Brooms, mops, leaf blower, vacuum cleaner
* Cleaning liquid (non-hazardous to animals)
* New bulbs, wiring, etc., as required
* Professional help from electrician
* Oil for door
* Repair items such as electrical tape, nails, etc.
!! Sources And Citations !!
* Gary Heusner, Winterizing Your Horse Barn -– Prevention of Barn
Fires,
http://mcdowell.ces.ncsu.edu/content/Horse+Winterizing+Your+Horse+Barn-Prevention+of+Barn+Fires
– research source
* The Urban Cowboy, Winterize your barn,
http://theurbancowboy.net/2009/winterize-your-barn/ – research
source
* Sue Weaver, Winterizing the farm,
http://www.hobbyfarms.com/home-and-barn/winterizing-14797.aspx –
research source
* Laurie Cerny, Winterize the "green" way,
http://americashorsedaily.com/winterize-the-green-way/ –
research source
* FEMA, Before winter storms and extreme cold,
http://www.fema.gov/hazard/winter/wi_before.shtm – research
source
* David Wyatt, Preparing the stable for winter,
http://www.equisearch.com/horses_care/farm_ranch/barns/stable121603/
– research source
!! Article Tools !!
* Read on wikiHow
*
0 comments:
Post a Comment