Protecting Your Livestock

The livestock, poultry, and horse industries face many different issues in disasters than do pet owners.  This is mainly because of the size and numbers of animals dealt with by farmers.  The livestock industry is closely regulated, so farmers cannot make casual decisions about the fate of their animals, their products, or the environment.

Farmers should take time regularly to walk around the farm and identify possible problems.  By correcting deficiencies in safety at all times, landowners and farmers can also reduce the liability they carry in disaster.

The priorities for disaster planning varies to some extent with the type of animals and facilities.  In general, plans should be made for the disasters most likely to occur, i.e. high winds, hurricanes, flooding, tornadoes, wildfires, and hazardous materials accidents.  Owners should consult with their local emergency management office on what type of help is available and where to get it.  The first step to being prepared is to develop a written disaster plan.

Dependable communication is fundamental to identify immediate sources of help and where help will be needed most.  Farmers and livestock owners should develop a "buddy system" with their neighbors and friends and determine ahead of time who will be responsible for checking on whom and which resources will be shared.  Another effective method of communication is a telephone tree, which involves a person in an affected area calling two or three people to see if they need help.  Those in turn phone two or three others and so on.

If a disaster threatens, horses should be rounded up immediately.  This will make it easier to catch and rescue them if it becomes necessary to do so.  Human safety should not be placed at risk to save horses.  Some things that can be done on farms to help reduce damage during a disaster:

• Build barns and out buildings to meet or exceed construction codes.
• Replace or cover glass windows with materials that will not shatter and injure animals.
• Electrical wiring of barns and stables should meet appropriate safety standards and should be installed by qualified electricians.
• Do not leave construction material unsecured.  In high winds, these may become projectiles.
• Store chemicals and fertilizers in a storm-proof building and in secure containers.
• Consider installing a hand pump on your well.  This will allow you to have water even if the power is out.
• Develop lists of feed and hay suppliers in your area.
• Avoid dietary changes.  When the diets of horses and livestock change, they become predisposed to diseases.
• Keep a two-week supply of animal feed and medications on hand and store them in water proof containers.
• Consider identification for your animals, i.e. photographs, tattoos, or ID tags on halters.
• Smoking should never be allowed in any barn, hay or bedding storage area, tack room or lounge.
• Make sure you have adequate insurance.  Check with your insurance agent about which perils and which animals are covered.
• Keep doorways and aisles free of obstructions and sharp objects.
• Keep disaster and first aid supplies on hand:

bandaging material	antiseptic ointment
clippers	latex gloves
tweezers	halters
chain saw	ladder
wire cutters	come along
axe	shovel
pry bar	block and tackle

The safest place for large animals to weather a storm is in a large pasture, if it meets the following guidelines.

• It should be free of large trees.
• It should be clear of overhead power lines.
• It should be well away from areas that might generate wind driven debris.
• It should have both low areas that animals can shelter in during the storm, and higher areas that will not be flooded after the storm.

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