Cleaning out the barn, a necessary chore for healthy animals

Finding tips on how to keep the cold winter weather from inviting your livestock housing is something homesteaders look for at the start of each fall. Today I am going to share with you what I do for our barn cleaning winter prep so our animals stay warm and dry no matter what the weather is like. A great list to keep on hand as a resource on how to raise dairy goats. By updating a few easy areas in your barn you too can create a space for your goats and other animals this winter.

If you raise animals on your homestead, barn cleaning and preparing their homes for cooler weather should be on your fall checklist. Our job is to always be sure we have a warm dry place for our animals to retreat to when the weather gets bad. This is true whether you live in a cooler climate or not because rain can cause stress to your animals just like snow. By setting up a schedule dependent on the seasons is a good way to make sure the important things get the attention they need right on time.

Barns, pens, and shelters should have a thorough clean-out every spring and fall. This will keep animal pests such as lice and mites to a minimum not to mention help deter unwanted worm outbreaks and illness. A clean and dust-free shelter is one of the keys to healthy animals.

As with any large chore such as barn clean-out, it is so much easier to break things down into steps. This will help you cover all aspects of cleaning and give you a more thorough job in a shorter time.

Tip: Cleaning out shelters is a big job, I’m not gonna lie. I would enlist help in advance. Since I am older, this is crucial to things getting done right. My boys give me a barn clean-out at least once a year as a Birthday gift. Hey…don’t roll your eyes, best gift EVER. This is my chance to get some much needed heavy labor and a large project done in just one day.

Here’s another tip, try to pick a warm and sunny day so cleaning out isn’t quite as messy on you.

Barn Cleaning Winter Prep Step By Step

I find it is best to do both things at once. This means as you are cleaning out your barn or another shelter you are preparing it for the upcoming winter as well. We tend to inspect things more closely as we are cleaning and that means any cracks or holes will be more obvious when we do.

You can either make a list of repairs as you find them or take the time now to close up and repair any issues you find. To close up a hold you can simply nail on a scrap piece of wood to cover it. This works surprisingly well and is a good reason to use up some of your scrap wood pile.

How do I secure my barn for winter?

The most important thing to look for is entry points in your barn or chicken coop that can be used by an outside predator. All animals look for shelter in the cold and wet months and the last thing you want is a raccoon taking up residence in your barn. Cover up any obvious holes by nailing down boards reducing the chance of a weasel getting in and invading your goat’s feed.

Step #1 Gather your supplies.

This is the list of supplies we like to have ready when we are barn cleaning for winter.

You will also want to have fresh bedding to put down when you are done. We use sawdust in our barn, but straw or wood chips will also work well. Don’t forget to also have gloves and face masks or bandanas. Trust me, the smell will be a bit, well, intense.

Step #2 Move the animals.

I know some of you may think “why move the animals? I can clean around them just fine!” But I have found that this job is difficult enough to do without a nosey herd of goats trying to help you out. Besides if you want to do a good and thorough job so you do not have problems come winter, you will want to be sure you do it right the first time. Find a spot for your animals to graze or hang out until you are done. Don’t forget to have water out for your animals while you are cleaning. (I forgot to do this one year, and they let me know it!)

Step #3 Remove all feeding dishes, mineral bowls, and water bowls.

Give them a thorough scrub with a water and bleach mixture. Be sure to scrub with a good brush and wear gloves to protect your hands. Wash the inside, outside, and handle if there is one. Once done allow each container to dry in the sun to further sterilize. Did you know that sunshine is a natural sterilizer? It is and that is why I always suggest using it when cleaning things outside in your barn. This tip will work for containers and other items as well.

Step #4 Knock down any cobwebs or old bee hives.

Clean off ledges and shelves especially if they have mouse or bird droppings on them. A broom, good strong hand brush, or putty knife will work great for this task. You may also want to do a quick once-over for any mice nests as well. You want your shelter to be perfect for your animals and not any others. Mice, birds, and other rodents can carry pests and diseases you simply do not want near your livestock, their water, or their feed.

Step # 5 Clean out hay bins.

Empty out all of the hay bins removing any if you can. Get the old hay at the bottom of the feeder so you can start fresh after things are done. You can put any old hay into your compost bin or you can use it in nesting boxes for your chickens. Just be sure it is clean and free from manure.

Step #6 Call in the troops.

Whether you have a dirt floor, wood, or concrete in your barn or livestock shelter this part is going to be hard on your back. If you are older like me, help is required so don’t be afraid to ask. You can ask your kids to help or even hire a few neighbor kids for an afternoon.

Step #7 Shovel it all out.

Using a straight-edged shovel, work the floor scraping down in order to get any old bedding loosened and out. If your barn or shelter has a dirt floor you will need to go down to the main surface to ensure you get all the debris up and gone. Urine and constant walking/laying can compact that ground down pretty tight so your first few shovels will be hard. You may have to use a pick ax to get this process started. Once you determine where your bottom layer is it will be easier going from there.

I like start in the middle and chisel things down until I hit the original ground. I can then make a large circle so my help knows how deep they need to go. If you clean out annually, this will be a good 5-8 inches depending on how many animals are in an area.

Step #8 Compost that black gold!

This is one of the perks of cleaning out your shelters. That solid compacted bedding is AWESOME for any gardener. You can either put that bedding in a wheelbarrow and take it right to your garden or you can put it into your compost pile to use later on.

I like to add compost to my garden each fall and allow it to sit all winter long. This is a great way to improve your soil so it is ready for planting come spring.

Step #9 Deodorize.

Once you have all the bedding and debris out of your barn or shelter you may notice that the smell will still be pretty strong. If this is the case you can sprinkle on a light layer of lime or food-grade diatomaceous earth. This will not only remove the strong ammonia smell it will also deter any pests that may be in there.

Remember to wear a face mask and gloves when using either lime or DE. No matter which one you choose to use, you will not want to let your animals back in until the dust has settled.

Step #10 Fresh bedding.

I know what you may be thinking, why would I add in more bedding once I just spent a full day getting it out? Remember, your animals are going to lie down and you may not want them to do that in soil that may be damp. If you add a thin layer of sawdust it will not only additionally deodorize but will put a protective layer between the ground and your animals.

We also have a concrete section in our barn and we add a thin layer of bedding there as well and for the same reason.

Step #11 Return feed bowls.

Your feed and water bowls should all be dry by now so you can gather those up and return them to their location. While you are doing this, take a minute and look at your setup. Ask yourself if it is still working for you and your animals. If not, now is the time to move things or rearrange where you have your water, feed, and hay bins.

Feeding your animals should not be a stressful time for you or your livestock. Try to locate feeders and bowls in a way that keeps everyone safe at feeding time, including you.

Step #12 Add free choice minerals.

To encourage a healthier herd I like to give fresh minerals, baking soda, salt, and kelp to our goats. Once the barn is clean I will refill our mineral containers with a fresh supply. Since our animals love minerals and kelp they look at this as a treat and rush to the bowls once we allow them to come back in.

Step #13 Add fresh hay.

If you removed your hay feeders return them now and put in some fresh hay. Again take a look at your setup and if the location you have now is not working, meaning everyone in your herd can easily get access to hay whenever they need to, consider trying a new location.

Step #14 Let them back in!

I just love this part. My gang is quite comical when they first come in. They will walk all over the barn checking everything out. Noses will poke into feed bowls, water dishes, and even the hay bin. They will even jump around enjoying the clean area and the fresh scent.

When it comes to the care of animals prevention is key. Nothing deters illness more than a clean shelter. One that is free of dust, old smelly bedding, and urine and feces in the soil. Yes, this is a difficult chore, but a necessary one if you want to ensure a healthy and happy herd.

Know that you have a checklist for barn cleaning winter prep you can get this chore done and off your to-do list.

How To Prepare Your Barn For Winter.