Coronavirus: feeders, feed and manure management

Contact your feed supplier/nutritionist as soon as possible to adjust your requirements and ensure a continued supply.

• Discuss rations and alternative diets.
• Calculate how much feed you will need during the movement restrictions, including potential wastage.

• Avoid drastic changes to feed and do not restrict feed to stop animals becoming overweight:
  • Initially, do not feed youngstock ad lib. Instead, provide feed in troughs or hoppers several times a day to allow ready and easy access, especially in the first few days after moving.
  • Clean containers used for feed/water before use and ensure troughs are kept clean.

• Avoid floor feeding and fix lightweight troughs to the floor, this will reduce waste and fouling.

• Check feeders are protected from rain.

• Consider drying off cows early if feed supplies are limited to reduce pressure on feed. Prioritise the nutrition of transition cows.

• Alternative feeders can be made from plastic drums (for pigs) adapting sheep troughs:
  • Cut off the bases to approximately 10-15 cm deep.

• Check water supplies are plentiful, easily accessible, clean and available at all times.

• Contact your water supplier(s) to ensure your supply is prioritised and ensure your backup supply is sufficient, especially in extreme weather.

• Adapt temporary water supplies:
  • Fit nipple drinkers into plastic drums (pigs only)

• Check fittings are at the correct height.

• Provide water in troughs for the first 3–5 days.

• Position drinkers so lying areas aren’t affected if there is a spillage or leak.

• Consider underfoot conditions around water troughs and feeders to prevent the spread of infectious causes of lameness e.g. footrotin sheep. 

Can manure and effluent be controlled within temporary accommodation?

• Amend your farm Manure Management Plan, if needed:
  • Review the plan before spreading

• Check you have at least four months’ slurry capacity; if nearing this limit, seek alternative arrangements as soon as possible.

• Use the AHDB Slurry wizard to help you work out slurry storage requirements, explore options and comply with regulations.

Can livestock legally be moved off farm?

• Ensure transporters have an emergency plan, especially in the event of longer journeys.

• Make extra checks if animals are being moved further than usual or during extreme weather.

• Review and record health and safety plans.

• Make sure plans consider biosecurity best practice.

Is there a sale or slaughter outlet, even at a financial loss?

• Before moving, check:
  • Can the buyer or abattoir accept your animals and, if so, how many?
  • Have you booked your livestock movements?

• Are there are any restrictions on your contract?

• Does the abattoir make any emergency overweight allowances?

• Identify how animals will be chosen for slaughter if your abattoir has limited capacity.

• Remember, animals may be more stressed if they are moved.

More information on euthanasia: