Can you leave livestock to fend for their own?

[Tom92]

Hello

We are planning to start a very small farm in the next year with some crops and livestock to sustain our own lives

Part of the livestock will be a few cows, chicken, goat and ducks.

I was wondering if it is possible to go away for a few days (max 14 days) and the animals can fend for themselves as long as they have enough grass to eat and walk on outside, water to swim in etc?
Or do they need daily care, even though they have food around them?

Best regards
Tom

 

[Suffolk Serf]

No. Livestock need checking daily, not just to see their general wellbeing, but to ensure that they have the basics of water, feed and shelter. There is a lot that can go wrong on 14 days.

 

[steveR]

Hello

We are planning to start a very small farm in the next year with some crops and livestock to sustain our own lives

Part of the livestock will be a few cows, chicken, goat and ducks.

I was wondering if it is possible to go away for a few days (max 14 days) and the animals can fend for themselves as long as they have enough grass to eat and walk on outside, water to swim in etc?
Or do they need daily care, even though they have food around them?

You need a keen and willing volunteer to look after the livestock while you are away, the Volunteers will maybe do it once, possibly twice, then start think of paying someone 50 quid/day to call in and check.

 

[spin cycle]

if you're in new zealand you can go away for months. .....but not really in this country

£50/day steve r

 

[betweenthelines]

No. Livestock need checking daily, not just to see their general wellbeing, but to ensure that they have the basics of water, feed and shelter. There is a lot that can go wrong on 14 days.

The above is a legal requirement.

Please don't "play" at caring for livestock.

 

[steveR]

if you're in new zealand you can go away for months. .....but not really in this country

£50/day steve r

Well, I was basing it on what my SiL pays a local to pop in and feed/check stock poultry. 60-90 mins max.

 

[Devil's advocate]

Well, I was basing it on what my SiL pays a local to pop in and feed/check stock poultry. 60-90 mins max.

Its sercurity as well, £50 a day cheap for 90 minutes of an honest person, capable of keeping stock healthy.

 

[Northeastfarmer]

A few days…..14 days

 

[deleted user 837354]

Absolute insanity. I've said it before- average Joes should not be able to keep livestock without a licence that trading standards can revoke at any time.

Fudging joke. Leaving livestock like that is not in line with legislation and would be unfavourably viewed in a court room.

 

[Wilksy]

Got to be a wind up

 

[matthew]

Hello

We are planning to start a very small farm in the next year with some crops and livestock to sustain our own lives

Part of the livestock will be a few cows, chicken, goat and ducks.

I was wondering if it is possible to go away for a few days (max 14 days) and the animals can fend for themselves as long as they have enough grass to eat and walk on outside, water to swim in etc?
Or do they need daily care, even though they have food around them?

Best regards
Tom

The author joined today and wrote this?
Really?
Cows, chicken, goat and ducks? Left for 14 days.

If this is genuine, then words fail me.

Some people shouldn't be left in charge of a parrot - a stuffed one.

 

[Tom92]

No. Livestock need checking daily, not just to see their general wellbeing, but to ensure that they have the basics of water, feed and shelter. There is a lot that can go wrong on 14 days.

Like what?

Its in Spain by the way. So they have sun, grass, shelter and a pond of water?

Serious question.

 

[Tom92]

The author joined today and wrote this?
Really?
Cows, chicken, goat and ducks? Left for 14 days.

If this is genuine, then words fail me.

Some people shouldn't be left in charge of a parrot - a stuffed one.

Mate, animals lived for millions of years on their own. How can they not survive in a fenced off area of ten thousand square meters of grass + water?

 

[Wooly]

I suggest you find yourself another career to play at.......... or perhaps become an arable farmer if you want that much time off !!

Livestock farming is a 24/7 job............as you should at least be on call 24 hours aday

 

[Chae1]

Like what?

Its in Spain by the way. So they have sun, grass, shelter and a pond of water?

Serious question.

There wild animals, they should be able to fend for themselves at this time of year.

 

[spin cycle]

Absolute insanity. I've said it before- average Joes should not be able to keep livestock without a licence that trading standards can revoke at any time.

Fudging joke. Leaving livestock like that is not in line with legislation and would be unfavourably viewed in a court room.

tbf...the op is asking and credit for that

i once heard of a shepherd meeting someone who bragged he'd bought some sheep....turned them in a field and went back 3 months later....aforementioned shepherd 'put him straight'

 

[Wesley]

Like what?

Its in Spain by the way. So they have sun, grass, shelter and a pond of water?

Serious question.

Ah Spain. You should’ve said before. Make sure you leave a decent supply of sun cream & a few spare pairs of sunglasses & they’ll be fine

 

[Jerry]

Mate, animals lived for millions of years on their own. How can they not survive in a fenced off area of ten thousand square meters of grass + water?

You have a legal and a moral obligation to the animals in your care. They are your animals, not wild animals.

All sorts of things can happen in 2 weeks inside a fenced enclosure that could result in premature death or prolonged pain from injury or disease.

If you want animals you have to be dedicated to their wellbeing.

If I go away from the farm even for 24 hours I arrange appropriate care for them by someone who knows what is what. .

Either a neighbour, on a reciprocal agreement or paid help.

 

[Chae1]

tbf...the op is asking and credit for that

i once heard of a shepherd meeting someone who bragged he'd bought some sheep....turned them in a field and went back 3 months later....aforementioned shepherd 'put him straight'

Know guys with large numbers of cattle leave them on hills for large periods of time unchecked. Not 2 weeks though!

These would be same people who wonder why there cattle are wild!

 

[Castle Farm]

Another who knows F all about livestock and farming.