How to Feed Small Livestock

Small livestock, like chickens, rabbits and goats, are great animals to have, but they do require special feeding. The process of feeding small livestock can be a time-consuming one, but it doesn't need to be. Follow the below tips and the whole process can be done in 15 to 30 minutes depending on the number of animals you have.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Buy enough large tin garbage cans or other sealable containers to accommodate one by each of the small livestock's cages, pens or tractors. Fill each can with the type of food the animal eats so when it's feeding time, you have everything right there to get the job done quickly.
2. Determine the most efficient sequence in which you'd like to feed your small livestock. Stick to this routine every time you feed your animals so they know what to expect.
3. Load up a garden wagon with hay before you begin your feeding rounds. Small livestock need their living areas maintained and this is usually done when you feed them. Just before you give them their food, put a little fresh hay in their cages, pens or tractors.
4. Wash out the water containers for all the small livestock. Do this immediately after giving them some fresh hay. Remove the water containers, clean them and fill them with fresh water before returning them. You can do this with a nearby garden hose, or you can carry two large buckets of water in the garden wagon. One bucket for rinsing out the water containers or troughs, and the other for filling them up with fresh water.
5. Talk to the small livestock when you feed them. Some, like rabbits, may even enjoy some human contact so spend a moment or two petting them.