As I write this article, we are gearing up to host our first-ever Homesteading Conference at the Lincoln County Agriculture Center in collaboration with Wilkes and Hart County UGA Extension. Homesteading is often defined as a lifestyle focused on self-sufficiency—growing food, raising livestock, reducing waste, and learning sustainable skills. Many homesteaders eventually add livestock such as poultry, small ruminants, cattle, pigs, or other species to their operations. As part of our conference, I was asked to present an introduction to livestock health, so I thought I’d share a few snippets from that program with you this week.
Healthy animals start with good management practices. I like to frame animal management using a welfare approach. The Five Domains Model states that positive animal welfare is tied to five areas: health, nutrition, environment, behavior, and mental or emotional state. At a minimum, animals need proper nutrition, a safe and appropriate environment, the ability to exhibit normal behaviors, and adequate healthcare—all of which contribute to a positive mental state and overall well-being. Animals that receive proper care are typically healthier, longer-lived, and more productive than those that don’t.
From a healthcare standpoint, animals face both infectious diseases—caused by viruses, bacteria, or other pathogens—and non-infectious diseases, which result from factors such as poor nutrition, inadequate housing, or injury. We can reduce the risk of both by following sound management practices: vaccination, deworming, and good biosecurity help prevent infectious disease, while proper feeding and environmental management help prevent non-infectious problems. Preventing disease is always easier—and more cost-effective—than treating it.
Another key concept in animal health is recognizing when something is wrong. Paying close attention to normal behavior helps you catch problems early. Changes in eating or drinking habits, isolation from other animals, or a dull, listless appearance are often early warning signs that an animal may be sick or in pain
Another aspect of animal health is working closely with a veterinarian. Not every vet treats livestock, so it’s essential to find one who does and establish a veterinary-client-patient relationship (VCPR) before an emergency occurs. Veterinarians can help you design vaccination and deworming schedules, advise on nutrition and reproduction, and provide treatment when illness or injury happens. Keep in mind that veterinarians cannot legally diagnose or treat animals without a valid VCPR, and many will not offer emergency care to clients who do not have one in place—so it’s best to establish that relationship early.
Lastly, good recordkeeping is a cornerstone of livestock health. Records should include vaccination and deworming dates, illnesses or injuries, treatments, breeding and parturition events, feed changes, and performance measures like weight gain. Accurate records help you monitor trends, share precise information with your veterinarian, and ensure compliance with regulations if your animals or products enter the food chain.
Raising livestock can be incredibly rewarding but comes with real responsibility. Learning the basics of animal welfare, understanding the needs of the species you raise, and developing a herd or flock health plan are all critical to long-term success. If you need help with livestock health or management, contact your local veterinarian or reach out to us at 706-359-3233 or uge3181@uga.edu
