Where do you keep pregnant livestock?

Answer 1

Of course it depends on what kind of livestock you are talking about. Beef or dairy cows are kept in pastures. Pregnant sows are either kept in pasture lots, indoor barns, or sometimes gestation crates. Gestations crates are controversial but usually most farmers go by the sow's behavior. If she is happy being left alone with water and food at her face, she's better off in a gestation crate. Horses are simply pastured to gestate with plenty of good grass/hay and water. Pregnant sheep or goats, same thing. They may be kept inside at night if predators are a problem. Closer to birthing, pregnant animals are usually kept in smaller lots so that they can be watched more closely, especially first time mothers. Sometimes a first time mother is scared of her baby, and she needs to be in a smaller area so she can get acquainted without the farmer having to intervene.