Ventilation should keep dust to a minimum. All feeds should be carefully checked before being given to animals. Deal only with reliable feed dealers, and have suspect feed tested. Restraining equipment should be checked regularly for wear or breakage. Farm Safety Association fact sheets on silage gas and manure gas, plus a booklet titled 'Gas Poisoning on the Farm', are available from the Association's Guelph office.
Proper ventilation plays an important role in herd health.
A number of gases associated with confinement systems can affect the health of animals. Manure gases can be detrimental to animal health if adequate ventilation is not provided. Many farm people have become amateur veterinarians, and regularly administer antibiotics and other drugs to their animals. In general, medications should not be given to animals unless under the supervision of a qualified veterinarian. Animal drugs should be kept under lock and key, and instruments such as syringes and needles kept absolutely sterile.