- Joined
- Jul 9, 2012
- Messages
- 328
- Reaction score
- 823
- Points
- 253
When it comes to keeping livestock, being ready for the unexpected can make all the difference — whether it's a midnight kidding, a power outage, or an injured animal in the field.
This quick quiz will help you discover how ready you are to face barn emergencies — and where you might need to tighten your game plan.
Let’s find out — are you cool under pressure, or would a barn emergency catch you off guard?
1. Do you keep a fully stocked animal first-aid kit in your barn or tack room?
A. Yes, always — and I check it regularly.
B. I have one, but it might need restocking.
C. I think I have a few supplies around somewhere…
D. Not yet, but it’s on my to-do list.
2. If one of your animals goes into labor unexpectedly, what’s your response?
A. I’ve got towels, gloves, a birthing kit, and my vet’s number on speed dial.
B. I know what to do, but I might have to scramble for supplies.
C. I’d probably panic a little and call for help.
D. I’ve never thought about that situation.
3. A windstorm knocks out power. How do you manage your barn’s needs?
A. I’ve got backup lighting and a generator ready.
B. I can make do with flashlights and headlamps.
C. I’d be fumbling with my phone flashlight.
D. Yikes, I’d be in the dark — literally.
4. Do you have a fire extinguisher and know how to use it in your barn?
A. Yes, and I’ve checked it recently.
B. I have one, but I’m not sure it still works.
C. I don’t have one yet.
D. I didn’t even think barns needed them!
5. One of your animals is limping. What’s your first move?
A. I isolate, examine, and treat or call the vet depending on severity.
B. I check them over but usually wait a day to see if it improves.
C. I look it up online and try to guess.
D. I just hope it gets better on its own.
6. Do you have an emergency contact list (vet, farrier, neighbors) posted where it's easy to find?
A. Yes — laminated and posted in the barn.
B. It's in my phone, but not posted.
C. I know most numbers by heart.
D. I’d have to search for them.
7. What’s your plan if you need to evacuate your animals quickly (e.g., fire, flood)?
A. I have trailers, leads, halters, and a written plan.
B. I’ve thought about it and could act fast.
C. I have a general idea but no supplies ready.
D. Honestly… I’d be in trouble.
8. How often do you walk through your barn to check for hazards like loose nails or tripping risks?
A. Weekly or more
B. Monthly
C. Occasionally
D. Rarely or never
9. Do you have extra feed, water, and bedding stored in case of supply chain disruptions or extreme weather?
A. I keep at least 2–4 weeks' worth on hand.
B. I usually have a week or two in reserve.
C. I buy feed weekly and have little to no backup.
D. I rely on last-minute store runs.
10. If you had to leave someone else in charge of your animals in an emergency, would they know what to do?
A. Yes — I have written instructions and walk-throughs.
B. I’ve told them some basics, but not everything.
C. Maybe… they’ve seen my routine.
D. No — it’s all in my head.
Give yourself points based on your answers:
A = 3 points | B = 2 points | C = 1 point | D = 0 points
Your Total Score: ___ / 30
26–30 points:
Barn Boss!
You're the definition of cool, calm, and collected. Your animals are in safe hands — and your barn is ready for anything.
18–25 points:
Well Prepared
You’re in a solid position, but a few small improvements could boost your emergency game even more.
10–17 points:
Needs Work
You've got the heart — now it’s time to gather some gear, make a plan, and level up your readiness.
0–9 points:
At Risk
Don’t panic — but don’t wait either. Start by stocking basic first-aid supplies and posting emergency contacts. You’ve got this!
What’s ONE thing you’ve done — or plan to do — to be more prepared in your barn?
Drop your score below and share a tip! Let’s help each other build safer barns and smarter homesteads, one emergency plan at a time.
This quick quiz will help you discover how ready you are to face barn emergencies — and where you might need to tighten your game plan.
Let’s find out — are you cool under pressure, or would a barn emergency catch you off guard?
1. Do you keep a fully stocked animal first-aid kit in your barn or tack room?
A. Yes, always — and I check it regularly.
B. I have one, but it might need restocking.
C. I think I have a few supplies around somewhere…
D. Not yet, but it’s on my to-do list.
2. If one of your animals goes into labor unexpectedly, what’s your response?
A. I’ve got towels, gloves, a birthing kit, and my vet’s number on speed dial.
B. I know what to do, but I might have to scramble for supplies.
C. I’d probably panic a little and call for help.
D. I’ve never thought about that situation.
3. A windstorm knocks out power. How do you manage your barn’s needs?
A. I’ve got backup lighting and a generator ready.
B. I can make do with flashlights and headlamps.
C. I’d be fumbling with my phone flashlight.
D. Yikes, I’d be in the dark — literally.
4. Do you have a fire extinguisher and know how to use it in your barn?
A. Yes, and I’ve checked it recently.
B. I have one, but I’m not sure it still works.
C. I don’t have one yet.
D. I didn’t even think barns needed them!
5. One of your animals is limping. What’s your first move?
A. I isolate, examine, and treat or call the vet depending on severity.
B. I check them over but usually wait a day to see if it improves.
C. I look it up online and try to guess.
D. I just hope it gets better on its own.
6. Do you have an emergency contact list (vet, farrier, neighbors) posted where it's easy to find?
A. Yes — laminated and posted in the barn.
B. It's in my phone, but not posted.
C. I know most numbers by heart.
D. I’d have to search for them.
7. What’s your plan if you need to evacuate your animals quickly (e.g., fire, flood)?
A. I have trailers, leads, halters, and a written plan.
B. I’ve thought about it and could act fast.
C. I have a general idea but no supplies ready.
D. Honestly… I’d be in trouble.
8. How often do you walk through your barn to check for hazards like loose nails or tripping risks?
A. Weekly or more
B. Monthly
C. Occasionally
D. Rarely or never
9. Do you have extra feed, water, and bedding stored in case of supply chain disruptions or extreme weather?
A. I keep at least 2–4 weeks' worth on hand.
B. I usually have a week or two in reserve.
C. I buy feed weekly and have little to no backup.
D. I rely on last-minute store runs.
10. If you had to leave someone else in charge of your animals in an emergency, would they know what to do?
A. Yes — I have written instructions and walk-throughs.
B. I’ve told them some basics, but not everything.
C. Maybe… they’ve seen my routine.
D. No — it’s all in my head.
Scoring:
Give yourself points based on your answers:
A = 3 points | B = 2 points | C = 1 point | D = 0 points
Your Total Score: ___ / 30
Results
26–30 points:
Barn Boss!
You're the definition of cool, calm, and collected. Your animals are in safe hands — and your barn is ready for anything.18–25 points:
Well Prepared
You’re in a solid position, but a few small improvements could boost your emergency game even more.10–17 points:
Needs Work
You've got the heart — now it’s time to gather some gear, make a plan, and level up your readiness.0–9 points:
At Risk
Don’t panic — but don’t wait either. Start by stocking basic first-aid supplies and posting emergency contacts. You’ve got this!What’s ONE thing you’ve done — or plan to do — to be more prepared in your barn? 
Drop your score below and share a tip! Let’s help each other build safer barns and smarter homesteads, one emergency plan at a time.
Last edited:
- living in So Cal we have to be ready to evac at a moment's notice with the fires.
