TO HOUSE YOUR LIVESTOCK AT THE 4-H BARN

Please contact the Val Verde County Extension office, 830-774-7591,  to let them know if you plan to house your sheep and goats. We will assign you a pen number and give you further instructions.

Val Verde 4-H Feeding Facilities

Val Verde County provides pens for 4-H members who don’t have facilities for their sheep and goat projects. The facility if specifically for sheep and goat projects that will compete in the county livestock show and any out of town major livestock shows. Typically, animals are brought in at the end of the summer and are kept at the barns throughout the stock show season. It is a privilege that we have a county feeding facility. There are many counites across the state where youth do not have this opportunity. We ask that you remember this is a privilege and be good stewards of the facilities by taking care of your space, livestock and cleaning up after yourself.

• The livestock project is designed to teach responsibility and work ethic – we have received many questions in regards to our maintenance man’s responsibilities at the livestock barn. Our county maintenance man does not travel to every 4-H members barn in the county to clean and take care of their facilities – our maintenance man will support the efforts of our 4-H families that house their livestock at the barn, however please do not expect to have a maid.
• Pen Space: Each pen can easily hold up to 4 animals – we will not be able to accommodate the requests of 1 -2 head per a pen for individual feeding purposes. If you need to individually feed  your animals you can halter and tie or build a feeding shoot to separate and feed your animals. While pens are 1^st come 1^st serve, if space becomes an issue you may have to move or combine pens.
• Trash: Please take all bulk trash to the dumpster. Do NOT put feed sacks, boxes, or supplement buckets in the trash barrels. Trash barrels are available for small trash only. If the trash barrel is full, please help out by taking it to the dumpster.
• Running Livestock: We have a track and large open pens behind the pens if you would like to exercise your livestock. PLEASE DO NOT EXERCISE OR RUN YOUR LIVESTOCK IN THE ALLEY! The alley is simply for moving animals in and out of your pen.
• Scales: There is a set of scales for you to weigh your livestock at the end of the tack row outside.
• Tack Pens: Each 4-H Family will be assigned a pen to keep all your tack and feed inside.
• Doors: PLEASE KEEP ALL GATES AND DOORS CLOSED AT THE BARN to keep the pigeons out! The outside barn is sealed but pigeons can get in when people forget to close the gate.1
• Electric Gate: Please do not share the gate code with others. If the gate is broken for any reason please call the office 830-774-7591.