Cold Weather Requirements for Animals

It is important to manage farm animals' water, feed, and body condition during the winter. Water should be more available because snow does not count as a water replenishment. Goats should consume around three gallons of water a day and cattle should consume around fourteen gallons. Snow and ice can lower body temperatures for farm animals so it is important that water is available at all times. Tank heaters may be needed if water will freeze because of the temperature. Nutritional requirements also increase during the cold weather. Energy from hay can be used to develop a thick coat for the winter. If hay is not available, grains are acceptable. It is important to do multiple body assessments during the winter because the heavy winter coat can hide any sort of skin abnormalities. It is also important to check the hooves in case of any thrush or white line disease. The mud and wetness increases the likelihood of animals obtaining a hoof fungus. Also, it is important to get the animals' hooves trimmed regularly. Lastly, it is essential that animals remain active even though it is cold outside.