Keeping Your Livestock Warm in the Winter

Even though you’re not planting or working the fields during the winter months, there’s still work to be done around the farm. That includes taking the time to pay some extra attention to your livestock. You can’t put them in storage and then forget about them like you would your equipment and one of the toughest issues you’ll face is keeping them warm. Even if you have a state-of-the-art barn or stable with flawless insulation, once the cold wind starts to blow, there’s a good chance your livestock will still start to shiver.

This guide from Magnum Power offers some advice on how to protect your livestock from the cold. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us! Magnum Power is your destination for farm equipment in Lawson, MO, serving Clay County and Kansas City.

Shelter

Of course, having a place to escape the cold is a key part of keeping your livestock healthy and happy during the winter. Hopefully, you’ve already patched up any holes in your barns and stables to try and limit the amount of cold air that gets in. If this isn’t enough, there might be additional features you can add to help increase warmth, like a windbreak. Windbreaks are essentially fences that aren’t designed to contain livestock but rather block the wind from hitting them full force. This can be particularly helpful in an area where you allow the animals to exercise during the winter. 

Hydration

Of course, plenty of water is always a must. Staying hydrated is a good way to combat dehydration due to sweating. Don’t rely on the snow to act as a secondary water source. Snow holds a deceptive amount of water, and a cup of snow might only result in a few ounces of real water. To keep your livestock hydrated, you must provide water as you normally would.

Just Let Nature Do Its Thing

Here’s the deal. Winter comes along once every year. That’s given Mother Nature and livestock genetics plenty of time to figure out how to survive and even thrive in extreme temperatures. Odds are, even without your help, your livestock have a few tricks up their sleeve that’ll help them stay warm. They’ll automatically gravitate towards warm spots and their coats offer excellent insulation. If the snow is settling on your livestock, that’s a good thing! It means its body is retaining heat the way it’s supposed to. You’ll want to pay close attention to an animal covered in melted snow. Their body is releasing heat, which can lead to excessive sweating, moisture, and, ultimately, hypothermia. 

We hope you found these tips helpful. If you need more advice on keeping your animals warm, you are always welcome to consult the experts here at Magnum Power. We serve customers from all over Clay County at our farm equipment dealership in Lawson, MO.