Can you think it ? We ’ve reach the beginning of January ! While each time of year bring its own good and bad points , the insensate weather can be a challenge for me . When I ’m cold , it ’s hard for me to get motivated and get to work . ButwhenI’ve made smart choicesand prepared myself in front of time for the job at hand , whether that be caring for cattle or performing other farm chore , I run best in winter .
While our Bos taurus might be more suited for the outdoor wintertime temperature than we are , thebitter temperatures , bite windand blinding snow ( although that does n’t happen too often here ) can still be unpleasant for them . count on what stock of oxen you have and where they originate from , some can be more large-minded of nasty condition than others . But with some proper care and preparation done in the lead of clip , you’re able to make your fauna much more comfortable throughout the harsh winter day .
Here are some matter to keep in mind and mistakes to avoid as you consider care for your own cattle during the wintertime months .
Weather
Although you ca n’t do much to change the weather conditions themselves , you could shape extra firmly to protect your herd from the elements . Days that deviate greatly in temperature with too - hot daylight hours and too - moth-eaten nights can be some of the grueling for cattle to manage .
Wet conditions can also be a challenge , specially if there ’s no wry place for them to lie down . If you find that it ’s especially stiff and cold outdoors , some ways to assist them get by include :
Water
While cattle desperately need piss during the summer as they battle through the toasty months , it ’s also exceedingly significant to keep a near eye on the water provision during the wintertime as well . Even though there might be water in the armored combat vehicle , it might be stick under several column inch of ice-skating rink . pool can freeze out over , water fountain can malfunction , and broth storage tank can become pulley block of ice .
For frozen pool , it ’s helpful to keep an ax or other instrument handy to chop up approachable drinking holes through the glass . For urine fountains , check them on a regular basis to ensure that the heating elements are doing their Job and keep any necessary supernumerary parts on hand for quick reparation .
If putting water in a ancestry tank , it can be good to deflect satiate it completely full so that it wo n’t suspend solid at the top .
Feed
Cattle “ burn ” through a lot of feed when it ’s really cold out of doors as they fundamentally eat to stay warm . Feed ration can be adjusted as need to help meet their nutritional requirements during the colder months .
Keep well stocked with good quality hay and grain , and avoid waiting until it ’s getting cold to go purchase provender .
Bedding
At times if it is quite cold out , straw bales can be roll out on the ground for the cattle to lie in down in . The straw acts as insulation and can even be used out in a calving eatage if calves are being born and need a place to lay .
When it come to farting , offer a twist - block or some protect place where fauna can get a break from the breaking wind .
Calving
Speaking ofcalving , if your cow herd has early “ outpouring calves ” toward the beginning of the twelvemonth , not only will you necessitate to be regularly keeping on top of their normal needs such as provender , water supply and tribute from the component , but you ’ll want to watch out for any other potential scourge to the unexampled calves as well .
These threats can be in the shape of anything from a strong-arm hazard in the pasture ( like a ditch with rooted water that a calf could become trap in ) , to an inexperient heifer that does n’t get the calfskin clean off and breast feeding in time , or even a thirsty predator that is hoping to catch its next meal in your calving pasture . Regularly check in to make certain that all babies are accounted for and hopefully warmly nursing justly under mama .
As you raise and care for your cattle year after year , you ’ll become more wonted to what their motivation will be , where your most vulgar problems often arise , and what you may do to become comfortably fain for them .
So catch an superfluous pair of long johns and wrap that scarf a niggling tight . You ’ve find cattle to feed !
