Best Ways To Keep Farm Animals Warm in the Winter
Sooner rather than later, the snow will be on the ground, and the winds will be howling. It can be difficult for your body to handle the winter weather, even if you are in the comfort of your own home. When managing farmland, keeping your livestock safe is vital for you to thrive. Here are some of the best ways to keep farm animals warm in the winter.
Shield Them From Strong Winds
The cold, windy weather can affect your livestock if there isn’t anything there to reduce the frigid air from hitting them. In a wide-open area with no tree line, there’s nowhere for the wind to go. For the animals that prefer living outside, you might want to invest in a portable windbreak. Using a portable version allows you to move it around the farm if the animals are prone to gathering around a specific area.
Provide Adequate Bedding and Shelter
Like human beings, animals need adequate shelter when winter strikes. It’s crucial to provide your livestock with a shed or barn to keep them away from the snow. However, if the structure doesn’t have proper ventilation, it will do more harm than good. Air needs to flow, or else moisture will start to build. One other addition you need to supply is bedding. Combining shelter and bedding provides a toasty atmosphere for your animals.
Other Heating Options
Utilizing additional heating sources helps the animals in unforgiving conditions. However, it also increases the risk of a fire destroying your property and livestock. Thus, you need to be extremely careful if you install a heating system in your barn. With all the hay and straw that’s around, it only takes one spark to ignite a catastrophic fire. A safer option is leaving tubs of hot water in their shelter area. There’s no risk of fire if the only thing involved is water.
Mud Management
Mud management is a skill that any farmer needs to master. Unlike in the summer, when animals need mud to stay warm, wintertime tells a different tale. If your livestock is trudging around in the soil, they waste their energy, causing them to feel colder faster. To avoid mud buildup, move around the feeding areas.
Protein-Rich Diet
A protein-enriched diet keeps your animals full and healthy. More protein tends to heat their bodies more, which is why that’s the best option for feeding your horses and other animals. You can even add some supplements if you have trouble getting them what they need from their diet.
It can be a struggle to get out there every day when the weather isn’t cooperating. When you do some of the best ways to keep farm animals warm in the winter, make sure you dress in plenty of layers so that you don’t end up hurting yourself.
