Prepare livestock for winter’s worst 

By KARI KRAMER | East Texas Edition

Horses, and most livestock, will grow a thick coat for severe winter weather, but a shelter or a wind break are good. -- Staff photo by Lori Cope

Dec. 29, 2005 - With temperatures dipping to near-freezing marks more often, livestock owners should begin contemplating how they will care for their stock during the winter months.

January is the coldest month, on average, for Texas, as well as the rest of the United States. Temperatures will regularly dip into the 40s, which may require some special steps to be taken to ensure the well-being of livestock.

Cattle, horses, pigs, and sheep and goats all have specific needs, some of which can be applied to all types of livestock.

Wayne Becker, Cooke County Extension agent, said regardless of the type of livestock, they will need water. “In cold weather, it can be days before water thaws out.”

Many feed stores carry stock tank heaters. These heaters should be tested regularly to ensure they are working properly. A tank heater that is malfunctioning can discourage animals from drinking. Becker also recommended insulating pipes and faucets to minimize freezing.

Besides water, livestock will need the best forage during the coldest times. He suggested having a forage analysis done. “I think the most common problem is feeding of a poor quality forage and thinking it’s good enough.”

Worming and vaccinations schedules should be followed as a precaution, according to Becker.

Though many parasites routinely die-out during persistent cold temperatures, they can be reintroduced.

Van Zandt County Extension Agent Brian Cummins said hay quality this year should prompt some parasitic concerns.

�Internal parasite control - with the hay shortage we�ve got - is one thing we need to watch,� he said.

Most cattle in the area are naturally equipped to survive Texas winters, but Becker said a good step in preparation for winter may be culling some of the herd.

�People don�t have enough hay, so some people need to be looking at their herd and seeing which ones (animals) they can do without,� explained Becker.

He said animals in poor health or that shows signs of weakness may be prime candidates for culling.

Once a herd size to carry through the winter is chosen, there are several details involved in the process.

Specifically, Cummins cautioned that certain breeds may require additional care during the winter, such as herds with an increased Brahman influence. “They are more adapted to heat than cold,” he said.

As with all cattle, Cummins advised checking on herds daily. In order to help the cattle maintain body condition, Cummins suggested providing the cattle with extra energy sources.

�Something like some grain,� he said. �Let them warm themselves from the inside out.�

While the extra grain may cost extra, Cummins said it’s worth the cost. Without additional energy, body conditions can drop, and poor body conditions after winter can have a negative affect on the calf crop the following year.

�You either pay now, or pay later,� explained Cummins.

Nutrition should be a primary concern for cattle owners.

�Make sure adequate minerals are out,� recommended Cummins. �Those cows still need adequate amounts of phosphorus and copper - just a good mineral program.�

Becker said young cattle should be watched, especially in areas with low-level and mucky ponds. The animals get stuck and “it’s quite easy to lose some cattle,” said Becker. He said additional fencing may be required if stock will be kept in those areas.

Several agents suggested watching body conditions and attitudes. Drooping ears, running noses, watery eyes, and poor hair coats are all signs the winter management program is not adequate.

Horses, used for a variety of activities, can be treated differently. Horse owners must make decisions early on about how they will care for their horses during the winter months.

As an example, Becker said a horse that has been kept in a stable and stall should not be turned out just as winter approaches.

The issue of using horse blankets should be decided upon early in the season.

According to Equisearch.com and Dr. Melissa Hower-Moritz, some horses may require blankets while others will not. Cold and wet temperatures may prompt blanket use on horses with even the thickest winter coats. Any horse that is shivering should be blanketed, according to the article.

Show horse owners may prefer to use horse blankets beginning early in the season in order to discourage the growth of a winter coat. If this practice is used, the horse should be allowed proper shelter and blanket use for the remainder of the winter season.

A horse that is going to be worked in the winter can be blanketed occasionally to keep the winter coat from coming in too thick, and horses that will not be worked should be allowed access to the elements in order to grow a thick winter coat.

Veterinarian R. Dean Scoggins said horses exposed to wet conditions, or have been sweating, should be combed afterwards, (with the hair standing up), to keep hair from chilling on their bodies.

Scoggins added horses that will not be ridden and worked during the winter may benefit from having their shoes removed in order to allow for better traction on slippery and snowy surfaces, if those conditions occur.

Becker said horses may require some additional food sources during the winter.

�On the cold days, a little extra energy will help them out, because they do use more energy trying to stay warm,� he explained.

In addition, he said “a big belly doesn’t mean the horse is fat.” Poor forages will not move through a horses system as quickly as others, giving the illusion of a fat or healthy horse. But in reality, “it’s not moving through the animal,” he said.

Smaller animals may not fare as well during the winter. Cummins said pigs, especially young pigs, may need a source of heat during the coldest portions of the winter.

When snow or slush builds up, a path should be made from the pig house to feed and water locations to help swine move easily between the places.

Goats and sheep can fare well in winter if proper steps are taken.

Hopkins County Extension Agent for 4-H and Youth Development Sotero Ramirez said forage is a primary concern for goats also.

�Be cautious of feeding alfalfa hay,� he said. �The nutrient level isn�t exactly what it needs to be for sheep and goats.�

He explained that alfalfa is high in phosphorus and if it will be fed, a supplement containing calcium should be included in the diet in order to maintain the desired 2:1 calcium-to-phosphorus ratio.

He said when cold weather persists, parasites may not be such a threat because most goat parasites die after three persistent days of cold weather.

Soterro said goats will do well where some shelter is provided. Without proper shelter, respiratory problems can occur, and are evident with the appearance of cloudy eyes, lowered ears, and droopy heads.

All types of livestock will need adequate shelter to maintain health during the winter.

�If (animals) can, avoid the north wind,� said Becker. �For mature livestock, a good wind break is sufficient.�

Wind breaks can come in the form of structures, like barns, to tree groves, and even stacks of hay. 

Horses should be given plenty of room out of the elements.

�In the case of horses, the more compact they are, the more likely they are to hurt each other,� Becker explained.

Pigs, goats and sheep, and other small livestock will do well in their usual houses and sheds, so long as they are dry and out of the wind.

�The weaker the livestock, the more shelter they�ll need,� explained Becker. �And I can say that the younger animals will have a harder time.�