Animal welfare during winter

Winter madness and our beloved animals

Wintertime brings challenges for all of us, including our animals. Though it is well-known that animals are hardier than us humans, it is still a different season for them as well. People tend to stay inside, wear warm clothes, turn on the heat and eat warm food. But what do animals do? They need to survive and, depending on their location and what species they are, will adapt differently.

New Zealand has a range of temperatures during the winter months. Some regions will experience snow and very cold temperatures, whereas other areas are milder. Many animals remain and stay active in the winter and adapt to the changing weather by making changes in their behaviour or bodies. To keep warm, they may grow thicker fur. Some rabbits’ fur changes to white so they can blend in with the snow. Many animals prepare for the winter by storing up food to eat later. Other animals, like rabbits and deer, spend winter looking for bark, leaves, moss and twigs. Some animals eat different kinds of food as the seasons change. A staple, consistent diet is a basic need.

What about farm animals — cows, horses, sheep, goats, pigs and dogs? In the winter, horses, cattle and sheep grow their own winter coats. As days get shorter, horses and cows grow long, coarse hair all over their bodies. They can fluff up these long hairs when they are cold, and it traps warm air against their bodies and helps to keep them warm.

Most ungulates (i.e., hoofed animals like deer, sheep and cattle) and a few others have no discomfort with temperatures around freezing. Their digestive systems produce a great deal of metabolic heat; so, combined with a hair-covered skin, they remain quite comfortable. Horses seem to adapt to maintaining a balanced heating/cooling situation and may even prefer temperatures around -5°C!

Challenges can arise when there is plentiful rainfall that often turns areas into wet, muddy fields.   Animal health and welfare issues can emerge if animals are kept for prolonged periods in this state.  Poor hoof health, lameness, increased risk of mastitis, reduced production and inability for proper rest and rumination can occur. These issues are all detrimental to the physical and mental health of the animal.

An important consideration is shelter and the need for protection from wind and wet conditions. When an animal’s hair gets wet, it is harder for the hair to trap warm air around them. Fitted animal blankets or throw-overs on horses and goats are a common sight in the field. Many farms have wintering barns, sheds or stables for the animals when the temperatures drop. Farmers testify that, despite the initial financial outlay, these buildings are beneficial for the health and well-being of their animals.

It is essential that your animals have dry bedding during the winter, and there are products on the market that can help provide support. NaturClean, an ultra-absorbent, granular bedding conditioner with natural absorbency and pH adjustment, results in lower bacterial levels in animal bedding. It is made from natural ingredients, including desiccated seaweed lithothamnium and yucca, and helps to:

1. Reduce and remove moisture and ammonia.
2. Provide a dry, clean environment.
3. Reduce risk of bacterial infection and disease.
4. Increase animal comfort.

NaturClean creates a safe environment for the operator and any livestock and is particularly suitable in calving pens, equine stables and floats, goat pens and for smaller house pets. Distributed in New Zealand by Alltech (NZ) Limited, call us on 0800 ALLTECH for more information. 

With the onset of winter, farmers and riders will ensure their animals’ welfare is on their TO DO LIST, as the link between business profitability and animal performance is very real.