cows and icey rain

[gwithrow]

for those who are practicing MIG, or rotational grazing, what suggestions does anyone have for an ice storm?....do the cows and calves just stay where they are and get ice covered?....I am more concerned about the calves, that is the mom in me, I guess I want them to get their mittens on.....

they are moving into small paddocks each day, with access to water and minerals and shade in the summer.....however those shade trees will not offer any protection at all in an ice event....in fact they may be dangerous....

should I try to relocate them to an area where there is a barn?.....there is one not too far from where they are now, but if it is not necessary, then I will leave them as is..

so much for gobal warming....it is cold out there....

[Gravytrain]

I had the same concern last week as we had a frigid winter storm coming. The forecast called for 1'-2' of snow and wind chills below -10F. My herd was in a pasture without cover about 1/2 mile away from where I planned their winter sacrifice pasture to be. I've been building a 12'x20' loafing shed on skids for their winter area, but hadn't moved it to that area yet...which was quite a chore.

So I had a choice to make on Sat. morning. Get the winter paddock fencing, shelter, food and water set up...or drain all my water lines/pumps/tanks in the outlying pastures so they all don't freeze and break. Needless to say, I may have to replace some water supply hardware come spring time. On the other hand, my herd is enjoying their club med digs.

[COWS]

Generally, if cows are fed properly they will resist cold weather. The digestive process produces heat and keeps them warm. Feed the cow and she will give milk to the calf. If the calf is old enough to eat feed and hay, so much the better. That said, I've never seen a cow turn down the chance to get under shelter. In bad weather, cows in a pasture with evergreen trees with low limbs seem to seek shelter under them in bad weather.

cows

[ksfarmer]

Healthy , well fed cattle can stand a lot of miserable weather without any problem. They do need extra groceries to produce heat. A sick calf will go down a lot faster in cold wet conditions.

[sammyd]

We overwintered our dairy cattle with no barn most of the time. We did have a hoop house set up so that we could run them in there for icy rainy conditions. Didn't use it often but it was nice to have the option.

[willow_girl]

Remember the rule of 2 out of 3.

A healthy animal can generally withstand exposure to 2 out of 3: cold/wet/wind.

For instance, a healthy animal will be OK on a cold, windy day providing they're able to stay dry.

But all 3 at once will place even a healthy animal in jeopardy.

[copperhead46]

My Dexters will stand out there with ice hanging off their eyelids and ears !! they are just tough, I always offer sheds and windbreaks, but they are just fine. The one thing they have to have, no matter the breed, is plenty of good hay. they will produce heat and stay just fine, but they have to have a full belly.

[DaleK]

Ice isn't so much a worry for being on cows as under them. You don't want them splitting themselves if it gets too icy.