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Farming in the cold isn't for the weak of heart. Learn how to make it a bit better with things we've learned along the way.
I haven't seen the ground in a week because it is covered in deep, fluffy snow. This is the time of year when all of the farmers and ranchers are tested and we all ask ourselves "Is this really worth it?". I continue to trudge on, trying to make my life and the animal's life as easy as possible. In this article, I have included some of the most helpful things I've found to make things go a little bit smoother.
Bjorne, the chicken benefiting from our warm barn and dry sheep, Custer pictured.
It's important to remember that our sheep are born for this weather, and from what I've seen, they handle the cold much better than they do the heat of the summer and the risk of them dying from heat stroke is much higher in our Utah climate than from dying in the cold. That being said, there are still plenty of things you can do to make things go smoother for the both of you.
Dress for the Weather
The first one is a little bit obvious, but before I found the clothing that worked for me and that I really liked, morning and evening chores were a bit more miserable. love my Gor-Tex waterproof pants that slip right over my jeans or business casual to keep the sheep's wet wool from impacting me when they rub up on me. I also have some great muck boots that are pretty tall to keep my feet dry in the winter, but they fold down to shorty boots in the summer. I can wear them all day without blisters, which I love! Also, waterproof gloves are a must! I'm currently trying out several different brands of gloves and have found a fleece-lined deerskin pair that allows decent dexterity while keeping my hands warm.
It's important to remember that our sheep are born for this weather, and from what I've seen, they handle the cold much better than they do the heat of the summer and the risk of them dying from heat stroke is much higher in our Utah climate than from dying in the cold. That being said, there are still plenty of things you can do to make things go smoother for the both of you.
Heated Waterer
We do not have water in the winter in our barn - hopefully, that will change next year, but up until I purchased a heated waterer a few weeks ago, I was running hot water to the animals a couple of times per day to keep their water unthawed. Speaking of water, you might wonder if your sheep can just eat the snow and do you even need to provide water? The short answer is yes, they can just eat the snow, but it takes more energy to melt the snow, and there’s not as much water in it, so you want to make sure that the snow is something that the sheep can eat and they have a good body condition score to expend that extra energy to melt it. I personally prefer to offer water and they do drink it, but I do also see them eating snow from time to time.
Good Quality Food is a must!
One of the best ways to keep your sheep hay warm is good quality hay. We are feeding a local oat hay this year which is working very well for us. From the heat generated from simply breaking down forages, their body will (generate heat) very quickly and help to keep them happy and warm.
Weigh Them Often
It is a good practice to weigh your sheep at least once a month. This can give you a glimpse into their health how they are weathering the winter and if you need to make any changes to your feeding plans. It should always be a concern if your sheep are losing weight and should be investigated immediately. I try to keep my sheep at a body condition score of around 3.5 during the wintertime.
Keep it Clean and Dry
Finally, and most importantly, sheep need a draft-free place to get out of bad weather. We have a sheep shed that offers deep, dry, straw bedding. They sleep in here most nights, but are out and about during the day. This is key in really nasty weather. I've found it's not the cold that gets them, it's not the precipitation, but it's all of those things combined with the wind.
Fingers Freezing? Not anymore
Hopefully, some of our top tips help you to keep your sheep warm and happy this winter! Enjoy that perception, we need it!
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