Clean, dry bedding for your animals

• Date: 23 June 2021
• Published date: 23 June 2021
• Publication title: Central Rural Life

Although it is well-known animals are hardier than 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. What then 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 food to eat later. Other animals such as 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. The animals can fluff up these long hairs when they are cold. The long hair traps warm air against their bodies and helps to keep them warm.

Most ungulates (hoofed animals) such as 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 -5degC!

Challenges can arise when there is plentiful rainfall that often turns areas into wet, muddy fields. Animal health and welfare issues can arise 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 result. These issues are all detrimental to the physical and mental...