Making sure your animals have consistent, effective access to water can be a challenge during the winter months.
An article by the University of Kentucky’s Master Grazer program notes water consumption requirements as a key consideration when evaluating a winterized watering system.
“Factors that affect water intake include environmental temperature, feed moisture, body size and level of milk production. A lactating beef cow in the summer on a 90º F day will drink 16 gallons of water, while during a 40º F day in December the same cow would consume less – approximately 11 gallons.”
The same article includes a helpful table to evaluate the potential consumption for cattle and small ruminants.
Most agree that water temperature should be roughly 37º to 65º. “The rumen operates at 101º – 102º; ingesting extremely cold water can decrease digestion until the water warms to body temperature” (https://tinyurl.com/kyhatwtv).
Some may gravitate toward natural bodies of water to water their livestock, but ponds, streams, etc. can be hard to regulate and require a lot of maintenance throughout winter – especially if the farmer operates in an area with lots of snow and ice accumulation.
Most that are watering their animals outdoors will utilize larger stock tanks. A flow valve is necessary to curtail ice buildup, and if the feeding site has accessible electrical access, a plug-in heater or heat tape can be utilized.
It’s important to check for stray voltage; the unwelcome electrical current can discourage livestock from drinking.
“Products that utilize electricity, such as immersible tank heaters and heated buckets, should be checked with a voltmeter to ensure there is no current running through the water. Any electrical current will deter animals from drinking from the water tank or bucket. By inserting one end of the voltmeter in the water tank and the other into the ground, you will get a reading that will indicate if there is a problem,” said Katie Ockert with MSU Extension (https://tinyurl.com/42c83m6t).
From a maintenance standpoint (and safety for you and your animals), it’s important that any outdoor troughs or stock tanks drain well, to prevent ice or mud buildup (relative to the temperature outdoors) around the feeding/watering area.
Most in the homesteading market won’t be using a larger stall/tie-stall setup that one would find in a traditional larger livestock barn or dairy barn. (Plumbed water bowls are relatively easy to police during a freeze; a visit one-by-one down the line with a heat gun will usually do the trick). In most cases, this clientele will be utilizing freestanding tanks or troughs – so across the board, you’re going to be looking at an investment in some type of heating element.
Most of these pieces – immersible heaters, heat tape, etc. – are available through local farm and outdoor outfitters. Investing in a quality product will be worth every penny when you can have the peace of mind that your animals are receiving the water that they need.
Country Culture’s own Liz Friers had this to say about her experiences on her farm: “I live on a generational farm, which, as tends to happen, is aging. Some of the buildings are old or outdated with only a single water source. We have transitioned herd sizes throughout the years and added sheep, pigs and various poultry types. With all of these factors at play, watering livestock in winter brings its own challenges. No longer do massive ruminants heat the barn’s air like they used to. The chickens and turkeys can’t keep up; the sheep would far rather remain outside until they are forced in. Frost-free hydrants and heated water buckets/bowls with tank heaters in the larger water tanks have become absolute life savers when the temperature decides to dance with Jack Frost.”
The investment in good quality product and infrastructure can be worth every penny for your farm or homestead.
by Andy Haman with Elizabeth Friers
