Right management of livestock in winter a must, says expert

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, December 17

In Punjab, there is an extreme of metrological variation where recorded temperature deepens down even in minus degrees during December and January. Like humans, animals also need special care during extreme weather, he said.

Dr DS Malik HoD, Livestock Production Management, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU) said three aspects required much attention in this season ie environment modification through proper shelter management, improving body reserves through nutritional management and proper health care.

“Curtains should be used in the animal sheds as well. Curtains can be made from tarpaulin, bamboo, dry grass, paddy straw, guinea bags, jute, etc. Shady trees around the shed should be trimmed to encourage the infiltration of sunlight in the shed, which will not only provide warmth but will also disinfect the animal sheds due to action of ultraviolet rays,” he said.

Furthermore, animals should be permitted under direct sun exposure during daytime in open paddocks. Animal’s shed and its floor should not remain wet and cool for longer periods of time. This may expose the animals, especially younger ones, to various ailments like pneumonia, fever, coccidiosis, diarrhoea and even death in severe cases, he added.

Dr Malik suggested that suitable bedding up to a depth of 4-6 inches in large animals and 2 inches for smaller animals should be provided on puccaa (concrete) floor as direct contact of animal with cold floor will leads to more body heat loss through conduction. Paddy straw, dry grass, wheat bhusa, saw dust, rice husk etc. could be used as bedding material. Jhuls (clothing) made up of gunny bags may also be used on larger animals to provide them insulation and warmth during extreme winter season.

Good ventilation must be ensured during winters. Shed should be cleaned at least twice in a day for proper disposal of wastes and minimum piling up of ammonia gases.

Animals should be cleaned regularly with clean cloth or some brush. Hairs of animals should not be clipped during winters. Bathing of animals with cold water during winter should be avoided, he said.

Keeping a watch on animal diet

• Animals should be provided with good nutritious and balanced diet during winters. 
• Berseem, most abundantly available green fodder, has high protein percentage and water content, can easily support production level of lactating and growing animals. Accordingly protein containing ingredients, ie, cakes in concentrates shall be reduced for economical production.
• The sequence of various types of cake to be used may be in order of mustard cake, cotton seed cake, groundnut cake and soybean flakes.
• If there is shortage of green fodder, then 25-30 kg of leguminous fodder can be mixed with 5-10 kg of wheat bhusa for feeding larger animals. In addition to this 3 kg of concentrate mixture will be sufficient to maintain the body temperature. If fodder is not scarce, then 40 to 50 kg of good quality green fodder will be sufficient to maintain the production up to 10 litres of milk in cattle and buffaloes.
• To avoid incidents of nitrate toxicity and bloat in winter, the leguminous fodders should be mixed with either non legumes or wheat bhusa.
• One should never forget to incorporate 2% mineral mixture and 1% salt in concentrate feed during winters. It should be purchased from reputed manufacturers.
• Clean, fresh, lukewarm water should be offered to the animals during winters.