As North Carolinians bundle up and hunker down across the state for chilly winter weather, it’s also an important time to think about the animals. As most pet owners take special care to ensure their pets are kept toasty in the dropping temperatures, the state’s livestock farmers are also careful to ensure their animals are equipped to deal with changes in temperature.

Union County Farm Bureau Member and large animal veterinarian Jeff Broadaway describes some of the ways livestock owners keep their animals safe in winter weather.

“Cattle are most comfortable in 50 to 70 degree weather,” Broadaway says. “When it gets down into the 30s, they really need access to get out of the wind.”

But Broadaway says that keeping large livestock like cows, horses and sheep indoors isn’t necessary, “If they have a stand of trees to block the wind, that is usually sufficient.”

Broadaway says there are three key components to keeping livestock well-equipped to handle the cold: wind breaks, good nutrition and fresh water, “Most of the time, if they have those things, they can comfortably handle temperatures a lot lower than we can.”

The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Web site advises that farmers also provide adequate shelter during emergency weather situations. Cattle often seek the shelter of a barn or grove of trees in extreme situations such as freezing rain.

Providing fresh water can become an issue if temperatures stay below freezing for extended periods of time. In some cases, it may be necessary to break ice or use a tank heating device to keep water from freezing.

Broadaway also notes that animals that refuse cold water might be more inclined to drink warm water, “If it’s 20 degrees outside, and you have almost frozen water to drink, you probably wouldn’t want to drink much.”

Adequate nutrition is also crucial to animals in the wintertime. “They need a good supply of hay, but sometimes you might have to supplement with grain to make sure they get the energy they need to stay warm,” Broadaway says.

Farms with smaller animals like poultry and swine need to take particular caution in the cold weather, but are usually better equipped to accommodate the animals. “A lot of folks with smaller animals have ready access to shelter, like a barn, or some way to provide cover for them.”

When it comes to keeping the smallest of farm critters—like barn cats and dogs—safe, the same rules apply. “They need shelter, food and water just like the larger animals do,” Broadaway says. “But, you’ll often find that whether you want them to or not, they’ll find a way to get inside and get out of the weather.”

Horses can also be more sensitive to cold than some other large animals. “They can handle the cold, but not the cold and wet,” Broadaway says. Putting a blanket on a horse that is kept in pasture is a good solution.

“In the management of animals, common sense goes a long way,” Broadaway says. “You don’t have to go overboard, though. It’s not always necessary to go above and beyond, and not doing so doesn’t make you a lesser owner. Most livestock are well-equipped to deal with cold weather.”