Changes in the weather bring internal metabolic and behavioural changes in animals. Crossbred breeds developed in Bangladesh cannot tolerate cold. Here is how to care for cattle in winter.

Feeding habits: in winter an animal's digestive capacity increases, so milk production and growth also increase. But extra production needs extra energy, so it is important to give cattle more feed in winter. At the same time, remember that constipation is common in cattle in winter. To prevent it, cattle must be given plenty of fibrous feed such as grass and straw.

Water: because less water is needed for bodily functions and because it is very cold, all animals drink less in winter. To overcome this, avoid giving cattle stale cold water stored in tanks, and arrange clean, fresh water for them.

Housing: in winter, block the openings through which cold wind enters with jute sacks, polythene or other means so that cold air does not hit the cattle directly. Cold wind can give cattle pneumonia and other cold-related diseases. If necessary, wrap cattle at night in old blankets, jute sacks or similar material.

Cleanliness: take special care that water or urine does not collect in the cattle shed in the cold and that the floor stays as dry as possible. Use floor mats if needed.

Disease: cattle are more likely to catch pneumonia, coughs and other cold-related diseases in winter, so be especially alert. If any sign of a cold-related problem appears, give first aid quickly. Keep pure honey and a tulsi (holy basil) plant at hand for first aid.

Calf care: newborn calves are the worst affected by the cold. Because their immunity is low, they are the most likely to fall ill from cold-related diseases. In winter, calves must be wrapped in warm cloth and kept in a warm, dry place. If any cold-related problem appears, seek a vet's advice quickly.

Your special care in winter will help keep your farm free from winter problems, and for that your awareness matters most. The information in this article was taken from a community organisation called Bangladesh Gobadi Pashu O Pakhi Khamari Unnayan Sangathan.

Source: Staff Correspondent. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.