Shelter from The Storm

[lonecowhand]

 Hi all you Dexter Breeders in Cold country!   I am wondering what you provide (or don't )  for protection and comfort for your cows in winter ?

 Do they come into a barn at night? Do they huddle like Yaks in the open? Do you see them looking longingly into your windows?

  Happy cows in California lay out in the sun  by the pool!

[otf]

We have a couple of small port-a-huts that the calves really love; we originally bought them for donkeys. We also have a large hay barn for round bales and on the end facing the pasture, there's a gate that can be opened to give them access to the section with no hay (corral panels keep them away from the bales); this section is about 14x40, just enough for them to get out of the wind (used during last year's polar vortex) and they sure took advantage of it. I wish it were larger, but at least they've got something in case of extreme cold, wet, or wind. I can feed square bales in there if needed. Maybe I can get photos.

[genebo]

I've seen otf's facilities and tended to pattern mine after hers.

I have a barn with an open center and a shed roof on the side. Cattle come there during high winds and other inclement weather, but for the most pat they seek out the shelter of trees, if any. Lots of times they act as if the weather is fine, even though it's horrible to me.

It's important not to put them in an enclosed area where there is not enough ventilation. They just need a place out of the wind that is safe from hail and falling limbs.

Fresh flowing water is essential during the winter.

[Deleted]

Gene you should move 10 hrs north. Unless you have Hans coat like the cows
do I will need a better area of shelter but not enclosed totally. Although I
am concerned with our new barn all concrete 3' high. Have lots of ventilation
and openings each pen and end of barn. Nancy and I will be 400' from barn in open
area too. Will be quite a change from 100' feet in woods brrr! Hans you are further
north what do you do for you ?

[lakeportfarms]

I go out and build a giant igloo      No, not really.  They have windbreaks, and we do have a calving barn with three stalls.  It's getting to be a challenge with as many cows as we have now, I tell Sheril it's like a cheap motel with hourly rates they're in and out so fast.  For the younger calves I use collapsible pallet containers upside down with one of the doors open.  They get multiple uses, we also put our mini silky fainting goats in them when they're kidding, and I use them out in the pasture to collect wood that we trim off the apple trees, to later be cut up into firewood for the wood stove.  I usually just pick them up and move them around so they are on fresh ground, and then put a little straw down.  I usually face the opening to the South, but last winter all of the really cold blasts of air we were getting the wind was from the Southwest...I didn't know what to do, because our cold winds usually come from the Northwest, and our heavy snow comes with North and Northeast winds off the lake.  I couldn't move them either, because they were frozen to the ground, and buried up to the top with snow.  

For the most part they do just fine in the cold weather with snow.  I feel the worst for them when we get a cold rain, and then the temperature plummets to way below freezing.  I did have one cow lose the tip of her ear last winter, and we've had a couple of calves get a little frostbite on their ears, but other than that no issues.  I believe the herd is healthier overall left outside as much as possible with the entire property to roam around in and find their own areas to be comfortable.

Our Highlands? Well some of you have probably seen the photos of them in the snow up to their chins.  I actually put them in fairly exposed areas during the winter, and their hair coat gets pretty impressive in the process.  I hadn't noticed much of a winter coat on them yet this fall, but I attribute that to our cool summer and that they hadn't lost as much hair as they usually do. Yesterday when I was out feeding them I noticed it was coming in quickly.






Lest some of you think I'm a bit mean, I do have a soft side:

[Deleted]

Hans I have actually been inside a igloo and they are not that bad.
I still think that highlander coat would be great Gene could wear it when
he moves north.

[Deleted]

I am with hans on this one. a barn works for a few but no way we can shelter a growing herd. I do have a barn and they can all fit in there but that is not what happens. A few go in and lay or stand in the door way and no one else goes in. 
I do have an elderly cow that I lock in at night when it gets real bad.
the rest have a wind block and that is it.
I calve in march/April so not to bad at that time. If it is bad I dont have to many going at once so I will put them in as needed. This year I am going to build some portable A frame huts for young calves to get out of the weather in the spring. Keeping them short enough that no adults can go in them.

[lakeportfarms]

These are what we use. All you have to do is hold the one door open with something and they scoot under, and have a nice space that the cows can't get to. These are new, but you can find them on Craigslist sometimes for 50-100 bucks. They come in a variety of sizes. We probably have more of them around here though because of the auto industry in the Detroit area, and all the associated parts suppliers. They have a multitude of uses for other times of the year too.

www.uline.com/Product/Detail/H-1214BL/Bulk-Containers/Collapsible-Black-Bulk-Container-48-x-45-x-34?pricode=WY527&gadtype=pla&id=73107367522&gclid=Cj0KEQjwh96hBRCnsefbvZrKrpcBEiQAF7oMdD6ONZgQPfcAXp69zZrYmkf20cnBdK7g6wwhi0QpeRgaAtu48P8HAQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

[lonecowhand]

Hans , those are some impressive photos, I can see how well that highland coat insulates, their body heat won't even melt the snow! And, lest we think you're too soft, I do notice that the carpet is not down yet where you let the calf in to warm up!

Thanks everyone so far on the shelter tips. Happy Cow joking aside, Northern California is no Beach. It can be cold rain for 3 months straight, and have ground hugging Tule Fog that chills you to the bone.
(I know, I know, Waah!)
What kind of windbreaks are you referring to? You mean like one wall, or like an open shed?

[genebo]

You will not find me moving north. I freeze enough in Virginia winters. I'm the kind of guy that would move to Florida.

That won't happen, either, because I consider where I live to be Paradise. Anybody that feels the need to come south for the winter should come by here. A little hot chocolate, some Dexter stories, a pasture visit with the Dexters, and you'll be rejuvenated.

I worry about the Dexters that are being taken from their home at Paradise Farm to colder places. I hope there is still time for them to prepare. Colorado mountains, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Verginia hills and northern Virginia. None went south.

[lakeportfarms]

Just the first two photos are the Highlands. The third and fourth are the Dexters. They get a lot of hair here too for the winter months (and seem to keep it until early July). There have been times I've gone out after a fresh snow of a foot or two, and seen lumps of white snow on the pasture where it is usually flat. Then the lumps hear me and get up for their food. It's the Highlands.

No carpet. It's going to be hardwood. It's still not done, that will be a project for this winter.

As I mentioned, it's the cold rain that seems to bother them the most. The lakes keep it cloudy for much of the winter, but when we do get the occasional blue skies sunny day here with fresh snow on the ground and biting cold after a storm, I love to go out and see them all standing broadside to the sun to soak up the warmth.

[Deleted]

I have really enjoyed this post and the milking post it has made me
remember things lost in my confused mind.
Gene brings up a good point on the effect of stress on animals (and us)
during moves and where they move. Hans with his portable shelters.
Putting in new water lines to barn and pasture today at new house.
6' deep then a layer of straw 4' dirt then electric line straw layer
and fill and pray nothing freezes.

[lakeportfarms]

Put your electric down right with the pipe. I actually taped it to the PVC. I go over these areas with the tractor sometimes in the spring and when the frost is coming out of the ground my tractor tires can easily go down a foot into the mud, then I have to go over them with the disc and you don't want to take chances with the wire being too close to the surface. At 6' down you'll be fine in your neck of the woods from freezing. I'd suggest metal barbed connectors if you can find them easily enough rather than the plastic ones.

[wvdexters]

We built our new barn with winter weather and taking care of our dexters in mind.  Most of it is used for hay storage but the right side is kept open for the dexters; much like otf's.  We do most of our haying in the pasture/round bales, but the front has a small built in feeder we can use if we need to.  We have electric for lights and the water line is freeze proof and buried deep in the ground. You can see from the picture we built it with space between the boards for good air circulation. It keeps the wind off in the winter and stays pretty nice inside.

They spend most of the winter in this little pasture.  It is close to our homes, protected and flat ground.  (something we don't have a lot of here LOL)  We open the barn during bad weather, heavy snow or like Hans mentioned ice.   They rarely use it though and usually choose to stay outside. 

Last year I was so worried when we saw that polar vortex coming.  I bundled up head to toe and about froze getting everything ready and watching over them.   We hit -15F during the night and the days were only a few degrees above 0 for a while.  I was amazed when they chose not to use the barn and stayed outside instead.  They all bedded down close together in the field using the big round bale as a windbreak.   They sure did pack in the hay that week though.  We made sure they had all they could need of our very best hay to keep their bellies full and keep them warm. 

[lakeportfarms]

Oct 10, 2014 23:29:15 GMT genebo said:

You will not find me moving north. I freeze enough in Virginia winters. I'm the kind of guy that would move to Florida.

That won't happen, either, because I consider where I live to be Paradise. Anybody that feels the need to come south for the winter should come by here. A little hot chocolate, some Dexter stories, a pasture visit with the Dexters, and you'll be rejuvenated.

I worry about the Dexters that are being taken from their home at Paradise Farm to colder places. I hope there is still time for them to prepare. Colorado mountains, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Verginia hills and northern Virginia. None went south.

That sounds really tempting Gene.  Rather than sending your Dexters off to far flung places, perhaps Sheril and I (and about 130 of our closest friends) can come visit you from December to April, and we can take care of all the Paradise Dexters at the same time.  I'm sure you have enough Dexter stories to tell...lol

[Donlin Stud]

Hi All
We have what we call shelters but I think that’s more an aussie term – I think I was corrected once with the word ‘Run To’ ?!?

Anyways they are three sided with roof constructions placed in each paddock. Treated pine has corrugated iron (Colourbond sheeting) attached to it and gees, with ‘the bloke’ a carpenter they have even strapping and extra supports etc – they don’t move even when ‘tapped’, and I say tapped with the skidsteer when cleaning them out. (I will never live that down !)

We usually fill the bottom with straw but we have begun replacing the straw with river sand instead. And because of this we are also extending the roof line a little to ensure the spring and summer sun doesn’t shine down on the sand at the entrance, heating it to blistering temps.
Sand is cleaner, easier to maintain and as all the shelters are facing north the sand will capture the low winter sun heating it up to provide a warm place to rest.

We get terribly cold and skin piecing westerly and southerly winds throughout winter. The colourbond sheeting allows us to remove the top row from all three sides during summer allowing the cool coastal easterly breeze to go through.

And as for the moos using them? Well one day last year we were sitting on the verandah watching the moos do their grazing thing as coastal rain clouds appeared over the mountain ranges.

Then we watched the showers approaching from the east. As soon as it started to sprinkle, the 5 boys ran – and I mean ran to their shelter.

We laughed and couldn’t believe our big brave boys were actually fairy-breads when it came to a little water falling from the sky since the girls and calves were still happily doing their thing in the paddocks.

All of a sudden the showers became suddenly rain. The girls and bubs then made a dash for their shelter on the rise behind the house while from the boys shelter there wasnt even a nose sticking out.

Herd growth? We have extended the main shelter (the girls) twice and we have extended the boys once because we didnt take into account the senior bull and his offsider wanting the penthouse when resting. Much more space allowed the younger guys to get in comfortably without intimidation.

Our other shelters are in purpose smaller paddocks like the “mat pad” (maternity ward) it has three separate small shelters and the honeymoon suite shelter is large enough for a boy and up to 5 girls.

So thats us from Oz where it doesnt snow but sometimes we think it would be warmer given those winter winds.

[genebo]

Donna,

It's easy to tell from your writings that you are enjoying your Dexters.

[Deleted]

Hans I hate to ask but how is Mike ? Gene will you and Breen be
ready for the cooler weather?
Had a hard frost Sunday morning so we buried the water line without
the auto waters. Bought 100' rolls and put frost free hydrant at
joint. 10" of straw and filled. Hate doing things twice but better
get ready and worry about bells and wistles latter.

[lakeportfarms]

Happy to hear the water lines went in. You probably had time before the ground freezes, but this time of year the biggest issue seems to be with wet ground, and trying to get it backfilled adequately.

Mike is still out eating grass, but I'll probably have to do something in the next couple of weeks. Can't have him go through another winter...

[Donlin Stud]

Oh Hans that will be one of your hardest days

[genebo]

Hans,

It is going to be a tough decision. You will have to be tough. Call me if you want some support.

Brenn is still getting around. Fixing it so he won't have any breeding duties for the next 9 months will give him the time they say it will take him to heal. It's up to him to heal his foot. He made progress this week. He grazed freely every day and filled out his stomach. He was able to entertain visitors on Tuesday. I'm pulling for him.

[lonecowhand]

otf, I would be interested in your layout, if you find time to get photos. Also am interested in the porta-huts. I know this is the hurry-and-get-it-done season, so I won't hold my breath. Thanks

[otf]

I'll do what I can with photos, please be pat, okay?

We have Ritchie automatic waterers, which make life easier for the cows AND me (especially me) until we get ice or freezing rain and it builds up around the plastic balls on the waterers (though I have seen one of our cows use her horn to push the ball down to get to the water). I like having water available to them full time, even though they have to work for it with the auto waterers; they much prefer a heated trough that they can access more easily. Too bad, eh?

I read somewhere that wind, cold, and wet is rough on them in any combination of two (cold and wet, wet and windy, etc). When the weather gets REALLY nasty, I put them in the pasture that has access to the big hay barn where they can get out of the weather. They would still have a round bale outside, but I can also give them square bales inside if needed. The 12' door opening is wide open so they can come and go as they please, but I've noticed that calves like to lie down in a corner of this barn out of the weather. Perhaps they are spoiled (and compared to cattle in Colorado, Nebraska, the Dakotas, etc., they are). But I've found that if they have access to a shelter in harsh weather, they use it! This particular pasture has plenty of grass but no auto waterer, so when they're in this pasture I must provide a Rubbermaid 100 gallon trough with a heater. They have to walk a short distance to get to this trough, but seem willing to do it when necessary. I keep the hose inside a barn during the winter and am diligent about draining all water from it after using it so it doesn't freeze up on me. If the hose freezes up, I dip it into the heated trough so that the ice melts and the hose works.

I'll try to post more if you tell me specifically what you are interested in knowing. I need to get photos of the port-a-huts and pray that Photobucket will not make my life difficult.

[Deleted]

Ok here we go. Prediction of 1 - 2" SNOW Friday afternoon and night with a low of 24.
Hope we still have a indian summer.

[lakeportfarms]

Enjoy that snow Blessings Farms! We will probably just get a cold rain here, the wind is due to blow off the lake (gale warnings out), so the relatively mild waters will warm the air temperature enough to keep it from turning to snow. The forecast was that 20 or so miles inland should see some snow. You can laugh at me though when we get a really cold blast and those warm waters turn into a snow making machine here!

For those of you who haven't been around the Great Lakes, the winters are the strangest thing sometimes. The wind off the lakes under certain conditions sets up streamers of snow squalls that often stay relatively stationary for hours at a time. If you happen to be under one of those streamers, you can receive snow measured in feet in a 24 hour period and blizzard conditions. And if you're 30 miles away from one of those streamers, you can have bright sunny skies during the same time, though usually you'll get occasional snow squalls mixed with sunny skies.

[genebo]

Hans,

You almost make your winter sound appealing to me, cold-natured though I am.

I know your part of the world is pretty, because I once flew a commuter plane into Traverse City while the cherry trees were in bloom. It was gorgeous!

[wvdexters]

We'll probably be getting a cold rain here too, maybe a few flurries. But they keep changing the forecast so we'll have to wait and see. Whatever it is, it won't be much I don't think. Nothing like that 8 or so in we got a couple yrs ago for the end of Oct.

[lakeportfarms]

Yes Gene, it's a beautiful state, with the lakes, fall colors, deep winter snows. My father in law has a couple hundred acres and a cabin near Traverse City. He'll be spending time there in a couple weeks with one of his sons and some good friends at the start of firearm deer season. He doesn't go much in the winter now for snowmobiling, but Sheril and I will go from time to time to do some skiing.

Since deer season starts soon, it's time for Mike to go. Sheril and I were going to just put him down and bury him here on the farm, but we decided we'll take him in to our Mennonite processor, and donate the hamburger to somebody that would appreciate it. He's gotten pretty fat from being on such green lush pastures all summer, and he's had lots of apples off the trees this fall. It just seemed wasteful to us, and we've long ago gotten used to the thought of him being gone. It will still be hard though. I hope you and Brenn are doing well in your respective recoveries!

[lonecowhand]

That is very generous of you, and difficult decision for you and Sheril, Hans.

His story will end with a useful gesture to the less fortunate, a fitting curtain call.

His legacy, however, will continue to improve the breed.

[Deleted]

That will be a gracious end for Mike. Mike will be a blessing
to people in need. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and
Sheril. Loosing a family animal is hard, in our move we lost
our beloved Annie. She was a mutt dog but a great part of our
family for 17 years.