By Wendy Vacik, Livestock Specialist
Many guests visiting Farmpark during the winter months are surprised to find the park’s animals outside enjoying the cold weather in the same pastures and paddocks they lounged in during the hot summer months. Like their wild ancestors, most of today’s domestic livestock are well equipped to handle snow and cold. The difference is that unlike wild animals, which can range over vast territory to find necessities such as food, water and shelter, domestic animals are confined to pens and pastures. They are reliant on their caretakers, and their welfare depends on our knowledge of the animal’s specific requirements for health and survival. Just for fun, take the following quiz to see how well you would do at bringing Farmpark’s flocks and herds through a snowy Great Lakes winter!
Well, how did you do? It isn’t always the intuitive answer that is the most correct. Factor in additional demands such as gestation, lactation, or work, and it can become a challenge to meet the needs of domestic animals through the winter months. Pets and livestock depend on us to know the answers for them, so if you have domestic animals in your care, be sure to discuss their needs with your veterinarian. They’re counting on you to see them through!