Though Alabama winters are generally mild, falling temperatures can be uncomfortable for livestock. Thankfully, steps such as utilizing proper bedding and building a pole barn kit will keep your farm animals cozy and healthy. Here’s a closer look to get you started.

3 Tips for Keeping Livestock Warm in the Winter Season

1. Provide Shelter

Though mammals have fur to keep them warm, some may still need protection if the weather becomes too cold or wet. Construct a simple, easily accessible shelter with a pole barn kit. This type of building will provide coverage from winter precipitation and enough ventilation to disperse respiration gases and odor from waste.

If you have a large number of animals to provide for, custom metal buildings designed for livestock will also provide adequate protection from the elements.

2. Protect Against the Wind

Even if the temperature outside isn’t near freezing, the wind chill can make the air feel frigid. Once you’ve constructed a shelter for your animals using a pole barn kit or other materials, install livestock curtains or windbreaks to cover openings.

These vertical plastic strips are strong enough to block wind from entering the shelter, but they allow the animals to move freely from one area to another. Windbreaks also help retain warmth indoors. 

3. Provide Dry Bedding

Once the temperatures drop, your livestock will need a dry place to lie down and rest. A proper bed will also give the animals a chance to reserve their energy while staying warm. Without straw, wood shavings, or another form of padding to insulate them from the cold ground, animals will experience discomfort.

Be sure to keep the bedding dry with regular replenishment. If there’s an unseasonable cold snap and moisture is present on the ground or in their bedding, they may even develop frostbite. 

If you need a pole barn kit to shelter your livestock or store equipment, reach out to Dixieland Metals of Alabama. Located in Dothan and serving clients throughout Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida, this company is a leader in the metal industry. In addition to pole barn kits, they specialize in metal buildings, siding panels, and roofing materials. Call (334) 678-0038 to speak with a team member about your needs or visit them online to learn more about pole barns.