Winter brings many challenges for farmers, especially when young animals are born during the cold season. Newborn calves, lambs, kids, and foals are the future of every farm. Their health and survival during the first few weeks decide whether the farm will gain profit or suffer losses in the coming years.
Unfortunately, many farmers pay less attention to newborns during winter due to busy routines, lack of awareness, or limited resources. This neglect can lead to cold stress, weakness, pneumonia, diarrhea, and even death. The good news is that simple care can save lives and improve livelihood.
Newborn animals cannot control their body temperature like adults. When they are exposed to cold winds, low temperatures, wet bedding, or insufficient feeding, their body heat drops quickly. This condition is known as hypothermia or cold shock. In this state, the newborn becomes weak, stops drinking milk, shows shivering, and may collapse. Without timely action, death can occur within a few hours. Every farmer must understand that prevention is much easier and cheaper than treatment.
Colostrum feeding is the first protection a newborn receives as shown in figure 1. Colostrum is the thick yellowish milk the mother produces right after giving birth. It contains antibodies that protect against diseases and provides the energy needed to keep the newborn warm. The first two hours after birth are critical.
If the baby animal does not receive colostrum during this golden period, its immunity drops and the risk of pneumonia and diarrhea rises sharply. Farmers should ensure the newborn drinks at least 10 percent of its body weight in colostrum during the first 24 hours. If the mother has less milk, rejected her baby, or is sick, saved colostrum or a commercial replacer must be provided. Never delay colostrum feeding in winter.
Warm shelter is the second major requirement. Newborn animals often lie on cold floors or wet bedding which causes rapid cooling. A clean, covered, and dry area must be prepared before birth as shown in figure 2. Straw, wood shavings, rice husk, or sand should be used as bedding and must be kept dry. Simple low-cost solutions like curtains made from sacks or plastic sheets can block cold air. Weak or small newborns can be wrapped in a cloth.
In very cold nights, safe heat sources such as covered hot water bottles, heated bricks wrapped in cloth, or heat lamps can help maintain body temperature. However, these must be used carefully to avoid burns and fire hazards. Warm surroundings allow the baby animal to use energy for growth rather than just fighting the cold.
Proper milk feeding throughout the first few weeks is equally important. Sometimes farmers reduce milk to sell more in the market, believing the baby can survive on little feed. In reality, low feeding weakens the newborn and increases disease risk. Milk or milk replacer should be given two to three times a day. It must always be fed warm because cold milk chills the body from inside. All feeding equipment such as bottles and nipples should be cleaned properly to avoid harmful bacteria that cause diarrhea. If the baby refuses to drink, the farmer must check its temperature and provide warmth before trying again.
Hygiene and health care complete the winter protection plan. After birth, the umbilical cord must be dipped in iodine solution to prevent infection. Bedding should be changed regularly. During the early weeks, newborns must be checked daily for signs of illness such as shivering, coughing, nasal discharge, watery diarrhea, tiredness, or poor sucking. If any warning signs appear, immediate actions like warming, providing fluids, and contacting a veterinarian can save the animal. Vaccination of mothers during pregnancy also gives better immunity to newborns.
Farmers should also care for orphaned or weak newborns. These babies need special support. They may require more frequent feeding in small amounts and extra warmth. Letting them stay close to other animals or using a companion for shared body heat can help. Keeping them isolated in cold areas leads to quick decline.
Winter protection is not only about animal welfare but also about financial gain. Every calf, lamb, kid, and foal that survives and stays healthy contributes to farm income in the form of future milk, meat, breeding, or sale value. Farmers who lose newborn animals in winter face serious financial losses that could have been prevented. Investing in good care during the first few weeks returns high benefits later on. Strong young animals grow faster and show better productivity throughout life.
Farm families can make winter a successful season by following a simple checklist. Make sure the newborn receives colostrum within two hours, provide a dry and warm shelter, feed warm milk every day, check animals every morning and evening, maintain clean bedding as shown in figure 4 and take quick action when any signs of sickness appear. These small steps guarantee big differences.By increasing awareness in villages and educating family members who handle livestock daily, we can reduce avoidable newborn deaths during winter.
Healthy newborns today are strong dairy cows, productive goats, quality sheep, and valuable horses tomorrow. Winter should not become a season of fear for livestock owners. Instead, it can become a season of smart care, better management, and future prosperity.
Protecting newborn livestock is a responsibility and an opportunity. When farmers provide timely care, they protect their investment and help strengthen the livestock sector as a whole. As winter arrives, every farmer must ensure that the youngest members of the herd receive the warmth, milk, and attention they need to survive and thrive.
Contributing Author:
1. Muhammad Nasir Bhaya (Institute of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Agriculture Faisalabad)
2. Muhammad Asim (Institute of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Agriculture Faisalabad)
