Keeping Livestock Water Open in the Winter

It may seem obvious to provide clean and abundant water to your livestock, especially on hot days. However, frequent attention to water sources is just as important in the winter as it is in the summer. For horses, lack of water intake can cause a myriad of issues, the most common threat being impaction colic. When the weather is cold or extremely windy, livestock may not want to leave a shelter to go for a drink; they tend to eat more hay to stay warm; therefore, their water requirements may increase accordingly. Most animals (including us) are just not thrilled about drinking cold water during cold temperatures. Also, feeding alfalfa hay and providing salt blocks may increase water intake.

There are a variety of options on the market for livestock owners to keep water from freezing. These options vary in price, labor input, and efficacy. A few of the most common types are discussed below. All watering systems will benefit by placement out of the wind.

 Electrical Tank Heaters/Deicers

For the following devices, it is recommended to keep the heating unit and its attachments out of reach of livestock. This may require protective housing built around units, or placing the units on the other side of a fence or corral.

With all of the options available today, there is little reason to resort to “breaking ice” to keep water from freezing, and your livestock will benefit from consistently open water.