Baaack in the Barn for Winter?

As the sun gets lower in the sky and the cooler weather makes the grass grow slower, this is the time of year farmers consider moving their sheep flocks inside, especially if they lamb in the winter months. Of course, not all livestock animals head indoors for the winter, but if the farming operation has the barn space, it can make a positive difference in both herd health and farmer workload.

The most important factors to consider if a farmer plans to keep their flocks outdoors during winter are whether they have windbreaks or animal shelters, whether a nearby water source is always available, and the age of the sheep in the flock.

Cold weather itself is rarely an issue for hearty breeds of sheep in Pennsylvania. Whether a wool breed or a hair breed, sheep have been spending their lives outside since they traveled here with the first European explorers and settlers. However, windy conditions without adequate windbreaks or shelter, or cold/freezing rain without nearby shelter, can make sheep uncomfortable in winter.

Adult sheep in good health can withstand temperatures at or below zero, provided they have not just been shorn. The average winter temperature in Pennsylvania is approximately 28 degrees F before factoring in wind chill. Therefore, winter temperatures are manageable for most flocks when their basic needs are met. Lambs are the exception, but generally, if they have access to their mother for sustenance and avoid wet, windy conditions, they manage just fine.

Farmers take these variables into account when deciding whether to house their animals in a barn for the winter. Some farmers provide windbreaks and shelters outdoors, or shelter in a barn with an open door policy, while others initiate more of a lock-in.

With an ever-long list of tasks to accomplish on a farm at any given moment, efficiency is always considered. Is the hay mound above or near where the animals stay in the barn? And how far does the farmer need to transport large bails of hay to feed the flock? Where is the nearest fresh water source, and what’s the best method to keep hoses from freezing? Should the water be heated so it doesn’t freeze? What type of ventilation does the barn have, and what is the best method to manage the bedding and manure?

Animals use more calories to maintain their body temperature in cold weather. As they digest, their bodies create more heat and help them stay warm. Sheep are primarily fed grass hay and are supplemented with corn, oats, pellet feed, or some combination thereof. Sheep can survive on grass hay alone, but adding some extra calories, especially when the temperature drops, can help keep them warm with less effort. This is especially true for nursing ewes.

If a sheep flock lambs in winter, a barn can be a great way to manage labor and delivery; if intervention is needed, the farmer is also under shelter and warmer than out in the elements. When indoors, once newborn lambs are born, they’re moved with their mother into a lambing jug. Ideally, they stay in this pen area, which should be at least 25 sq ft, for at least 24 hours. This allows for time to bond. The ewe can learn her lamb’s unique scent, establish nursing, and the pen’s size makes farmer intervention easier, whether for hoof trimming, vaccinations, or nursing support.

Shepherding a flock of sheep is no small responsibility. They are living, breathing animals in the farmer’s care. They deserve to have their most basic needs met well with quality food, fresh water, and shelter when they need it. There are many right ways to steward land and the animals who live there. A healthy flock is a happy flock and therefore a well-producing flock.

As you drive around Lancaster County this week, notice how many farms have their livestock outside. Take note again mid-December through about March. Think about the weather conditions and whether you can see animal shelters if you do see animals outside. Remember that livestock is hardy, and their cold tolerance is higher than you think. Congratulations, now you’re thinking like a farmer.

About the Author:
Michelle Brubaker is a Land Protection Associate at Lancaster Farmland Trust. She is also a preserved farm owner who manages a flock of 60 sheep with her husband in West Lampeter Township. For more information about Michelle’s farm, check out our “Farmer’s Answer” blog post, here.

References:
https://smallfarms.cornell.edu/2024/10/keeping-sheep-comfortable/
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/preparing_goats_and_sheep_for_winter_weather