Guidelines for the Provision of Shelter for Cattle

Guidelines for the Provision of Shelter for Cattle

Animal Welfare Advisory Committee

Preface

These guidelines have been produced:

to promote the humane and considerate treatment of cattle
to promote the use of good husbandry practices to improve the welfare of cattle in all types of cattle farming enterprises
to promote an awareness in those responsible for the care and management of cattle of shelter needs.

Cattle includes all domestic bovines such as cows, bulls, calves, heifers and steers.

Cattle are kept in situations which vary from extensive grazing to close confinement and housing. Whatever the form of husbandry, owners and managers have a moral and legal responsibility to care for the welfare of animals under their control. The basic needs of cattle for adequate food, water, air, shelter, comfort and freedom to move and express normal behaviour patterns must be met.

The provision of shelter will allow the animals to better cope with the varying climatic extremes that can occur throughout the year.

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act

Section 9 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act defines Cruelty and provides for proper and sufficient shelter being made available for animals. Sub section (f) states that a person who:

“is the owner or person in charge of an animal which is confined or otherwise unable to provide for itself and fails to provide the animal with proper and sufficient food, drink and shelter; ”

commits an act of cruelty and is guilty of an offence. This offence carries a penalty of 120 penalty units or imprisoment for up to 12 months.

Introduction
Healthy cattle can tolerate extremes of heat and cold if they are acclimatised and have adequate feed and water. However, steps should be taken to minimise the effects of climatic extremes and other factors producing either cold or heat stress.

Working with the Environment
Shelter not only provides for the welfare of the animal, it can also increase livestock production by increasing the supply of pasture and by reducing environmental stress. When planning for shelter on the farm consideration may also be given to the integration of wildlife habitats (Land for Wildlife Notes “Farm Planning and Wildlife” and “What You Property can do for You”).

Adverse Weather
Adverse weather can include low temperatures with wind and rain combined to impose a severe chill factor, the sudden onset of prolonged wet and windy conditions, heatwave conditions of prolonged severe heat.

Where cold stress is likely, shelter (e.g. windbreaks) should be provided and additional fodder also provided if necessary. Cold stress is worsened by wind chill and wetting of the coat. Calves are particularly at risk.

As far as practicable cattle should be protected from adverse weather conditions, including climatic extremes, unseasonal changes and other factors causing cold stress or heat stress. Cattle should have access to shelter from such conditions. It can be shown from simple observation that where shelter is provided (either natural or man made), animals will seek the appropriate shelter for the prevailing conditions.

Extreme Heat
In hot grazing climates where shade is available, cattle will use it all day long and only leave the shade in the late afternoon to seek water and feed and do most grazing at night.

If no trees are available, then cattle will camp next to water such as dams or creeks during the day and feed at night. Shade is preferred over water. It has been observed in adverse hot weather that cattle in shade chew their cuds, but those in the sun do not.

Provision of shade for dairy cattle when ambient temperatures are high can substantially boost milk production and improves conception rates.

Research with dairy cattle production under heat stress demonstrated the welfare benefit and improved production where shade and shelters were provided.

Research also shows a higher mortality rate in calves subjected to heat stress in their first week of life. Cows may be observed trying to shade their calves.

Extreme Cold
Newly born calves and calving cows in particular are the most vulnerable to cold stress. Where there is proper shelter available there is a reduction in mortality.

Wind chill and rain may reduce the animal effective temperature to below its critical level, which can lead to production losses. Cold stress increases the animals requirement for energy, to maintain body temperature and functions. Increasing availability of fooid at such times will assist maintaining body functions and productions. The provision of shelter will reduce cold stress which may lead to reduced needs for food supplementation. Exposure to cold may increase maintenance costs.

Rain will further aggravate cold stress by reducing insulation of the coat and resulting in loss of body heat.

Types of Shelter Include:

Constructed wind breaks (cattle may also use wind breaks to rub up against and consequently the wind breaks will need to be structurally sound and safe for the cattle)
Natural undulating paddocks and gullies
Shelter belts of trees and bushes: Trees can alleviate environmental stress and promote the survival and productivity of farm animals. If windspeed is reduced, cold stress is markedly reduced.
Sheds: Sheds (open on one side) can be erected in paddocks which can afford protection from wind.

Calving Cows
Special shelter management may be necessary for calving cows and their calves, if required small paddocks within a sheltered area along the edge of shelterbelts are useful.

Special management is also necessary with calving cows and calves where close observation should be carried out and any cow found down and unable to stand should receive veterinary attention and if not corrected almost immediately, should be moved to a sheltered area.

Feedlots
Animals should be protected from extremes of weather. The provision of shade and sprinkler (cooling) systems in hot climates and shelter from excessive cold for animals in holding facilities is desirable.

Other Information
The Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (AWAC) has produced this document in the interests of both animal welfare and as an information tool for cattle producers. This document should also be read in conjunction with the "Code of Accepted Farming Practice for the Welfare of Cattle (Victoria) " available from Customer Service Centre Phone: 136 186

Other publications providing information include:

Managing Hot Cows in Australia (Department of Primary Industries, Queensland)
ISBN 0 7242 6680 1

AWAC provides considered advice to the Minister on animal welfare matters. The Bureau of Animal Welfare provides secretarial and technical support to the Committee. Information about AWAC may be found on this website.

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