WESTPHALIA, Mich. (WILX) – These frigid cold temperatures give most of us an excuse to stay indoors but for some that is simply not an option. And if you have animals or pets, there’s an added layer to staying safe in the cold.
Cold temperatures pose serious threats to animals. Just like people need to layer up outside, so do the animals.
“We’re out here because we love it, we do love our animals,” Part owner of K&K Dairy Farms Kristi Keilen said.
Farmers across the state are braving the single-digit cold temperatures and the sub-zero windchills to make sure their animals are taken care of. Family farmers at K&K Dairy Farms are milking about 250 cows.
“We always make sure that everything gets locked up tight,” Keilen said. “So, the barn, we have curtains that can kind of come down, keep the cold out. All of our garage doors in the barns will be down to keep all the heat inside. As long as they’re out of the wind, they can keep themselves fairly warm.”
Dairy cattle can actually tolerate temperatures well below zero as long as they’re provided with a few key components.
“Making sure those guys have extra coats on, extra bedding so that they stay warm, they don’t get frostbite anything like that,” Keilen said. “And then also keeping enough calories inside of the animals. They go through a lot of extra food when it’s this cold outside.”
-Keilen says the calves are more susceptible to the cold. And, in the midst of caring for the animals, she’s making sure others are staying safe.
“Watch out for the people. We’ve got a lot of great employees on our farm today, and we’re just really taking care of them as well,” Keilen said. “Don’t be out too long, take breaks. It’s kind of taxing on us as people too to take care of the animals. At the end of the day, you know, we’re just trying to feed people and put food on everybody’s tables.”
Experts say to keep an extra eye on your animals and pets during this arctic blast. If you notice they are not looking well, get help from a veterinarian right away.
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