Winter Stress Management: A Vital Knowledge in Animal Husbandry

Temperature varies across Indian sub-continental land mass, divided between four major seasons. Farmers face own challenges in each season, whereas winter season is one of the most challenging environments to deal with. Southern Indian winters are not considered as harsh winters and local level management is sufficient to overcome. Northern winters are extreme and planned strategies could be useful to optimize illness and fatal death. Heating facilities, warm water, changes and upgradation in cattle feed, providing high energy feed are some of the key actions that protecting the livestock from chilling winters and maintain comfortable zone for them. Animal housing and its architecture should be in such a way that it provides warmness to animals and taking care of animals at different stages of growth and reproduction that impacts health of animals during winters. Animals should be vaccinated before winter and supply of frequently used medicines to be kept ready