It has been a particularly frosty start to the year, especially for our outdoor animals. Earlier in January, around the time of the “polar vortex,” I read a slew of online articles about keeping livestock and pets safe during periods of dangerous cold.
Here are the most sensible tips I read on OCJ.com, including these specific for livestock without access to a barn:
• Provide windbreak protection to lower the effects of wind chill on energy needs
• Move animals out of muddy conditions or reduce the mud with a feeding pad
• Increase access to better quality forage
• Limit corn or high-energy, non-starch feedstuff
It was this story however by Turkish news site DHA about a herd of unattended donkeys, frozen together in a snow-encrusted huddle that made me gasp. Watch the footage filmed by the DHA news crew in the village Siverek, as the donkeys stand so close for warmth they appear frozen solid.
I’m relieved to report that a team was sent to rescue the donkeys, which were taken to a nearby animal shelter for emergency care.
Warm thoughts for us all to get through this final winter stretch.
Photo obtained from: www.todayszaman.com
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