Did you know that dogs and cats can only sweat from their nose and the bottoms of their feet? Cows can’t sweat at all, so we need to be sure to give them extra protection from the sun. Especially our black cows, they sure can get hot in the summer sunshine!
In our main pasture, we have this shed that the cows can go in and out whenever they want. It gives them protection from the wind from most directions, and provides them some shade from the sun. When the cows are in this pasture, they spend most of their nights sleeping in this shed.
This is the big tree in our main pasture. It doesn’t look all that impressive in February, but the cows sure love it in the summer. They’ll spend most of the day hanging out under this tree, and their nights in and around the shed. (It’s sort of funny to watch them move around the tree during the day to follow the shade.)
This is the same tree in the fall of 2010. I just wanted to show you that it really does get leaves on it.
This is the side pasture where we have our three heifers right now. They can’t get into the shed, because it is on the other side of the fence, but there are some trees next to the shed where they can get shelter, and a few trees scattered around the pasture like this one. You can see that even without leaves, the trees do provide a good amount of shade.
As you’re driving down the road, have you noticed cattle hanging out in the shade, or sunning themselves on a nice day?
I find it interesting that they actually go to the shed to sleep. My dad’s cattle never did go inside.
I’m a little surprised myself, but even in the summer they head inside the little shed at night. They spend most of their days outside in the sun or under the trees.