cattle indoors v outdoors

primary 2

i am just wondering what are people thoughts on cattle been outdoors compared to indoors,if you left store cattle out for the winter on a dry sheltry place and gave them the same feeding,silage and some meal would the cattle put up the same weight outdoors compared to indoors?

Hobby farmer

We outwinter everything here, father won't hear of slatted sheds! We are well under stocked so it's not a huge problem for land but animals do be smashing come the new grass in spring. They shed the big winter coat and the shine off them is unreal. We also never seem to have huge issues with sick animals. Of course sheds have there merits too but that's my experience.

49801

Pound per pound of feed the indoor guys will gain more weight IMO as not expending as much energy on warmth.

But add into consideration that indoor animals need their manure spread. Confined space leads to more spread of disease etc. But outdoor animals take more time per day to herd and check and feed.

If you have suitable land to outwinter I would prefer it but in the end it all balances up evenly enough with indoor. Circumstances such as land type and farming system would be the deciding factor

20silkcut

Definitely for weanlings I'd say better out than in. Outliers do better in the spring mart trade. Cattle are not too fond of concrete.

Limestone Cowboy

primary 2 wrote: »

i am just wondering what are people thoughts on cattle been outdoors compared to indoors,if you left store cattle out for the winter on a dry sheltry place and gave them the same feeding,silage and some meal would the cattle put up the same weight outdoors compared to indoors?

They will definitely put on more weight inside with the same feeding. There might not be as much of a difference at the end of next summer though, Cattle that were out for the winter will do an unreal thrive when they hit grass.

muirsin

Just wondering max number of weanlings ye put per pen. Dont have enough space this year and will leave some out. Pen is standard size and will ad lib silage

davidk1394

If your finishing animals they thrive better indoors. Weanlings would do better out door if the weather stays like this. If it starts spilling rain they will melt away. Houses weanlings here after Christmas last year. Put in 30 into 2 spans of a straw bedded shed

The Cuban

They will all do better outside as long as they are dry. The cold has no effect on them so as long as they have a dry place to lie its outside.
On the other hand if they are out under the Rain for a week or two any gains made are quickly lost as cold wet cattle melt away

patsy_mccabe

The Cuban wrote: »

.........

Are you in mourning or celebrating today?

The Cuban

patsy_mccabe wrote: »

Are you in mourning or celebrating today?

Good one

He`ll be missed more than Charlie was that's for sure