Wool coats, bushy hair and special feed rations: Livestock wear different “winter coats” than students do to keep warm during the winter months.

“Every species is different,” said Maynard Hogberg, professor and chairman of animal science.

Many of the livestock on the eight farms owned by the university have access to buildings where they can take shelter from the harsh Iowa winters.

Cattle, sheep and horses are well-suited for withstanding the cold temperatures because of their skin covering. The thick layers of wool or hair that cover their bodies act as an insulation against the cold temperatures. If they are kept in buildings that are too warm, the animals could become sick.

“They adapt to the cold weather and are healthier outside,” Hogberg said. “If they are exposed to too much moisture, it causes respiratory issues.”

Livestock that do not have thick hair or wool to keep them warm are housed in environmentally controlled buildings throughout the year. These animals include swine and chickens.

Jay Lampe, swine farm manager, said the same precautionary measures must be taken in the swine barns during the winter in order to prevent diseases from entering the closed facilities.

“We don’t change our health practices,” Lampe said. “People still have to shower-in and shower-out when they come to the facility.”

Altering the feeding rations of the animals aids in keeping them warm.

Codi Burris, horse barn manager, said the horses at the farms are fed high-fermenting hay that helps them produce body heat. Other than that, the horses really do not need much else.

“Unless it’s raining and miserable, they usually do pretty good by themselves,” Burris said.

Exceptions are made for young born during the winter.

Hogberg said piglets are kept under zone heat, with temperatures ranging from 85 to 90 degrees, right after they are born. Once they get closer to being weaned, they are housed in buildings where temperatures are 75 to 80 degrees. Sows, adult female swine, are kept in buildings with temperatures around 55 degrees.

Foals, baby horses, are kept in a heated barn for 24 to 48 hours after birth, Burris said. After that period, they are turned out into a pen where they have access to a shed with deep-bedded stalls for especially chilly days.

When the forecast calls for heavy snowfall, farm managers and workers plan ahead in case they are unable to reach the farms right away.

Hogberg said farm workers give cattle more hay before a big snowstorm so they still have food if workers are unable to make it to the farm due to snow-blocked roads.

“We make sure we get people there to take care of them,” Hogberg said. “Sometimes we’ll have to use snowmobiles to get out there.”