Patiala, January 12 - Deputy Director Animal Husbandry Dr. GD Singh said that proper maintenance of animals is very important to protect them from the adverse effects of severe cold and fog in the winter season. So that animal health and production can be maintained better. He said that the cattle keepers should close the sheds with curtains so that the cold air can be stopped. Tarpaulin, dry grass, straw or bamboo can be used to make curtains. Trees standing around sheds should be pruned So that sunlight can reach inside the sheds or roofs. The floor should also be kept dry to protect the animals from frostbite.
He said that cold can cause fever, pneumonia and diarrhea in animals. Dry grass, straw, straw or rice husk etc. should be laid to protect the floor from getting cold. Wrinkles can also be found on the body of animals. With which their body heat will be maintained. Sheds should be cleaned twice a day and proper water and manure drainage arrangements should be maintained.
The deputy director said that the animals should be cleaned with a dry cloth or straw while avoiding bathing. If necessary, the animal should be bathed with warm water. Dairy cattle should be fed a nutritious and balanced diet. In this season, there is an abundance of bersim muscles and it contains a lot of protein and water. Bersim fodder should be mixed with straw. It is very beneficial for dairy animals. If there is a shortage of green fodder, 5 to 10 kg of straw mixed with 25-30 kg of leguminous fodder should be given per animal. He said that an animal giving milk up to 10 kilos needs three kilos of fodder and 40-50 kilos of fodder. Legume and non-legume fodder mixed with straw should be given to the animal to prevent nitrate poisoning. Apart from this, it is necessary to give two percent of metal scrap and one percent of salt to the animal in winter. Clean, fresh and kosa (warm) water should be provided to the animal. If it has been more than three months since the animals were dewormed, then they should be dewormed. After a single administration of the deworming medicine to the animal, it should be re-administered 21 days later. Insect repellants should be used in sheds to protect against insects. All cattle should be vaccinated against foot-and-mouth disease. He said that for more information, one can contact the nearest animal organization, senior veterinary officer or deputy director animal husbandry department at the district level.