When we get cold we can put on a hat, gloves, or a scarf. But what about animals? What happens when they get cold?
Who bundles them up?
A dairy farmer recently shared an adorable picture on Twitter that shows how animals keep warm. They wear earmuffs!
So it turns out ear muffs for calves to stop them getting frostbite are a real thing… pic.twitter.com/KiiAbTaRYV
— Ciarán Dunne (@ThisFarmingMan_) June 25, 2019
According to a paper written by Dr. W. Dee Whittier, newborn calves are most at risk for frostbite because “they are wet and because they have a large surface area in relation to their total body mass.” They are also unable to regulate their body temperature.
Ahh when you buy from AliExpress instead 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/4dUazt3OAq
— Nuno Sousa (@nunosowza) June 27, 2019
As with humans, “the extremities are most at risk” for calves.
“Frozen ears and tails result in changes of cattle appearance but do not affect cattle performance significantly. Frozen feet generally result in a calf that must be put to sleep or will die. Occasionally teats of a recently calved cow freeze resulting in mastitis and frequently loss of milk production in at least one quarter of the udder.”
— yeehawlex (@yeehawlex) June 26, 2019
To combat the cold Whittier recommends farmers supply windbreakers, provide dry bedding, house calving cows and calves when the temperatures reach below 10º F. Of course farmers can also provide their cattle with adorable earmuffs!
This is such a great idea!
Pass this on if you’d like to see calves sport these cute earmuffs so their little ears stay protected from the cold.
