One of the most important parts of caring for your cows is understanding cattle water needs. There’s much to consider in looking after your livestock, and water needs can be overlooked. However, water is one of the most important nutrients in their diet. Without fresh, clean water, you’ll run into all sorts of problems, from sickness to cows losing weight and more.
Here are some frequently asked questions people have about cattle water needs and their answers, so you can better understand how to care for cattle.
#1. How Much Water Do Cattle Need Per Day?
Water needs vary depending on a variety of factors, from environmental temperature to lactation to how heavy the cow is and more.
Generally, non-lactating cows and bulls may need a gallon of water per 100 lbs of body weight while a lactating female may need 2 gallons per 100 lbs of body weight. Young, growing cows may need 4-8 gallons of water a day while mature cows may need 7-10. Lactating cows may need 13-15. These are all generalities, as individual cows will have different needs.
The hotter it gets, the more water cattle need. Water needs at 90 degrees Fahrenheit can double water needs at 50 degrees Fahrenheit, due to water retention and loss differences.
#2. Do Cattle Need Water While Grazing?
While grazing cattle do get some water from grazing, it is not enough to meet their needs. It is important to ensure that your cows have a reliable source of fresh, clean water in order to keep them hydrated.
#3. How Many Days Can Cattle Go Without Water?
Like any other animal, it’s not good for cattle to go too long without water. While they have a large reservoir to draw from, they need to stay hydrated in order to maintain basic metabolic functions.
How long cows can go without water depends on environmental conditions and individual circumstances. In the heat, cows should have access to water at least every 6 hours. In the winter, cows may go without for 24-48 hours, but this is not optimal and can impact their health. Providing water is important to their performance and from a basic animal welfare standpoint. You should make water available to your cattle at all times.
#4. What Happens If Cows Don’t Get Enough Water?
Like any other animal, cows need proper hydration in order to stay healthy. Without enough water, bodily functions are impacted. Temperature regulation, lactation, growth, and reproduction all slow and can stop if this goes on long enough. Without enough water, cows become unhealthy and can even die.
#5. Can Cows Drink Too Much Water?
Cows can indeed drink too much. This is a rare concern, as cows usually stop drinking when they are satisfied, so for them to drink too much indicates underlying health problems. The more prevalent concern is whether or not your cows have enough to drink, to stave off dehydration. Livestock should be given all the water they can drink.
#6. Will Pond Water Meet Cattle Water Needs?
You want to ensure that the water you are providing your cattle with is fresh, clean, and temperate. Pond water often has bacteria, parasites, and viruses, as well as algae growth. This increases risk of disease. Natural water sources can also dry up or otherwise become unsuitable for your cattle.
As such, you should plan for your cattle to have access to fresh, clean water, as from an automatic waterer, in order to ensure that their needs are met and they stay healthy. You can read our previous blog, 7 Common Livestock Illnesses From Dirty Water And What You Can Do, to learn more about why cattle need clean water.
#7. Should You Spray Cattle With Water?
Cattle may appreciate being cooled down with a spray of water during summer heat, the same way humans enjoy swimming or a nice shower or bath in order to cool off.
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Contact us today to learn more about our non-electric automatic waterers and what they can do for you to help your cattle water needs.