Necessity of Drinking Water when there is snow - David Sims
Several years ago, ADI began a discussion on this topic. If ranchers are unable to get to their sheep and dogs for a couple of days due to snow drifts, is there a potential problem of dehydration for either sheep or LPDs? Consensus thus far is that LPDs and sheep can, if necessary, get their hydration needs from eating snow. There is not enough heat loss to be a problem.
The winter of 2011 has been brutal in many parts of the world, so this is a good time to bring back this theme. Does anyone have an observational evidence in either direction? We know that wolves can survive in winter conditions, obtaining water only through the food they eat and (probably) eating snow. I doubt any of us want to conduct an actual experiment to answer the question, so we turn instead to experience.
David Sims
I have a small herd of 14 sheep and 10 goats. The "experts" all recommend that heated (i.e., not frozen or ice cold) water be provided to the animals in the winter so they will drink more water, thus avoiding dehydration, so I do. The theory is that if the water is too cold they won't drink enough. In my experience over the past several years, many of my sheep (although not as many of the goats) actually eat snow when they are thirsty, rather than make the short trek to the water buckets to drink. Some individuals I have never seen at the water buckets, although that does not mean they don't visit them in my absence. I keep the buckets clean, and they are filled daily, sometimes more than once, so I'm not sure what the attraction is for the sheep, but they actually seem to like the snow. I can trace the mouth and tongue prints around the pasture and pen where they have been eating snow. Go figure! So, in response to your discussion starter of over a year ago, I'd say that I agree with the consensus that it is possible for sheep and dogs to survive only on snow if necessary, at least for a couple of days (however I wouldn't count on the snow as their only source of hydration for a long period of time if I could provide water).
MLWilliams
Thank you, ML, for your observations. I agree completely. People who don't know anything about animal husbandry may consider that not providing buckets of water amounts to cruelty, so there is definitely a public perception aspect to this topic. If getting to a herd with LPD is not safe or possible for a few days, its good to know the animals will not dehydrate if there is snow available.
David Sims