Common Winter Health Issues in Cattle, Sheep & Goats

Useful guidance for UK livestock keepers and farmers

Cold weather brings special challenges for ruminant livestock. While cattle, sheep and goats are generally hardy animals, winter conditions — especially prolonged wet, windy, snowy or freezing weather — increase the risk of health problems. Understanding these winter-specific risks and how to manage them can improve animal welfare and productivity.

❄ Cattle — Winter Health Challenges

1. Cold & Nutritional Stress

Cattle require more energy to maintain body temperature in cold weather. When temperatures dip below their thermoneutral zone, cattle increase metabolic activity, which raises feed requirements. Inadequate nutrition can lead to body-condition loss, reduced milk production and overall poor health.

Calves are especially vulnerable to cold stress and hypothermia because they have less body fat and insulation.

Management Tips

• Provide extra high-quality feed throughout winter.

• Increase energy rations as temperatures fall.

• Ensure easy access to unfrozen water — dehydration worsens cold stress.

2. Respiratory Disease

Winter’s cold, damp conditions and reduced ventilation — especially in enclosed shelters — increase the risk of respiratory diseases such as bovine pneumonia (Bovine Respiratory Disease, BRD). Young calves and stressed animals are most at risk.

Signs

• Coughing and nasal discharge

• Fever and breathing difficulty

• Reduced appetite

Prevention

• Maintain good ventilation in shelters.

• Reduce overcrowding and damp bedding.

• Work with your vet on vaccination and early treatment plans.

3. Foot Problems

Wet, muddy conditions and poor drainage around feeding areas lead to hoof issues such as foot rot or abscesses. Regular trimming and providing dry standing areas helps prevent these.

🐑 Sheep — Winter Health Risks

1. Pneumonia & Respiratory Illness

Like cattle, sheep (especially lambs) are susceptible to pneumonia in cold, damp weather. Close contact in shelters can facilitate spread.

2. Internal Parasites & Scours

Even in winter, bacterial diseases such as yersiniosis (“flood mud scours”) and coccidiosis can occur following wet conditions. These cause diarrhoea, lethargy, dehydration and require veterinary diagnosis.

3. Nutritional & Body-Condition Issues

Sheep with insufficient body fat through winter may struggle to maintain condition, especially pregnant ewes. Good nutrition and monitoring condition scores helps reduce losses.

🐐 Goats — Cold Weather Considerations

1. Water & Ruminal Heat Production

A functional rumen generates internal heat, but only if goats eat and drink enough. Goats need constant access to fresh water — snow alone isn’t enough and can actually increase energy loss.

2. Parasites & External Pests

Winter can increase lice and mite problems, which irritate the skin and reduce condition. Regular inspection and treatment plans with your vet are advised.

3. Shelter & Bedding

Goats need dry, draft-free shelter with plenty of clean bedding. Damp bedding worsens chill and respiratory risk.

🌨 General Winter Health Management Tips

✅ Shelter: Provide dry, well-ventilated housing or shelters with ample bedding.
✅ Water: Keep water unfrozen and readily available (heated waterers where possible).
✅ Nutrition: Increase feed energy and roughage through cold spells.
✅ Routine Checks: Monitor each animal regularly for early signs of disease or stress.
✅ Foot Care: Trim hooves and provide dry standing areas.

References & Further Reading

• GOV.UK monitoring & disease prevention for sheep and goats (disease guidance).

• Best practices for cattle winter management including cold stress and nutrition.

• Respiratory disease risks in winter livestock.

• Managing wet conditions and scours in cattle and sheep.

• Winter goat management (water, parasites, shelter).

• Livestock feeding & winter shelter tips.