Cattle not drinking?

[JMTHORNLEY]

Moved the cattle onto some new ground today, big piece, 20 acre and there is a stream running right down the bottom of it. I’m concerned that they just aren't drinking enough. I’ve had a water trough and been filling it with an IBC to supplement them but they seem to be drinking less From the trough. Will they be taking more from the stream? Normally not an issue because there is a gigantic pond in the middle of the field that’s always full, all cows look milky enough just watching urine and udders and I’m not 100%. Am I reading to much into it? The stream is constantly flowing, and a good amount of water in there. Do I leave them to it and let them drink from the stream or keep topping up the trough?

This is the same natural feed that feeds all my ground higher up

 

[davidroberts30]

You can lead a beast to water but......

 

[JPB]

any sign they are going into the stream? Hoof marks, muck etc? Im sure they will be fine

 

[JMTHORNLEY]

Oh yeah, plenty of tread marks and fuss arround the stream. I know they are drinking just worried they aren’t drinking enough

 

[betweenthelines]

Is this a wind up?

 

[TripleSix]

What if they aren't drinking enough?

What are you going to do about it?

 

[cozzie]

wonder if they will put two and two together and realize the water they are standing in, is drinkable ?

 

[Princess Pooper]

wonder if they will put two and two together and realize the water they are standing in, is drinkable ?

they're cows!!!!

 

[Happy]

Plenty wishing there stock weren't drinking so much this past month or so.
Never ending task for many at the moment watering stock where usual ditches, springs & drain fed supplies have dried up.

If they weren't getting enough they'd soon let you know about it.

 

[JMTHORNLEY]

Is this a wind up?

No not at all, I’m genuinely worried about my stock in the 24 degree heat and wondered if anyone else had the same issues at the moment

What if they aren't drinking enough?

What are you going to do about it?

Keep on filling the IBC....

 

[d williams]

No not at all, I’m genuinely worried about my stock in the 24 degree heat and wondered if anyone else had the same issues at the moment



Keep on filling the IBC....

Stock will tell you if they need water.!

 

[Ashtree]

Cows will be cows.

 

[Old Tip]

They will be fine, stock always prefer running water, if they need it they will use the trough

 

[JMTHORNLEY]

Suppose I'm just over thinking it with everything being so dry. I'd rather sort a solution than have a problem, can't imagine it being nice for anything in this heat having to go with out water for a time.

 

[Al R]

Suppose I'm just over thinking it with everything being so dry. I'd rather sort a solution than have a problem, can't imagine it being nice for anything in this heat having to go with out water for a time.

Be glad your streams are still running! I’ve got 800 sheep I’m carting water to as springs and streams have stopped.

 

[Happy]

3 in calf heifers here where ditch has dried up are emptying a 1000lt ibc every 6 days.

If yours is not going down much then they must be getting plenty elsewhere.

 

[Princess Pooper]

Suppose I'm just over thinking it with everything being so dry. I'd rather sort a solution than have a problem, can't imagine it being nice for anything in this heat having to go with out water for a time.

They will soon start complaining vocally if they are short of water. Heifers managed to turn a trough off in winter yards and first I knew about it was soft mooing.

 

[Chris123]

Get them in and put them through the crush and drench 5-10litres into them everyday just to be sure

 

[Kiwi Pete]

The creek water may taste better too. Water supply here is chlorinated and the stock prefer natural water, especially if they ramp up the chlorine rate.

They will be cooler by/in the creek too,
think how nice it is when you are hot and bothered, and put your arms in cold water to the elbow

I dug the ends of the culverts out and created little pools there so the sheep can dip their noses, and they hardly pay the trough any attention at all now.

 

[JMTHORNLEY]

Get them in and put them through the crush and drench 5-10litres into them everyday just to be sure

Yes I'm so glad you posted on this one, I've actually taken to spooning the water to them on a teaspoon. Very effective as I can count every last mouthful they have. Only trouble is it's a tad time consuming getting the level just right with a 5ml syringe and walking to and from the stream with it. Any more cracking advise on how to solve that issue?