Do cows sleep longer in the winter as it gets dark earlier, or do they hang around in the pitch black?

Question

as it gets dark 4-5hrs earlier in the winter, i wondered whether the grazing animals in the fields carry on as normal in the dark or just give up and go to sleep!

Answer 1

When the temperature drops below 20 degrees F. the cattles metabolism will require an increased number of calories to generate body heat without loosing weight.  Farmers who take care of their cattle will feed hay and extra grain as needed.  Cattle really don't sleep alot, but they do spend a lot of time resting and waiting for their next feeding.  Darkness really doesn't matter, if they are hungry they will eat when feed is available.

Answer 2

no cows dont sllep longer in winter they only have 40 winks every 2 hours

Answer 3

is that a if a tree falls in the woods, does it make a sound, type of question?

Answer 4

i think that they sleep long but thats only from what i have heard from other peopple

thanks carlo.

Answer 5

As I live no more than about 75-100 from grazing cattle I would say in the winter they settle down for the night but are up earlier when the sunrises. A farmer in the winter makes his rounds feeding extra hay to his cattle earlier in the mornings also,

Answer 6

Most animals sleep longer in the winter.Even us.

Answer 7

depends what shift they are on and if they have a flexe time system

Answer 8

Regardless of the time of year, I will find find the sheep and cattle out grazing or eating hay at 5:30-6:00 AM.  In short, no, they don't sleep longer in the winter.

Answer 9

everything remains much the same, that what goes in one end, still comes out the other end in gross quantity, and they still have to be tended, about the only thing that does change is the noise that they make, a lot of the time it sounds like a human saying in a whining high pitch(when we going to miami)

Answer 10

They do feed at night but mostly they lie down and ruminate (chew the cud)

Answer 11

I'M NOT SURE COWS EVER SLEEP BUT THEY MAY LAY DOWN EARLIER IN THE WINTER SEASON.BUT THEY STIR ALL NIGHT.

Answer 12

I have a pet cow,so her habits may not be the same as those who have to work for their living! She eats almost continuously day and night winter and summer. In the winter she does tend to spend more of the winter nights in her `house`( a brick built stable). It is warm and cosy and has clean straw bedding every day. It is near the house, so she can hear us and see the house lights.  Cows like company so she shares her life with a goat( who thinks he is a cow). they both like to listen to the radio ( again company) They have their old radio on 24/7 in the stable. They both go into the stable earlier in the winter but are still awake and in the field before dawn.