Warm Hearts, Warm Barns: Support Our Winter Fundraiser & Keep Farm Animals Cozy This Season
- Winding Branch Ranch
- Nov 4
- 3 min read
As winter settles in at Winding Branch Ranch, our furry and feathered friends are feeling the chill, and we need your help to make sure each rescue animal stays safe, warm, and well cared for. This season, we are raising funds to protect the animals who call the ranch home and sharing helpful tips for anyone who keeps farm animals through the colder months.
Why Our Winter Fundraiser Matters
At Winding Branch Ranch, our mission is to rescue, revive, and rehome farm animals in need while educating communities about humane, ethical, and sustainable farming practices. With more animals arriving every season, your support makes a direct difference.
Our Winter Fundraiser helps ensure that all of our rescued animals, including goats, pigs, sheep, donkeys, and chickens, have the warmth and comfort they need when the temperature drops. Donations go toward:
Warm bedding and insulation for barns and coops
Windbreaks and shelter upgrades to block drafts
Emergency feed and hay reserves
Heating, lighting, and water-thawing systems for vulnerable animals
Veterinary care and rehabilitation for animals in recovery
Every dollar helps keep our animals safe through the coldest part of the year. Please consider donating today to help keep their barns warm and their bellies full.
How to Keep Your Farm Animals Warm in Winter
Whether you have a backyard coop or a small family farm, cold weather brings new challenges. Here are a few simple ways to help your animals stay warm, healthy, and comfortable.
1. Provide Dry, Draft-Free Shelter
Cold winds and damp conditions can quickly harm animals. Make sure barns and coops have ventilation up high to allow moisture to escape while keeping drafts away from where the animals rest. Add windbreaks such as trees, walls, or tarps to block cold air, and keep bedding dry and deep with straw or shavings.
2. Ensure Access to Fresh, Unfrozen Water
Animals need water just as much in winter as they do in summer. Check troughs and buckets daily to make sure they are not frozen. Use heated waterers or safe trough heaters if possible, and never rely on snow or ice for hydration.
3. Increase Feed and Adjust Nutrition
Animals burn more calories in cold weather as they work to stay warm. Provide high-quality hay, grain, or other appropriate supplements. Animals in good body condition handle winter stress better than those who are underweight.
4. Monitor Animal Health
Cold, damp conditions can lead to illness or injury. Check animals daily for signs of shivering, lethargy, or frostbite on ears and tails. Keep up with vaccinations and hoof care, and provide extra protection for seniors, babies, or animals recovering from illness.
5. Prepare for Winter Storms
Stock up early on hay, bedding, and feed so you are ready if weather or road conditions worsen. Keep paths and shelter entrances clear of snow and ice. If power outages are common in your area, consider safe backup heating options for vulnerable animals.
Why Your Support Means So Much
Many of the animals at Winding Branch Ranch arrived neglected, cold, or underfed. Your donation helps provide the safety and care they deserve. Each gift funds real needs like hay, bedding, water heaters, and veterinary care, making sure no animal is left out in the cold this winter.
How to Give
Donate online through our website. Every amount helps.
Share our fundraiser with friends and family on social media.
Final Thoughts
Winter care for farm animals takes planning, compassion, and community support. By following good practices for shelter, water, nutrition, and emergency preparedness, you can help your animals stay healthy and happy all season long.
At Winding Branch Ranch, we are doing the same for hundreds of rescued animals. Your support keeps them warm, fed, and cared for until they find forever homes.
With gratitude,
The team at Winding Branch Ranch
