HOW WE HANDLE THE COLD AT HEEFS

by Kevin Weil, Facilities Manager

Winter at the sanctuary can be both beautiful and challenging. As Facilities Manager, my responsibility is to ensure the farm is prepared for the colder months, keeping equipment functional, structures safe, and the well-being of residents a top priority. Preparing for winter means proactive maintenance, anticipating hazards, and having systems in place to handle emergencies when they arise.

Sanctuary equipment works harder during winter, from snow plows to water de-icers. A breakdown in the middle of a storm could cause delays and safety hazards. We try to get ahead of this by having all of our equipment serviced in the Fall but issues still arise in the Winter and repairs on large equipment are always costly.

Another major concern in Ontario is snow and ice. We need to ensure that resident areas, walkways, parking areas, and access roads are kept clear of snow and ice. Because salt and sand are so costly and our new driveway is a kilometer long, we have to use these supplies sparingly. Thankfully, our quad works extremely well at removing snow and we even have a sand and salt spreader that attaches to the back of the quad to simplify that process.

Our main concern during the winter is keeping the residents comfortable and happy. We use hanging heaters in the bird areas, add extra bedding to the pig beds, and try out fun enrichment ideas. We have to balance our need to keep the residents comfortable with our need to keep them safe. Hanging heaters and water de-icers can be a fire hazard if not respected.  Thankfully, the Stall Barn at our new property is well insulated and stays quite warm when the residents are all inside. 

Winter safety at the sanctuary requires careful planning, ongoing maintenance, and an awareness of the unique challenges that the season brings. As Facilities Manager, my goal is to ensure that all equipment runs smoothly, all the residents are safe, and that we’re fully prepared for whatever winter throws our way. By taking these steps, we ensure that the farm runs efficiently and that everyone—humans and animals alike—can weather the season safely.