Summer's here, and with it comes the challenge of keeping your sheep and goats comfortable. While they're naturally tougher than some animals when it comes to heat, extended hot spells can still take a toll on their health and productivity.
Heat Stress: The Silent Threat
Heat stress happens when sheep and goats can't cool down effectively. This can lead to a number of problems, including:
- Eating less
- Losing weight
- Producing less milk (for lactating animals)
Spotting the Signs Early
The Temperature Humidity Index (THI) is the best way to gauge heat stress risk. Levels between 29-30°C are considered high for sheep and goats, while anything above 30°C is dangerous. But you can also watch for these physical signs:
- Mild: Panting with a closed mouth and rapid breaths.
- Moderate: More intense panting with a slightly open mouth, but tongue not lolling out.
- Severe: Rapid panting with an open mouth, extended neck, head held high, and tongue hanging out.
- Extreme: Open mouth panting with a fully extended tongue, lowered head, and very deep breaths.
Other signs to look out for include crowding around water sources, excessive shade-seeking, staggering, and drooling.
Keeping Your Animals Cool
Here are some things you can do to create a cool and comfortable environment for your flock:
- Hydration is Key: Make sure your sheep and goats always have access to clean, cool water. They typically drink 4-8 liters per day, with lactating animals needing more.
- Wool Power: Don't shear your sheep during the hottest part of summer. Their fleece acts like a natural insulator, helping them stay cool.
- Grazing in the Shade: Avoid grazing during the hottest part of the day. Early mornings or late evenings are ideal for grazing, allowing them to eat more without getting overheated.
- Diet for Hot Weather: During hot weather, provide a diet rich in nutrients. Grains generate less body heat compared to low-quality forage. You can also consider adding live yeast and vitamins C & E to their feed, which can help them cope with heat stress.
- Shade Solutions: Provide plenty of shade options like large shelters, portable covers, or mature trees. For animals housed in barns, consider misting systems to create a cooling effect through evaporation. However, avoid creating overly wet and muddy conditions.
- Be Vigilant: Regularly check your animals for signs of heat stress. If you see them panting continuously, breathing very rapidly, showing weakness, struggling to stand, or having a rectal temperature exceeding 40.5°C, take immediate steps to cool them down. If their rectal temperature reaches 41.7°C, seek veterinary attention immediately, as this can lead to serious health problems.
By following these tips, you can help your sheep and goat herd stay cool and healthy throughout the summer, ensuring they remain productive and happy.