Summer heat - manage sheep and goat health

By Blake Jackson

As summer arrives, sheep and goat producers need to be vigilant about protecting their animals from heat stress. While these animals are more heat-tolerant than some, prolonged exposure can harm their health and productivity.

Heat stress occurs when sheep and goats can't regulate their body temperature. This can lead to reduced feed intake, weight loss, and decreased milk production in lactating animals.

Signs of Heat Stress

The Temperature Humidity Index (THI) is the best indicator of heat stress. Levels between 84-86°F are considered severe for sheep and goats, and anything above 86°F is extreme. Here are some visual signs to watch for:

• Mild: Panting with a closed mouth and rapid chest movements.
• Moderate: Faster panting with a slightly open mouth, but tongue not extended.
• Severe: Rapid open-mouth panting with extended neck, head held high, and tongue hanging out.
• Extreme: Open-mouth panting with a fully extended tongue, lowered head, and deeper breaths.

Other signs include crowding at water sources, excessive shade-seeking, rapid breathing, staggering, and drooling.

Cooling Down Your Flock

• Water, Water Everywhere: Ensure constant access to clean, cool water. Sheep and goats typically drink 1-2 gallons daily, with lactating animals requiring more.
• Fleece as Insulation: Don't shear sheep during extreme heat. Their wool acts as a natural insulator.
• Grazing in the Cool: Avoid grazing during the hottest part of the day. Encourage early morning or late evening grazing for optimal feed intake.
• Adjust the Diet: Provide nutrient-rich feed during hot weather. Grains generate less body heat compared to poor-quality forages. Consider feed additives like live yeast and vitamins C & E to combat heat stress.
• Shade It Up: Offer shade options like Quonset huts, polydomes, carports, or mature trees. For barn-housed animals, consider misting or sprinkling systems to create an evaporative cooling effect, but avoid creating overly wet and muddy areas.

Regularly check your animals for signs of distress. If you observe continuous panting, rapid breathing, weakness, inability to stand, or a rectal temperature exceeding 105°F, take immediate action to cool the animal down. Seek veterinary attention if the rectal temperature surpasses 107°F, as this can lead to cell degeneration and death.

By implementing these strategies, sheep and goat producers can effectively manage heat stress and ensure the health and well-being of their animals throughout the summer months.

Photo Credit: pexels-pavel-bondarenko