Submitted by:
Lauren Knight, CUCES Summer Intern
Nicole Correa, CUCES Livestock and Forages Agent
As warmer summer temperatures are quickly approaching, it is important to be sure your small ruminants are staying cool.
Small ruminants such as goats and sheep can show signs of heat stress in temperatures as cool as 75 degrees.1 Producers must consider the heat index, not just the temperature, as it also takes into account the humidity.4 Paying close attention to these numbers will help avoid heat stress and maintain healthy livestock.
Heat stress will cause low feed intake, reduced meat quality and milk production, lower growth rates, and overall reduced performance from your small ruminants. Heat stress is not always preventable, but there are a few tactics to help alleviate the harmful effects on your goats and sheep.
- Clean and fresh water. Providing your animals with clean, cool water 100% of the time is very important. Goats and sheep, on average, will drink one to two gallons of water a day; this number will increase when temperatures rise.4 Always have it available.
- Provide access to shade. Shelters do not have to be complicated. Ensuring there is good airflow (in and out) of shelters is key. Consider utilizing three-sided structures.
- Be mindful of handling times. Producers should limit the handling of small ruminants during the peak heat hours between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm.2 This will help to keep body temperatures low and animals comfortable.
- Shear sheep during the spring. Sheep should be sheared before the setting in of summertime temperatures. Slight wool growth will keep them cool in the summer and help avoid sunburns.3
Common signs your small ruminants are suffering from heat stress are rapid breathing/panting, reduced feed intake, increased respiration/heart rate, high rectal temperatures, excessive salivation, and animals lying down.1 Move small ruminants to a shady, cool area with a breeze and provide cool water to prevent death. Do not cool them down too quickly; it can do more harm than good.
Livestock production can experience negative effects during the summer heat. Implementing the proper prevention on your farm or homestead to ensure your small ruminants are staying cool is crucial.
Resources:
- Cope, Emily. “Heat Stress in Sheep.” NC Cooperative Extension News, 11 Aug. 2020, stokes.ces.ncsu.edu/2020/08/heat-stress-in-sheep/.
- Froehlich, Kelly, and Jaelyn Whaley. “Heat Stress in Small Ruminants.” SDSU Extension, 4 May 2023, extension.sdstate.edu/heat-stress-small-ruminants.
- Jackson, Caitlin. “Avoiding Heat Stress in Sheep and Goats.” The Bleat, 1 May 2019, extension.uga.edu/content/dam/extension-county-offices/monroe-county/anr/The%20BLEAT%20-%20May%202019_sm%20file.pdf.
- Metzger, Mike. “Avoid Heat Stress in Your Sheep and Goats.” MSU Extension, 29 June 2012, www.canr.msu.edu/news/avoid_heat_stress_in_your_sheep_and_goats.
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