The past couple of days have been hot, sticky, and miserable. The next few days are not looking much better. While we endure in our airconditioned homes, trucks, and tractors, our animals are outside and need our help to make it through unscathed. Iowa State Veterinarian Dr. Jeff Kaisand has some tips for farmers to remember to help keep their animals cool.
Dr. Kaisand said the first thing we need to realize is that when we get these first real changes to hot weather, it takes the animals a few days to get completely acclimated. There are definite signs of heat stress which you need to be aware of. Dr. Kaisand runs down a list of the symptoms that your animal is not handling the change well.
It may seem like common sense, but the key to keeping the animals healthy during a heatwave is water. Lots and lots of water. The availability of shade is also key for animals outside. For animals indoors, make sure there is adequate ventilation, and consider the use of misters.
If you choose to use misters, Dr. Kaisand has some tips to get the most benefit for your livestock.
Also, producers may want to look at changing the feeding schedules of their livestock. Animals, especially ruminants, generate heat from digestion.
While animals are different whether they are ?feathers or leathers?, these practices for managing heat stress are universal. You do not need to make special considerations for different animals on a diverse operation.
If you see any signs of heat stress, make sure to consult with your livestock veterinarian.
