Without a doubt, the summer heat can be hard on humans. But remember, livestock and animals can become sick in the summer heat just like we can.
It can be a time consuming chore to care for your livestock and animals in the heat. For those who have livestock in different locations, a great part of the day can be spent making sure they are ok. Here are a few quick reminders for anyone who keeps animals outside (this goes for dogs, too!):
WATER!
There is not anything more vital than a fresh water source for livestock and animals in the summer’s heat. Fresh, cool running streams are ideal for cattle, horses and many other livestock. Water containers should be kept clean and full of cool fresh water for animals without access to streams or creeks. Dumping and washing them out can be a hard chore but it can easily make the difference between life and death for your animals. Animals that depend on water bottles such as rabbits and chickens need to have their water filled and refreshed at least twice daily.
SHELTER and SHADE!
Animals and livestock need a place to get out of the sun’s intensity. This can be provided by sheds, barns or even a large grove of leafy trees. Rabbits need a shade hutch or cover to escape the sun.
AIR MOVEMENT!
The movement of the hot summer air can be blessing to your animals. Those kept up in barns or closed in houses need fans to move the air about. Failure to provide this can easily result in suffocation and heat exhaustion.
Take care of your animals in the hot summerʼs heat. Take care of your and your family.
That is very good advice about animals. Here we always treat animals like we would want to be treated if we were them. That means free access to the barn for shelter and freedom to come and go as long as the weather is fit. We never tether or tie animals whether it is a goat, cow or dog. There have been times we observed goats and dogs tied to a stake in all kinds of weather through all seasons.
More than once Bill has spoken to people about animals tied on a rope with spilled water or no water at all. Some were hunched against the sun, rain, snow or wind with no shelter. Most people don’t mean to be cruel to their animals. They just don’t know any better. They think animals can be out in all weather including the sun so we were told.
All I have to say is if you wouldn’t want to be tied out in the hot sun, freezing cold, driving rain and snow with no shelter and water then realize your animals feel the same way.
Wild animals who roam free always find water and shelter to protect themselves from the weather. Domestic animals need to depend on people to have animal sense when caring for them.