farm life
June On the Smallholding ANIMALS AND PLANTS NEED EXTRA ATTENTION DURING HOT WEATHER TO ENSURE THAT THEY DO NOT SUFFER STRESS THAT COULD LEAD TO POOR HEALTH
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opefully, we will enjoy sunny weather and moderate rain. However, we are more regularly getting heat waves (canicules) during the summer that last several days or weeks. They usually occur in July or August, but in 2007 and 2019 there were heat waves in June, and we have just experienced some very hot weather only last month. In these periods we need to make extra sure that we and our animals stay cool and hydrated. Farm animals are normally wellinsulated for the cold, and are generally most comfortable at around 15°C. Fur and feathers protect skin from burning, but also absorb and retain heat, making it difficult for mammals and birds to keep cool in hot weather. Animals with dark coats or plumage are particularly prone to overheating, while those with white skin are susceptible to burning where fur is thin (e.g. ears and muzzle). Pigs can quickly become dangerously overheated. Pigs, dogs, and ruminants have fewer sweat glands than humans. These glands produce scents as a means of communication but are less effective for temperature control. Dogs also have a few cooling sweat glands in the paw pads. However, pigs, goats, sheep, dogs, and chickens all reduce body heat through panting. Pigs’ main strategy is wallowing in mud. The mud cools as it dries and the earthy coating protects skin from sunburn. Chickens cool themselves through drinking water and ejecting it through the cloaca. You may notice some watery droppings during hot weather. This is not diarrhoea: it is a poultry cooling mechanism. Mammals shed their undercoats during spring to prepare for warmer temperatures. You may have seen a lot of fluff and wool on fencing in spring as goats and sheep rub out excess undercoat. By now goats will have shed their woolly undercoat, often accompanied by a lot of scurfy dead skin,
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and then the longer hairs of their outer coat. By now, goats should have shorter, shiny coats with no under-fluff. Sometimes cool weather or health conditions delay this moult. An undernourished or sick goat may have held on to her coat for extra warmth. Once treated, you can help her by checking for lice that can hide out in unshed fur, and brushing out the old coat when temperatures rise.
Tamsin Cooper is a smallholder and writer with a keen interest in animal behaviour and welfare www.goatwriter.com By Tam s
Sheep do not lose their undercoat, as in Coop er they have been bred for hundreds of years to retain it. The exceptions are a few primitive breeds, such as Soay, Shetland or Cameroon. Wool from these breeds can be just gently pulled by hand, a process called ‘rooing’, during the annual moult. Otherwise your sheep will tree guards or fencing. Unprotected need shearing to maintain their health. woodland will survive a nibble, if grazed You will probably need to book your lightly and the animals moved on before shearer well in advance, as they get very they can do lasting damage. Chickens busy at this time of year. Once your love bushes and low trees to hide in. It sheep are sheared, they will be more makes them feel safe as well as keeping vulnerable to chills. This is why farmers them cool. Mine enjoy a low shelter as a do not shear them earlier, when nights dust bath. can be cold. Make sure Water needs to your sheep have a be fresh and shelter with thick straw There needs to be enough cool. Goats and to rest in when they need shade for all the animals to rest sheep are more to keep warm. Freshly likely to keep together, while allowing space sheared sheep are also hydrated if the between their bodies so they more vulnerable to water is clean, sunburn, so they will can dissipate heat so I change it need shelter during the daily. Horses day, and they really appreciate trees in drink a large amount of water, especially their paddocks. in the heat, so it is important to check Shade and water are important for all their supply regularly. Pigs will sully animals during hot and sunny weather. their water as they use it to bathe and These are their main defences against play, so a drinking supply will need to be overheating. There needs to be enough replenished frequently. Constipation, shade for all the animals to rest together, normally due to dehydration, can be while allowing space between their serious in pigs. bodies so they can dissipate heat. Trees If animals have sufficient shade and are the easiest and most enjoyable water, they should be able to cope with strategy here, providing shade, soil hot weather, but a heatwave will require structure, and biodiversity. You will extra vigilance to ensure they have all need to protect bark from nibbling teeth, they need. especially where there are goats, with
