So you’d like to know more about Heat Stress Relief in Sheep and Goats. We’ve got plenty of information for you.
Small ruminants are raised in diverse cultures and environments and aid in reducing food insecurity around the world. Livestock demand has increased because of population growth, higher household incomes, and the growth of urban areas. Small ruminants, such as goats and sheep, fill the increased demand for meat, milk, wool, and other products. Unfortunately, these animals are particularly susceptible to heat stress in warmer climates that can impact their health and productivity.
Heat Stress in Small Ruminants
Stress is caused by external factors that can negatively impact the health and performance of animals by disrupting their body’s equilibrium. Stressors are physical, chemical, nutritional, psychological, and physiological. Heat stress is a traumatic and expensive experience for livestock animals. It can negatively impact animal health, productivity, and the quality of products that animals provide.
Heat stress occurs when animals cannot dispel excess body heat, leading to elevated body temperatures. Heat stress could occur when animal body temperature elevates above normal comfort zones (101.5 to 103.5 degrees F) for sheep and goats. High environmental temperatures, humidity, and inadequate ventilation can worsen this condition.
Signs of Heat Stress
Common signs of heat stress among sheep and goats include:
- Heavy breathing and panting
- Lifelessness and low activity
- Loss of appetite
- Elevated body temperature
- Elevated heart rate
- Increased water consumption
- Decreased standing time and urination
- Weakened immune system
- Low reproduction and increased fetus deaths
- Low body weight
- Low milk production
- Collapsing and death
Heat Stress Factors
Several factors contribute to heat stress among small ruminants.
- High environmental temperatures are the primary cause of heat stress. Animals find it difficult to adjust to temperatures above their comfort zones.
- High humidity makes it difficult for animals to cool off by panting and sweating to regulate body temperatures.
- Lack of shade from direct sunlight over a long period worsens the effect of heat stress.
- Poor ventilation in housing or shelters traps heat and moisture leading to an uncomfortably hot and humid environment.
- Limited access to clean, cool water prevents animals from staying hydrated to regulate bodily temperature.
- Overcrowded conditions among animals can increase body temperatures and limit airflow.
- High levels of animal activity during grazing, shearing, or handling can elevate body heat, especially in hot weather.
- Feeding during the hottest part of the day can aggravate heat stress.
- Certain goat and sheep breeds are more susceptible to heat stress due to genetics.
- Animals in poor health are more vulnerable to heat stress.
- Younger and older small ruminants are more susceptible to heat stress.
How to Manage Heat Stress
- Plant trees around grazing land to offer natural cooling—a common agroforestry practice.
- Construct shade structures, such as open-sided structures made of wood or other materials to allow adequate airflow and to protect animals from direct sunlight.
- Install fans or mechanical ventilation to maintain airflow and reduce indoor temperatures.
- Install sprinklers or misting systems to control environmental temperatures during the hottest parts of the day. Monitor their use to avoid overly wet conditions that may lead to other health problems.
- Provide proper nutrition to build the animals’ immune systems and improve evaluation processes to monitor heat stress. For example, animals should be fed in the morning or late evening when outside temperatures are lower. This practice will also help animals to maintain feed intake, absorb nutrients, and reduce heat buildup during digestion. Proper nutrition should include high-quality forage, such as alfalfa, clover, ryegrass, Bermuda grass, vitamins A, E, C, and a selenium supplement to minimize heat stress. In addition, animals will always need a fresh supply of cool water for hydration and to ensure normal body functions. Water should be supplied in troughs under shade.
- Select breeds, such as Boer goats and Dorper sheep, that are more tolerant of hot weather. Consider crossbreeding to produce animals that can resist hotter climates.
- Conduct routine health checks during hot weather to detect signs of heat stress. Get trained on heat stress intervention strategies, and vaccination and parasite control practices.
- Consider using heat stress monitoring technology, including temperature and humidity sensors. Animals can also wear devices that monitor body temperatures and respiratory rates.
Conclusion
Goat and sheep producers can implement environmental, nutritional, breeding, and health management practices to mitigate heat stress. Adopting these practices helps to ensure animal welfare and improve farm productivity, particularly as climate change continues to impact global communities.
Heat Stress Relief in Sheep and Goats article source: https://www.aces.edu/
