Water, shade, and less handling: tips for animal welfare in the heat

Water points need to be checked more often in times of high heat. | Giulia Botan

placeholder image — Water points need to be checked more often in times of high heat. | Giulia Botan

Pigs are particularly susceptible to heat stress and need careful monitoring.

As the country prepares for another unusually warm spell for the coming days, farmers are being advised to protect themselves and their animals, to avoid the possibility of serious health and welfare problems.

Farmers are also advised to be alert to the possibility of fire, as risk exists in all areas where dead grasses and dry shrubs such as heather and gorse are.

Animals and horses need a plentiful supply of drinking water during warm weather, and the number of watering points and water flow may need to be increased as demand increases.

Drinking points should be checked more often to ensure they are working and that water pressure is adequate. Stock should be monitored for signs of problems with water supply such as queuing or crowding at water points.

Vulnerable animals such as very young, old, or sick animals may need to be moved to a location with additional shade or shelter where they can be monitored more closely. Holding areas for livestock and horses should have shaded areas available where possible and holding times should be minimised.

Outdoor poultry should have access to shade, and outdoor pigs require access to a wallow to cool down, especially if the temperature is above 25° C, as pigs are particularly vulnerable to heat stress.

Intensively housed species such as pigs and poultry may need additional checks, and farmers are reminded to monitor the temperature closely and adjust ventilation accordingly. Where automatic ventilation systems are in place, increase the frequency of monitoring of alarm and back-up systems, and use water sprinklers for pigs to help cool them down.

The movement or handling of cattle and other animals during hot weather can increase their body temperature by 0.5 to 3.5° C, causing heat stress. Farmers are adivsed to minimise handling in hot weathe and, if necessary, to ensure animals are handled as early or late in the day as possible to coincide with cooler temperatures.

While farmers are advised to avoid transporting animals in hot weather where possible, if it is necessary, plan to minimise journey length, transport during cooler hours and reduce the stocking density to allow for more airflow inside the vehicle.

All livestock should be monitored closely for health issues or heat stress, and should always be checked more frequently in hot weather. Animals at a higher risk of heat stress include young, dark-coloured or pregnant animals, animals recovering from illness, pigs and high-producing dairy cows.

Signs of heat stress include faster breathing or panting; loss of appetite; increased water intake; drooling; listlessness or lethargy. In severe cases, animals may become unconscious.

If you suspect an animal may be heat stressed, it is vital to act quickly. Steps to manage heat stressed animals include moving them to shade or shelter; offering cool water; using sprinklers for cattle, pigs and horses, or allow the animals to stand in cool water; increase ventilation for housed species such as pigs and poultry; and reduce the stocking density to allow animals to lie out. If there is no improvement, seek veterinary assistance without delay.