Why keep goats cool during hot weather?
The hot summer heat can be very uncomfortable for us. But we have cooling fans, and air-conditioners and ice-creams to beat the heat. But what about the poor animals that spend most of their time outdoors? If you are raising goats as a hobby or for a business, you certainly have to devise ways to keep them cool when the weather is extremely hot. Too much heat not only reduces their appetite but is also potentially fatal for them. But how to keep goats cool in hot weather?
Goats are susceptible to heat stroke and can easily die from excess heat. Tolerance to heat also depends on the breed of goat you have. Some goats are very flexible to desert or tropical conditions, so it’s not very important to keep them cool. But other breeds are more used to colder climates and not very tolerant to excess heat. It’s important to understand the breed of goat you care for and their specific needs. Here are some neat tips on how to keep goats cool in hot weather.
Tips on how to keep goats cool in hot weather.
- The most important tip of all is to keep them well-hydrated with fresh water. During hot weather, goats would need double the amount of water they normally drink. Make sure the water you provide is clean and fresh. If you think your goats are not drinking enough water, you can give them some hydrating solutions like Kool-Aid or Gatorade.
- Goats have to be provided with plenty of shade. While they might graze most of the time, when the sun is high, you will find them looking for shade. It is best to plant trees around them. Or you can build them some shade in the form of a temporary tent or tarp.
- Give them ice and salt.Adding some ice cubes to their water will help keep them cool. Or put some cubes in their pen for them to lick. That will help cool their tongues. Keeping their water cool with make it taste fresh and make them want more. Giving them slat licks or mineral blocks will help them revive energy lost by excessive sweating.
- Install indoor or outdoor fans. If you like spoiling your goats with every luxury they deserve, you can install some fans to keep them cool. Fans will keep air moving, but it’s not as important as proper ventilation. Make sure that your goats’ housing is properly ventilated. And avoid keeping them crowded together.
- Misters are a great way to keep the goats cool. They can be programmed to spray mists of water into the air occasionally, so the goats are prevented from getting too warm.
- Rinsing them during the day is also a good idea. When temperatures are rising high, you have to make sure the goats’ internal temperatures are at a safe and healthy level. Spraying cool water suddenly on a hot animal will shock them. So give the bath during the cooler part of the day or in the evenings. Of course, it does not have to be a fancy procedure with soap and a towel. Just grab the garden hose to spray them down and let the water dry off by itself.
- Build your goats caves and trenches. This could be both cooling and entertaining for them. Dig some holes the size of a goat so that they can take cover when the heat is high. It’s hard work for you, but it’s worth keeping them safe from the heat.
- Reduce their feed. No, you are not being cruel. Eating to the full during a hot day can heat them too much, which is dangerous. Let them eat the bare minimum and make up for the rest with cool water.
- One of the most important rules to keep in mind when goat farming is to select the breeds that are best suited for your climate. Some breeds cannot adjust when the heat is too challenging. If you are living in a state where summers are extreme, you would have to find goats that are suitable. Angora goats are less tolerant to heat, and goats with loose skin and floppy ears are more resistant to heat. Dark-colored sheep are more heat resistant than light-colored ones.
- Avoid dehorning goats. The horns of goats are designed to help them release heat and act as radiators. Farmers tend to dehorn goats for safety and economic reasons, but horns are important for goats to regulate their temperature.
Heat is dangerous for your goats!
Try not to work them too much during the heat. Just leave them to rest. Don’t throw cold water over them during extreme heat as it will cause them shock, so keep rinsing to the cooler parts of the day. Don’t try shaving their hair in an attempt to keep them cooler because they need the hair to shelter from the heat. It acts as protection.
Watch for signs of a heat stroke. If your goat is panting excessively and unable to stand, or if you discover that it has an internal temperature of over 104 degrees, it may be suffering from heat stroke. It’s always helpful to keep a digital temperature with you to check their temperatures. If it’s too high, take them to a cooler place with good ventilation to help the temperature come down. You can cover them with a cool towel to help.
How to keep goats cool in hot weather: A Summary
Keeping your goats cool during hot weather can be challenging, especially if the heat is too high and you have a large herd. It would help you to think ahead and plant trees and build shade before the hot season. And more importantly, select breeds that are most suited to your climate. Excessive heat can be dangerous to your goats and can even cause death, so be cautious. Follow the tips above on how to keep goats cool in hot weather to protect them from extreme climate and possible death.
Please read this article on the advantages and disadvantages of goat farming.