- Provide access to clean cool water and shade.
- Limit activity to early morning or delay until after heat wave, this includes limiting activity such as handling, sorting, and delaying vaccinations until after heat wave, etc.
- Watch for signs of dehydration that can include lethargy, weight loss, gaunt, low urine output, constipated manure, tightening of the skin, lack of appetite, and drying of mucous membranes and eyes.
- Watch for signs of heat stress that can include increased respiration, labored or open-mouth breathing, and slobbering.
- Small ruminant males, especially castrated males have a tendency to develop urolithiasis or bladder stones. Insufficient water intake can precipitate an episode. Youth with fair goats might want to consider reducing grain and switching to more grass hay during the heat to prevent bladder stones.
- If animals are confined or in a barn, be sure there is air flow to help livestock to cope with extreme heat.
- Consider using misters or sprinklers to cool the environment and reduce ground temperatures. Make sure you have enough water to provide drinking water and misters/sprinklers. Don’t use sprinklers near feed or water, or the animals may avoid accessing. **It is important to note that thermal shock from cold water can kill livestock that are extremely stressed.
- If you experience livestock mortality, please report it to the local Agricultural commissioner or UC Cooperative Extension advisor, if there are extensive losses disaster assistance may be available.
- Butte County Agricultural Commissioner at [email protected] or 530-552-4100.
- Plumas, Sierra and Butte UC Cooperative Extension Livestock and Natural Resources Tracy Schohr at [email protected] or 916-716-2643.
- Final your local UCCE Advisor here.
- Additional Resources:
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