American Humane Society Shares Hot Weather Safety Tips for Animals on Farms
As summer temperatures continue to soar across the country, farm animals are vulnerable to dangerous heat stress and dehydration. American Humane Society, the United States’ first national humane organization and the world’s largest certifier of animal welfare practices, is sharing veterinarian-backed safety tips to help keep farm animals safe during the hottest days of the year.
“Farm animals can suffer serious health consequences if not properly protected during hot days,” said Dr. Robin Ganzert, President and CEO of American Humane Society. “From cows and pigs to chickens and goats, every animal deserves to be safe and cared for during extreme weather.”
With a few simple precautions, farmers, ranchers, and anyone taking care of farm animals can help ensure they stay cool, hydrated, and comfortable throughout the summer months.
- Ensure access to clean, cool water: Animals can become dehydrated quickly in high heat. Some farm animals can double or even triple their water intake during the hottest parts of summer. Make sure animals have access to water sources in a shaded area and that sources are checked frequently throughout the day. You can also offer foods high in water content, like watermelon or frozen peas in a bucket of water, to encourage hydration in poultry.
- Provide shade: Whether it’s a naturally wooded area, trees, shade cloth, or a roofed barn, shade should always be offered and positioned to maximize airflow and prevent crowding of animals.
- Improve airflow: One of the best ways to dissipate heat for farm animals is increasing airflow. This can be achieved by using fans or even using tunnel ventilation in more controlled environments. Ventilation should be checked daily for efficacy and should be designed to prevent overcrowding and heat buildup from animals.
- Provide sprinklers: Offering sprinklers can help the farm animals cool off through evaporative cooling.
- Adjust feeding schedules: Feed animals during the coolest parts of the day, early morning or in the evening. During extended periods of heat, it may benefit to feed them in the evening so that digestion occurs during cooler hours.
- Reduce handling: Avoid handling or transporting livestock during the hottest
parts of the day. Aim to handle animals only when necessary, during early morning or in the evening. - Monitor for signs of heat stress: Common signs of heat stress in farm animals are panting, drooling or foaming at the mouth, lethargy, decreased food intake, and open mouth breathing. To prevent illness, have an emergency cooling plan to decrease heat load and have an active veterinary client patient relationship in case veterinary assistance is needed.
For more information on the American Humane Farm Program, please visit: https://www.americanhumane.org/what-we-do/certify-humane-treatment/farms/
About American Humane Society
American Humane Society is the United States’ first national humane organization and the world’s largest certifier of animal welfare, helping to verify the humane treatment of more than one billion animals across the globe each year. Founded in 1877, American Humane Society has been at the forefront of virtually every major advancement in the humane movement to rescue, care for and protect animals. For more information or to support
