Sheep are susceptible to heat stress, especially in states like Maryland, where high temperatures are often accompanied by high humidity. While sheep and goats tend to be less susceptible to heat stress than other livestock, they can still suffer from heat exhaustion or heat stroke, especially if handled during the hottest part of the day. Woolly animals should be sheared prior to the onset of hot weather to keep them cool in the summer and prevent overheating. Sheep with a one-inch fleece are more comfortable than sheep with less wool, as wool fibres dissipate heat more rapidly. Access to shade, clean water, and good ventilation are also important factors in managing livestock during hot weather.
What You'll Learn
- Woolly sheep are less susceptible to heat stress than hair sheep
- Sheep should be shorn before hot weather arrives
- Sheep require access to shade and water to prevent heat stress
- Heat stress is indicated by continual panting, rapid breathing, weakness, and an elevated rectal temperature
- Heat stress can have a detrimental impact on productivity and reproduction
Woolly sheep are less susceptible to heat stress than hair sheep
Sheep, like other livestock, are susceptible to heat stress. However, compared to other livestock such as swine, cattle, llamas, and alpacas, sheep are less likely to experience heat stress. Among sheep, hair sheep are generally more heat-tolerant than woolly sheep. This is due to their ability to adapt to hot environments, rather than the type of coat they possess.
The susceptibility to heat stress varies within the sheep species as well. Smaller animals tend to be more tolerant than larger ones. Sheep with white coats are more heat-tolerant than those with dark coats. Additionally, sheep from hot environments are more adapted to heat than commercial wool breeds.
To manage heat stress in sheep, it is crucial to provide access to shade, clean water, and proper ventilation. Reducing physical heat through low-stress stock handling techniques is also beneficial.
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Sheep should be shorn before hot weather arrives
Sheep are susceptible to heat stress, especially in places where high temperatures are accompanied by high humidity. While sheep are less susceptible to heat stress than swine, cattle, llamas, and alpacas, they can still suffer from heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
Woolly animals should be shorn before the onset of hot weather. A thick fleece is mostly immune to temperature changes due to its insulating properties, but in hot weather, a sheep's wool can cause overheating. Sheep with a one-inch fleece are more comfortable than sheep with less wool, as wool fibres dissipate heat more rapidly. Spring shearing allows sheep to have adequate wool growth to keep them cool in the summer and a full wool coat in the winter to keep them warm.
Sheep that are not shorn before hot weather can suffer from heat stress, which can lead to reduced conception rates and lower lamb birth weights. Heat stress can also impair reproduction in rams, decrease milk production in ewes, and negatively impact the growth and welfare of lambs.
Therefore, to prevent heat stress and its associated negative consequences, it is important to ensure that sheep are shorn before the arrival of hot weather.
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Sheep require access to shade and water to prevent heat stress
Sheep are susceptible to heat stress, especially in hot and humid climates. While sheep are less susceptible to heat stress than other livestock such as swine, cattle, llamas, and alpacas, it is crucial to take preventive measures to ensure their well-being. Sheep require access to shade and water to prevent heat stress and maintain their body temperature within a safe range.
Sheep with thick fleeces are generally more comfortable as wool fibres dissipate heat rapidly. However, during hot weather, woolly animals should be shorn to prevent overheating. Spring shearing is ideal, as it allows sheep to have adequate wool growth to keep them cool in the summer and a full wool coat in the winter. Additionally, lambs should be shorn to improve their growth and welfare during hot months. It is important to note that sheep should not be shorn in extreme heat, as it can be detrimental to their health.
To prevent heat stress, it is essential to provide sheep with plenty of clean, cool, and fresh water. Water consumption in sheep increases significantly during the summer, and they may drink more water than necessary as a pre-adaptation to potential heat stress and water deprivation. Access to shade is also crucial. While there is debate about whether grazing livestock require shade, studies have shown that shade improves animal welfare and may enhance weight gain, milk production, and reproduction. Simple shade structures can be constructed using shade cloth, mesh fabric, tarps, or sheet metal.
During hot weather, it is best to minimise handling and transportation of sheep. If necessary, these activities should be carried out during the coolest times of the day, such as early morning or late evening. Additionally, nutrient-dense diets are preferred during periods of high heat as poor-quality feed generates more body heat during digestion.
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Heat stress is indicated by continual panting, rapid breathing, weakness, and an elevated rectal temperature
Sheep are susceptible to heat stress, especially in states like Maryland, where high temperatures are often accompanied by high humidity. Heat stress is indicated by continual panting, rapid breathing, weakness, and an elevated rectal temperature.
Continual panting is a key indicator of heat stress in sheep. As temperatures rise, sheep begin to pant to cool themselves down. The degree of panting can indicate the severity of heat stress. In mild heat stress, sheep may show mild to fast panting with their mouths closed. As the heat stress intensifies, sheep progress to fast panting with their mouths slightly open, and the tongue is not extended beyond the lips. In severe heat stress, sheep exhibit rapid, open-mouth panting with their necks extended, heads held up, and tongues protruding. In extreme heat stress, the panting becomes more laboured, with the tongue fully extended and the head often lowered.
In addition to panting, other respiratory changes may occur, such as an increased respiratory rate or rapid breathing. This is a crucial indicator of heat stress, as sheep typically lose about 65% of their body heat through panting.
Weakness is another sign of heat stress in sheep. They may become lethargic and recumbent, struggling to stand or move. This is a result of the cascading effect of heat stress on their biological functions, including depressed feed intake and reduced feed efficiency.
Elevated rectal temperature is a critical indicator of heat stress. A rectal temperature above 105°F (40.6°C) indicates heat stress, and if it exceeds 107°F (41.7°C), the situation becomes life-threatening as the animal's cells begin to degenerate.
It is important to note that sheep with shorter wool are more susceptible to heat stress, as radiant energy can penetrate their skin more easily. Additionally, lambs, ewes in late gestation, and stock under one year old are particularly vulnerable.
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Heat stress can have a detrimental impact on productivity and reproduction
Productivity
Heat stress can cause a reduction in feed intake, which is a natural, protective, and adaptive mechanism used by animals under high ambient temperatures to counteract the increase in metabolic heat production. This can lead to a decrease in growth rates and an increased susceptibility to diseases.
Reproduction
Heat stress can reduce mating behaviour and fertility in both ewes and rams, increase embryonic mortality, impair embryo development, and reduce lamb birth weight. It can also negatively affect prenatal and postnatal offspring development in ewes.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, sheep can get heat strokes if they aren't shorn. Woolly animals should be shorn prior to the onset of hot weather. However, sheep should not be shorn in extreme heat.
Clinical signs of heat stress in sheep include continual panting, rapid breathing, weakness, inability to stand, and an elevated rectal temperature (over 105ºF/40.6ºC).
To prevent heat stress, ensure your sheep have access to shade, plenty of clean and cool water, and adequate wool length.