Be Pro-Active

Are you tempted to slack in hot weather?  We all would like to hibernate inside where the temperature is 68 degrees.  Use good sense when you do go out in the heat of the day.  Wear that wide brimmed hat, sunglasses, sun screen, and stay hydrated with water and sports drinks. Avoid energy drinks, soft drinks, and alcohol.    

Why do  you need to go to all of the trouble?  You have invested thousands of dollars in your animal project. Your animals need fresh water available 24/7.  Water evaporates faster in the summer therefore the risk of animals running out of water is higher.  An animal who is suffering from dehydration in the summer is more likely to expire.

As we mentioned earlier we would like to hibernate inside.  Your animals need a place with shade and ventilation so the breeze can help keep them cooler.  Routine animal welfare checks during the day is good animal husbandry practice. Ride your pastures to check on young animals  left behind by the herd during the day.  They haven't learned all of the natural survival habits as they are still learning from the mothers.  Check under anything a young animal might crawl under for shade.

Feeding animals in the cooler parts of the day helps too.  Animals are like humans they don't particularly like to eat when it is hot.  The cooler temperatures help animals digest their food for energy to help keep them sustained throughout the hot days.

Fair season is coming up soon.  Work with your animals early in the mornings or later in the cooler part of the evenings.  Both you and your projects will get a better workout because you aren't hot and tired.

Remember questions can be emailed to 11mileranch@gmail.com.

Take care.