Warning: Heat Stress, Sheep

Perfect summer weather but be on the lookout for heat stress in sheep e.g. an extended neck and increased panting, even when standing still.  If a sheep’s body temperature continues to increase, it will eventually collapse.  Counter intuitively, a thick fleece is not necessarily a bad thing as it helps regulate body temperature.  Conversely, newly shorn sheep can be more susceptible in this hot weather.

Actions to take:

• Avoid driving sheep long distances
• Only move a mob in early morning or late evening
• Minimise other stresses like vaccination etc if they can be delayed
• Provide shade but watch for fly problems
• Ensure a clean and adequate supply of water is available, noting that some small streams have dried-up.
• In early lambing flocks, shear tups but consider housing during the hottest part of the day.

Written by Robert Logan, for further information contact robert.ramsay@sac.co.uk