07/16/2026
I know these arent photos of sheep, but what I see here is some of the most important parts of caring for animals.
In this summer of weekly heat waves and now smoke from the wildfires in Canada we here are taking a HANDS OFF approach to our animals.
I am feeding grains and filling waters well before it reaches 85 degrees, which on some days that means 530am.
I am doing evening feeds and waters once temps drop to below 85 as well, which for some of us thats past our bedtime. My sheep have access to pasture or hay 24/7 so they can be able to spend the majority of their dusk and dawn hours eating and most of the peak heat times chewing cud and lounging.
If you insist on keeping to your schedule rather than work within the comfort of your animals on these hottest days and are feeding when theyve had a long hot day of panting you risk bloat, acidosis etc. Not to mention the discomfort of a hot working rumen while the outside temperatures are stifling.
The one thing I cannot stress enough about any animals is that excitement either happy running up to eat, or nervous being chased for a vaccine does NOT happen in temperatures where there is abnormally high, or excessively prolonged humidity, temperatures, or adverse weather like wildfire smoke from thousands of miles away.
They are monitored as often as possible with a quick glance to make sure no one is stuck in a fence, feeling ill, panting more than is comfortable, or hasnt moved in 2-3 hours. I monitor from as far as possible with binoculars so everyone stays comfy and not jumping up to see if I have bananas.
All water is kept in the darkest shaded spot, all animals have access to under thick tree cover which at our place is the coolest spot. No grains are fed after temps start getting uncomfortable. Waters get checked mid day and I top off with cool water and electrolytes. If anyone appears like they are havjng a hard time I quietly bring a bucket of electrolytes to.them on the outside of the fence if possible and usually they are greatful especially old guys and gals. At this point in the year do not shear. Wool will protect from excessive heat, so taking off the sun barrier is like making them walk out there in a wet suit. Leave it till you have a week of cloudy rainy weather ahead to give lanolin and that tiny bit of wool cover sensitive skin. Unless you have a well ventilated barn and can keep them inside. Although most times a shady tree is a preferred environment by sheep due to the cool ground and full access to whatever breeze there may be. Fans help, but can just push hot humid air around and not provide actual relief.
As far as the wildfires, and activity increases respiration and elevates heart rate which will cause greater intake of polluted air.
Leave them be if they are cool calm and safe.
Humidity like we have here in Delaware can be as dangerous as polluted air, so i take the humidity into consideration as well when planning big moves, or stressful activities.
If you find signs of heat exhaustion sheep are not like dogs, mine are used to me being hands and will walk up for just about anything I want to do, but if you have flighty sheep I recommend putting off anything that you need them chased, herded or upset for another time where you have at least a day of cloudy or lower temp days. Usually my limit is 85 degrees, high humidity or poor air quality reduces that to 80.
If you find a sheep too far into heat exhaustion you can hose their belly and legs as well as the neck where the jugular is, but do not wet the whole sheep if they are in heavy fleece as that takes all insulating properties away and again you have a wetsuit effect. Offer watermelon or even just a fan on them can help. If they are showing severe signs then obviously move into shade, take a temp and start cooling while someone phones the vet. While a temp of 105 can be expected with a hot animal once you start going above that you risk the brain overheating and that damage is hard to come back from.
Additionally parasites are rampant in parts in the summer months and having anemia from parasites makes cooling even harder for an already low oxygen body. Watch those recently treated, as well as any questionable sheep by checking their Famacha score. In the beginning of the summer Some pre- adverse weather prep I do is watch how the sun looks in the middle of the day and I am proactive about where I place my water troughs and feed stations. Access to salt and minerals is also crucial to keeping sheep healthy when excess drinking causes them to lose moisture more quickly thus requiring replacement more often. Summer is not a time to let minerals run low.
I hope this helps some of you with smaller flocks who just want to help. I help my guys by doing basically nothing, and sometimes thats the best you can do.
Post additional questions in the comments and i'll help as best as I can, as I am not a substitute for veterinary advice.
