Courtesy of Danielle Langloism, Wikipedia CCLIt’s Hot
Just a couple short months ago we in the midwest were worrying about the sub zero temperatures and their effect on our herds. Now the heat wave has already begun.
Goats generally fare well in warm climates but that doesn’t mean you can just leave them to their own devices. Some breeds handle heat better than others just as the same holds true for cold weather.
When the thermostat starts to rise, goats need water. Lots of water. Clean and cool, not scummy, mosquito egg hatchery water. They need salt and shade and a breeze would be nice too.
Housing should have decent ventilation so the air circulates and they should have access to the outside, particularly if your ventilation isn’t great. As we all know, trees make excellent shade but in lieu of trees, tarps can be suspended on poles, out of reach of the goat’s curious chewing.
Watch for flies. Flies love heat and flies love poop and goats in the summertime provide both. Biting flies can cause health problems for goats so use some fly predators or repellant if you’re into that. Vicks on the forehead keeps flies off of the goaties’ faces but has to be reapplied periodically and don’t put it where a tongue can reach.
It’s good to remember that if you’re hot sitting in the yard reading a book, your goats are even hotter down there in the pasture in their fur coats.
Vicks on the forhead. Hmm never heard of that one before.
Old dairy farmer trick my mother taught me. Just don’t get it in their eyes or nose cuz it burns like hell.
I rub Skin So Soft on mine. It helps heal bad bug bites and drive flies away. But apparently it smells too good cuz theyall want to lick each other and end up getting in major fights. so i just spray unscented bug spray on the ones that need it (I have one allergic to flies:P)
Thanks for the tips! Flies are a real pain when you’re milking too. My does and I are both kicking while trying not to tip the bucket! =)