[Tree Farmer]

Hi everyone, my two AN kids are panting a lot this afternoon - I guess this is natural hot weather behaviour but just wanted to check...? They have access to plenty of water and shade. Is there anything else I should do?

[doganjo]

I'm having the same thing with my dogs so haven't taken them fro a run today - they are just sloping around the back half acre, lying down, getting up, walking a bit, having  alp of water, lying down again - let's just hope we get enough of this heat for  them to get used to it.  Me?  I'm used to it now - bring it on.


Seriously, though, if they have space to get away from the sun, shaded areas, plenty water, that's all you can do except maybe turn a hosepipe spray on them if you don't have a ban where you are

[plumseverywhere]

Yesterday Puffin and her 10 week old kid were hammering it up and down the hill, jumping on their table and being bonkers. the Pair of them were panting, couldnt' calm them down    I think provision of shelter, shade and plenty of fresh water is the best we can do!
The sheep are needing shearing and I really feel for them, can't wait for the shearer to come!

[ballingall]

If they are youngish kids, I would perhaps try to shut them someplace in the shade. I had this problem in June last year as I had a late may kid. Would often have to take her out of the field, even though there was shade there, she didn't seem quite clued up enough to use it. Maybe mine was just a stupid kid!


Beth

[little blue]

one of ours was panting even in the shade - I wonder if the peculiar weather has meant her winter coat is still on - she hasn't moulted as much as G, and has a really thick coat.
 
Its all come as a bit of shock, when last weekend was so bloomin' cold!

[Lesley Silvester]

Mine were panting in the shade as well.  Last night when OH collected the buckets, their water bucket was empty.  They don't usually drink more than half.  Today I checked early afternoon and it was nearly all gone, despite filling it more so I topped it up.  Just have to keep checking.
 
I've tried wetting a goat when it was very hot and she was most indignant.  Lay out in the full sun until she had dried off.   

[jaykay]

If you're furry then you can't sweat to cool down so you have to lose heat by panting. That in itself isn't a problem, any more than sweating is a problem. It's if panting is insufficient to lower the temperature enough  that it becomes an issue. Not often in Britain if they can get into some shade.


Last year I turned the hose onto fine mist spray and the kids loved it and keep running through it :-) Ok for me though as my water is from the beck, not much good if you've got a hosepipe ban.


Shade and plenty of drinking water is the best that can be done then.

[poppy2012]

i have a young kid being bottle fed, so i just gave her some water in the bottle after her milk, she seemed happy to take it! heard its going to cool now which im glad of!!

[Anke]

Last year I turned the hose onto fine mist spray and the kids loved it and keep running through it :-) Ok for me though as my water is from the beck, not much good if you've got a hosepipe ban.

For animal welfare reasons I think you are allowed to use a hosepipe even in a ban.

[benkt]

For animal welfare reasons I think you are allowed to use a hosepipe even in a ban.

Indeed you can!
http://www.hosepipeban.org.uk/2012/03/19/animals-and-the-hosepipe-ban/