What grazing animals need in the summer heat

According to Schweizer Tierschutz STS unrestricted access to fresh water in the barn and on the pasture is also essential. If there are no natural sources of shade on the pasture, structural measures such as shelters with enough space for all animals must compensate for this.

Cows generally prefer cool conditions (between 4 and 16°C) and can already suffer from heat stress at outdoor temperatures of 24°C and above, particularly as humidity rises. Cows can dissipate heat through breathing, but at high temperatures this causes their breathing rate to increase. Normally it is 20–30 breaths per minute. In the summer heat, however, it rises to up to 100 breaths per minute, which is stressful for the animals. The animals' body temperature also rises, meaning they require more fluid. Depending on their lactation status, this is on average 80 to 140 litres per day under normal conditions — in the heat, however, cows need much more water, 180 litres or more per day. Unrestricted access to cool, fresh water must therefore be guaranteed. On persistently hot summer days, it is advisable to let the animals graze at night, recommends the Swiss animal welfare organisation STS.

A sweating, heavily breathing, panting cow is suffering from heat stress and needs relief as quickly as possible through appropriate cooling measures — for example, repeatedly dousing with cold water (with short pauses between applications to allow for evaporation) and the opportunity to immediately retreat to a cool barn with an adequate water supply. For this to be effective, valve drinkers with a flow rate of at least 20 litres per minute or drinking troughs with at least 30 litres per minute are required.

In summer, cooling must be ensured in cattle barns. There are already some fully air-conditioned stables, but these are far from the norm. Therefore, a generous supply of fresh air with some airflow must be provided so that cows can also cool down inside the barn. It must be taken into account that cows lie down less in the heat — they often stand in spots in the barn where a breeze blows. A sufficient number of such spots should be made available so that all animals can cool down, including those of lower rank. In addition, ceiling, wall, and larger floor fans can be helpful. Modern stables are equipped with sprinkler systems that distribute water as a fine mist in the air. This creates evaporative cooling, which helps the animals cool down. To prevent the barn from getting too hot in the first place, stables should be situated near shade-providing trees, or stable roofs should be greened.

Pigs can barely sweat

Since pigs only have sweat glands in the area of the snout disc and between their toes, these are insufficient to cool the animal down outdoors on pasture at 25°C and above (in the shade). Pasture pigs therefore need a cool surface to lie on, or even better, a deep, muddy wallow where they can roll around and cool down at the same time. After a mud bath, evaporative cooling also protects against the heat, and the mud on the skin provides protection against sunburn.

In addition, according to Swiss Animal Protection STS, pasture pigs require sufficient shaded areas and access to ample fresh water. Since pigs are sensitive to heat, they are mostly kept in air-conditioned stables in Switzerland. However, if pastures are designed to offer enough shaded spots and watering points, pigs can certainly be kept outdoors more frequently, even in summer.

Chickens spread their wings and open their beaks

Chickens also quickly suffer from heat stress, which is why fresh air and air movement in chicken coops helps prevent overheating. Chickens kept outdoors likewise need a sufficient number of shaded areas — as natural as possible — and constant access to fresh water. From temperatures of 28°C and rising humidity, chickens have difficulty regulating their body temperature. They cannot sweat and attempt to release heat through their tongue, mucous membranes, wings, and skin.

On hot days, it can often be observed that chickens spread their wings. This allows air to reach their skin and body beneath their plumage, which in turn enables heat dissipation through air circulation. By panting with their beaks slightly open, chickens can exhale some warm air. However, this is not sufficient at high temperatures and without air movement, which is why natural shade providers in outdoor enclosures and multiple water drinkers offer the quickest and most efficient remedy.

Unshorn sheep can suffer heat death in summer

From the perspective of the Swiss Animal Protection STS, sheep should be shorn by June at the latest for summer grazing. Their fleece becomes increasingly dense and, due to the heavy wool load on summer days, can cause heat stress and heat buildup starting at just 25°C, which can result in the animals' agonizing death. But shearing alone is not enough: sheep require many shaded spots on the pasture that provide room for all animals, especially because the closely shorn fleece offers insufficient protection for the underlying skin against sunburn. If no natural shade providers are available, artificial ones must be created.

Since the water requirements of grazing sheep also increase in summer, this must be addressed with unrestricted access to clean water sources for animals of all age groups. Sheep require approximately 2–4 litres of water per day. Nursing sheep and summer heat can raise this to more than 10 litres per day per animal. Grazing sheep should therefore be provided with various drinking options, as herd members have differing needs.

What should you do if you observe animals on a pasture without access to shade?

Always try to notify the animal keeper first. If they cannot be reached, contact the police and the veterinary authority. The regional animal welfare association can also often provide assistance, as can the recommendations of veterinarians.

Never enter a herd of cattle, especially not a herd of mother cows! Nor a flock of sheep (livestock guardian dogs, rams, but also ewes could be aggressive). In the meantime, one may attempt to obtain fresh water from outside and supply it to the animals.

You can help all animals and our planet with compassion. Choose empathy on your plate and in your glass. Go vegan.