It's Official! Summer is here!
Beating the Heat: Helping Your Animals Thrive All Summer Long
Summer is one of the best times of the year. Long days, green pastures, fresh gardens, watermelon, lake time, and plenty of time outdoors. But while we’re reaching for an ice-cold drink and a shady spot, our animals are relying on us to help them stay comfortable when temperatures climb.
Whether you have a horse in the pasture, goats on the hillside, rabbits in hutches, or a backyard flock of laying hens, a few simple (yet extremely important!) management practices can make a tremendous difference in their health, productivity, and overall well-being.
The good news? Keeping animals cool doesn’t have to be complicated. It just takes a little planning and a lot of common sense. Often, the ways that us humans cool off, is exactly what our furry (and feathered) friends need as well. (including that watermelon!)
Shade Isn’t Optional—It’s Essential
The first line of defense against summer heat is shade.
Animals naturally seek relief from direct sunlight, but only if it’s available. Large trees are one of the best natural cooling systems you can provide. Their dense canopy not only blocks the sun but also creates cooler ground temperatures beneath them. And willows are even more amazing, as they release tiny droplets of water from their leaves. Stand underneath one and see for yourself! It feels amazing.
How Do Trees Cool the Air? The Science Explained - ScienceInsights
If natural shade isn’t available, consider:
· Portable shade structures
· Three-sided loafing sheds: loafing shed - Search Images
· Shade cloths over runs or pens
· Large bushes or windbreak plantings that create protected resting areas
When building or placing shelters, think about airflow as much as shade. A shelter that traps hot air can actually become warmer than standing outside. Position openings to catch prevailing breezes and allow air to move freely through the structure.
Moving air is one of nature’s best air conditioners. Especially when combined with shade and a little water.
Fresh Water Is More Important Than Ever
Water is one of the fastest ways animals regulate body temperature.
During hot weather, animals drink significantly more water than they do during cooler months. Water that’s dirty, stale, or hot from sitting in the sun may discourage them from drinking enough. Animals need this fresh water, just like you and me.
A few simple habits go a long way:
· Refill water frequently. Dump out the old, refill with the new.
· Scrub algae and slime from waterers.
· Keep troughs in shaded locations whenever possible. A metal waterer can heat up fast!
· Add additional watering stations if several animals share one source.
· Check water multiple times a day during heat waves.
Cool, clean water is so important to your animals’ health!
Brad’s words of wisdom…
https://youtube.com/shorts/QOhsAENb8hw?si=ZkVUlGlS4td4FnR9
“Just Add Water”
Sometimes Mother Nature needs a helping hand.
Many livestock enjoy cooling off with water when temperatures soar.
Some practical ideas include:
· Misters around loafing areas
· Sprinklers set on timers during the hottest part of the afternoon
· Lightly wetting dusty pens to reduce heat reflected from the ground
· Kiddie pools for ducks and geese
· Cooling mats or frozen water bottles placed near rabbit hutches (without allowing direct contact that could cause discomfort)
For horses and cattle, a gentle rinse with cool water can quickly lower body temperature after exercise or on especially hot afternoons. Just be sure animals have an opportunity to dry naturally and aren’t left standing in stagnant mud.
When we raised meat chickens on pasture, sometimes the hot summer days were still, no breeze. Although the chickens were in the shade of their shelters, the air was hot! We would spray down the tops of their shelters (which were made of tarps) and the birds would perk up and stop panting in just minutes! We simply made this an afternoon chore: spray down the shelters.
Feed Matters More Than You Think
One often-overlooked part of heat management is nutrition.
Digesting feed actually produces heat inside the animal’s body. That’s why properly balanced rations become especially important during the summer months.
For our laying hens, Red Bridge Farm’s Summer Ration is specifically designed with warm weather in mind. It provides the high-quality protein hens need to maintain excellent egg production while slightly reducing the added energy from our cold-pressed oil that birds simply don’t require as much of during the hottest months.
The result is a ration that better matches your flock’s seasonal nutritional needs while continuing to support healthy feathers, strong shells, and consistent laying.
Our other Red Bridge Farm feed rations are also carefully formulated to provide balanced nutrition throughout the summer, helping livestock maintain body condition and performance without unnecessary excess energy. This includes swine, goat, sheep, horse and rabbit.
Good nutrition doesn’t just help animals survive the heat—it helps them thrive through it.
Product Overview – Red Bridge Feed Co.
Watch for Signs of Heat Stress
Animals can’t tell us they’re getting too hot, so we have to watch for the warning signs.
Keep an eye out for:
· Heavy or rapid breathing
· Excessive panting
· Drooping and spread-out wings in poultry
· Reduced appetite
· Lethargy
· Standing with legs spread apart to release body heat
· Seeking shade and refusing to move
· Reduced egg production or slower growth
If you notice these signs, move quickly. Provide shade, cool fresh water, improve airflow, and reduce activity until the animal recovers.
Small Changes Make a Big Difference
Keeping animals comfortable during the summer isn’t about expensive equipment or elaborate facilities. Most of the time, success comes from paying attention to the basics:
· Plenty of shade
· Constant access to fresh, cool water
· Good airflow
· Practical cooling methods like misters or sprinklers
· A nutritionally balanced summer feeding program
These simple practices reduce stress, support immune function, maintain production, and help ensure your animals remain healthy throughout the hottest months of the year.
At Red Bridge Farm, we believe healthy animals start with thoughtful management and exceptional nutrition. Summer is simply another opportunity to give them the care they deserve.
Because when your animals feel better, us humans feel better—and that’s something everyone can appreciate.
Bonus Content!
Check out this short video with Bekah to see a fun, tasty, and COOL summer treat for your chickens!
