Tips to Beat the Heat

For many of us, summer has come in full swing with it's hot and humid weather. If you're in the Midwest, you're additionally dealing with quite a heatwave thanks to all of the corn farming! Luckily, Arapawas have proven themselves hardy in all sorts of weather, but that doesn't always mean smooth sailing. Luckily, there are many ways to fight the heat waves that can benefit the goats and you!

• Always provide a shaded area for your goats. This can be natural shade like trees or a good shelter, but something to get out of the direct sun does a lot!

• Misters within a barn and good air flow are great for helping keep the air cool. Just be warned - higher humidity means higher heat.

• Frozen water bottles in water buckets can help provide cooler water for all your animals. Plus, any way to fight dehydration is best!

• Thick bedding often conducts more heat, but elevated beds can aid in providing more air flow underneath them while they lay down. I haven't seen a goat yet that hates to be a bit higher.

• Clipping your goats can also help provide a bit of relief. Not every farm chooses to do this, but it's also great if you plan to show.

Additionally, these goats have their own ways of cooling themselves off! Not only do they pant in extreme cases, but their horns are a great source of heat transfer. Keep an eye out for signs of dehydration and heat stroke, as always, and do your best to stay cool as well!

To our farmers out there: remember your sunscreen, lots of water, and take a page from their books - slow and steady when it's toasty outside!