It is stupidly, insanely, brutally hot in Central Virginia. Yesterday the high was 102. Today is expected to get up to 103 and tomorrow will also top 100.
The sheep are suffering mightily.
The goats on marginally less so.
The flock spends most of the day seeking shade and drinking water. We’re going through 150 gallons or so a day and we have to top off the tanks every hour or so with fresh, cool water to keep them drinking it. We’re adding electrolytes and apple cider vinegar as well.
Everyone has a very spot that they return to each day. Colorado and Buster share one of the run-in sheds.
Cosmo takes up a whole shed by himself.
Miss Linda and the rest of the goats stay in the back pasture where the shade of the trees and the slight breeze keep them cool.
Hannah
Jasmine
Waldorf and Statler
Ernie is the one I’m most concerned about. He’s just so big. He’s panting like crazy, but he’s hanging in there.
Even the chickens are suffering. They spend their afternoons in the landscaping, only coming out when I call them to come over for cool treats like watermelon and peaches.
The forecast is calling for cooler temps (92!) starting Monday. Till then we’ll just keep encouraging everyone to hydrate and keep the barn fans running.
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Even Chappy is panting–and he’s inside in the air conditioning! (And we’re a LITTLE cooler here in NJ … but not much.)
Poor babies! Can you put up a sprinkler for them? What is going on back there with the heat? The desert is on my half of the country.
This has been a heck of a July, hasn’t it? Here’s hoping for more comfortable days ahead, and soon.
Mydogpetey, I asked Susie about the sprinkler a while back…the issue with sheep is the wool holds the water – the water heats up from the sun and then the sheep can actually get hotter if their fleece is wet! If the wind were blowing and the humidity lower we could set up some sprinklers and the wind would keep their fleece from holding the water.
I thought it was lots cooler down in the back pasture by the woods where the goats were this morning but the sheep just don’t hang out down there for some reason and we don’t have any fencing options for keeping them down there either. Poor babies…
This summer really has been brutally hot in this part of the country. It’s unnatural and I hate it. Can only imagine how the poor babies feel with wool and mohair coats on. Do you suppose Texas would have been a cooler choice? Imagine that! TX cooler than MD!?
Another question I’ve been wondering – is it possible they will grow less wool/less mohair as a result of the temps? Over time, I mean? I curious whether that’s how they might adapt to their new environment…Wait! Forget I asked that – I don’t mean to invite a new worry or concern over shares!
how we worry about you all! The poor critters – hate to see them suffering so – but Dutchess County is bad too, so you would have been dealing with this up here as well. Prayers for a cool wind and lower temps – hang in there!
I ran a mister in the big paddock for my donkeys. They’re making a muddy mess….. but they really seem to like it (and so do I). It only uses about 10 gallons per hour, but it decreases the temperature 25 degrees or more with the evaporation. It,s just two small mister nozzles about 10 feet up on the trees by the hammock… but it works great
The last time I saw Waldorf and Statler, they were still in the birthing pen and struggling to stand up! Look at those two boys! Wow!
Could put a tub of water/block of ice in front of the fan to cool that air…
Wish I could send some of the Bay Area cool summer to you.
who’s the darker goat? Thanks for the pics of the flock!! Good luck today with the new arrivals… I am sure we will see them soon, as soon as you can. We know how full your plate is…
Fran, the dark goat is Roquefort, our one colored animal. I’ll take loads of pics and get them up right away when Aberdeen and Leo arrive. We think they’ll be here around 9 a.m.. Squeeee!
I feel like I’m signing your yearbook; “Have a great summer! Be cool! BFF!”
I can’t wait for the new arrivals. Since I don’t have AC, I’ve been spending quite a lot of time in my local drinking establishments and telling every bartender in town about the mule that MAKES BABIES.
We are having the same high temperatures in Florence, Alabama. Upper 90′s and hit 100 Friday & 102 Saturday. No rain in over a week. The high humidity will take your breath away. Your clothes will get damp in just a few minutes. I am trying to make my dog stay in the house most of the time, he likes staying outside under my car in the garage. I make him come in every night to stay inside. I fix him iced water to try to help keep him cool.
I can’t believe how big Statler and Waldrof are getting! My babies are all grown up!!