Haws Genetics & Club Lambs

23 hours ago

🌞ITS THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN🌞

Summer Heat Stress in Sheep: A Few Things We've Learned

I feel compelled to share this information.

I'm not a veterinarian, but we've dealt with our share of heat stress over the years living in South Texas. This is simply what we've observed and what has worked for us. Every situation is different, so work with your veterinarian on the best treatment plan for your flock.

Heat stress isn't caused by temperature alone. It's usually a combination of factors:

🌡️ High temperatures
💧 High humidity
☀️ UV Index pushing 10+
🌧️ All the recent rain making lots wet and humidity even worse

On top of that, sheep carrying a parasite load, fighting a respiratory infection, or dealing with digestive inflammation simply don't handle heat nearly as well. A problem that might be minor during cooler weather can become a major issue once summer arrives.

One of the first things I tell people is...

Take their temperature.

A lamb that's off feed, standing by itself, sluggish, or just "not acting right" needs a thermometer before anything else.

🌡️ Normal: 102-103.5°F
⚠️ 104°F+

Start paying close attention. Begin cooling the animal, provide shade, fresh water, and electrolytes while trying to determine what's causing the fever.

🚨 105°F+: This is an emergency. They need immediate attention‼️

What often happens is a mild respiratory infection or another underlying illness causes a fever. Add 100° Texas temperatures, oppressive humidity, and intense sunshine, and that fever can snowball into full-blown heat stress.

When that happens you'll often see:

•Off feed and decreased water intake
• Hunched-up appearance
• Trembling or muscle stiffness
• Weakness and reluctance to move
• Progressive dehydration

Once they're dehydrated, everything compounds quickly.

Management Tips

✅ Stay ahead of respiratory issues.
✅ Keep parasite loads under control.
✅ Provide plenty of clean, cool water.
✅ Offer electrolytes during periods of extreme heat and humidity.
✅ Provide shade, good airflow, and fans whenever possible. High ceilings and well-ventilated barns make a tremendous difference.
✅ Don't overlook the impact of humidity even an 88° day can be harder on sheep than a dry 100° day.

If an animal begins showing signs of heat stress:

• Move it into the coolest area possible. Air conditioning is ideal if available.
• Begin active cooling. We have had good luck spraying the armpits and groin area with rubbing alcohol to help dissipate heat.
• Drench with electrolytes if the animal can safely swallow.
• If they're severely dehydrated, unable to stand, or running 105°F or higher, contact your veterinarian immediately. Many of these animals require IV fluids and aggressive treatment.

For us, treatment has also included addressing the underlying cause, whether that's a respiratory infection or something else, under our veterinarian's guidance. We have used medications such as Banamine, dexamethasone, and Draxxin (or an equivalent), but those drugs are not appropriate for every case and should only be used according to your veterinarian's recommendations. Banamine and dexamethasone, in particular, should not be given together repeatedly because of the increased risk of stomach ulcers.

Hopefully this helps someone save one. Heat stress can escalate incredibly fast this time of year, but if you catch it early and stay proactive, your odds are much better.

Stay cool, stay observant, and don't underestimate what heat and humidity can do‼️ ... See MoreSee Less

Haws Genetics & Club Lambs is with Nathan Haws.

2 days ago

Haws Genetics & Club Lambs and Pin Oak Club Lambs have teamed up to start the summer off with an interesting wrinkle…..

The Southern Select Yearling Ram and Ram Lamb Sale!!

Buck Highlights will start off with a ram we call “BA”
Lot 2 - Pin Oak 346
Brickma x Ariel (Big Lettuce x Next Up)
RR NN FF

One we’ve been excited about rolling out.

Raised by our friends at Pin Oak Club Lambs and sired by Brickma, backed by the one and only Ariel. Many will remember her as the ewe Dani leased that found the backdrop time after time after time again. Didn’t matter what species of livestock the judged preferred they gravitated to her.

He’s stout featured, huge backed, giant loined, hard muscled, and built with the kind of genuine skeleton that’s easy to appreciate. He’s powerful without giving up balance and still handles himself on the move.

If you’re looking to inject genuine mass, shape, and structural integrity into your flock, this ram deserves a hard look.

He was the kind of mating that makes sense on paper and you hope turns out like this. ... See MoreSee Less