Staying Cool on the Farm

As the temperature climbs, and we enjoy the long sunny days of an East Tennessee Summer, our animals are enjoying time sunbathing and seeking ways to cool down just like we do. From a cold bath in the water hose to afternoon naps in the shade, our herd has their own ways of staying cool through the season.

Chickens love the sunlight, and the increased light levels this time of year help them produce even more eggs. They will often lie out in the sun and stretch out a wing to sunbathe. To stay cool, chickens will lift their wings slightly to let the air move through their feathers. They also pant to cool down, since they don't sweat and they don't really like to get in the water much either.

We help the sheep stay cool by shearing their wool right before the weather gets hot. They prefer to graze and move around in the early morning and late evening when it's cooler outside. During the heat of the day, sheep will usually lie down in the shade and rest. Their guard donkeys will also tend to stay in the shade during the hotter parts of the day, although donkeys are from hotter environments and can tolerate the heat fairly well. Donkeys have a slightly different type of coat than a horse, and this helps keep them cooler. They also have big ears that help dissipate heat from their bodies. Donkeys will roll around in the dirt to give their skin an extra layer of protection against the sun (or cold).

Our pigs are not always the biggest fans of Summer heat, but they come up with plenty of methods for cooling themselves down. When it's hot outside, the pigs will spend more time lying in mud wallows. The cool mud lowers their body temperature and protects them from getting sunburnt. We also help them out by hosing them down with a water hose periodically. Most of the pigs love getting a cold bath!

Christen Waddell, Livestock Manager