Summers on the farm can be brutal. The sun is high, the ground is dry, and the animals? They’re just as miserable as we are. At Andersen Acres, we’ve had to get creative to help our furry and feathered friends stay safe, healthy, and as comfortable as possible during sweltering days. If you’re a fellow hobby farmer or just curious how we manage the madness, here’s a peek at how we beat the heat—farm style.
Shade, Shade, and More Shade
The first and most important defense? Shade. Trees, lean-tos, tarps, and purpose-built shelters are scattered across our pastures and pens. Our goats love lounging in the shadow of a barn wall. The ducks waddle from one shaded spot to another like feathery nomads chasing the moving sun. And our mini horse Shadowfax? He has his own shady kingdom and he knows it.
Water Is Everything
Buckets, troughs, baby pools, and even a few strategically placed mud puddles—it’s all fair game. We check and refill water several times a day. Goats are notorious for tipping their buckets (for fun, apparently), so we anchor those now. The ducks spend most of the day floating like royalty in their pool, splashing, dunking, and cooling their feet.
Frozen Treats for Everyone
Hot afternoon? Time for popsicles—farm-style. Frozen watermelon for the goats, ice cubes in the chickens’ water, frozen veggie blocks for the ducks. Even our livestock guardian dogs get their own frozen broth treats packed with kibble. It’s enrichment and hydration all in one.
Strategic Soaking
When it gets really hot, we pull out the hose. The ducks are thrilled. The goats… have opinions. Some run from it like it’s lava. Others lean into the mist like they’re on a spa retreat. We’ve learned each animal’s comfort level and we soak pens or spray the air without causing a stampede.
Fans and Ventilation in the Barn
Our barn is outfitted with large fans that keep air moving and help reduce heat stress in the enclosed areas. Proper ventilation is a must when temperatures spike, especially for our rabbits and poultry. On the hottest days, we even place frozen water bottles inside the rabbit hutches so they can lean against them if they get too warm.
The Power of Schedule Shifts
Just like us, the animals don’t want to do anything when it’s blazing hot. So we shift our schedule too—chores happen early in the morning and late in the evening. Midday is reserved for hiding in the shade and checking on everyone without too much fuss.
Know the Signs of Heat Stress
We’re always on the lookout for warning signs: panting, lethargy, drooling (in species that shouldn’t), open-mouth breathing, and animals isolating themselves. Early intervention is everything. Sometimes, just moving an animal into deeper shade and misting them can prevent a real emergency.
The Bottom Line
Keeping animals cool during a heatwave isn’t easy—but it is possible with planning, creativity, and a willingness to sweat right alongside them. Here on Andersen Acres, we believe that caring for our animals means adapting right along with the weather. Because while they can’t turn on the AC, they can count on us.
How do you help your animals beat the heat? Drop a comment and share your favorite summer farm hacks!
