Caring for farm animals and horses in extreme weather

This advice is to help:

• farmers
• horse owners
• transporters, and
• others

to avoid problems during extreme weather.

If you keep animals, you should have a contingency plan in place for safeguarding their welfare during extreme weather events. Ideally this should be worked up with your private veterinarian.

Further guidance on caring for animals under normal conditions is available on our Animal Welfare pages.

High temperatures, humidity, and sudden changes in conditions, can pose a major threat to animal welfare.

Animals do not deal with heat in the same way. Ruminants like cattle and sheep generate internal heat from the digestive process. They cannot rely on sweating for cooling. Pigs cannot thermoregulate by sweating. It is important for animals to have access to shade and water.

• inspect your animals often, especially very young or old animals
• be able to recognize signs of heat stress (these vary between species)
• take immediate action to deal with problems e.g. by providing access to shade and/or water. Your private veterinarian will be able to advise you on cooling measures. These will take account of different animals’ needs and will vary between species.
• avoid moving animals during the hottest parts of the day. Dairy cattle should not have to go far to be milked.
• work with neighbours if water and feed supplies run short or access is difficult

Hot weather and potential risks to health and welfare guidance from Animal and Plant Health Agency.

It is an offence to transport any animal in a way which causes, or is likely to cause, injury or unnecessary suffering to that animal.

• make sure animals are fit to travel
• do not transport animals in temperatures over 30°C unless you have a temperature-controlled vehicle. Check the ‘feels like’ temperature for the intended route if humidity is high.
• make sure all watering and ventilation systems on vehicles are fully functional
• make sure animals have access to enough water to meet their needs
• plan ahead. Keep journeys as short as possible and have a contingency plan in place for every journey. Delays, which are insignificant under normal conditions can quickly become critical in high temperatures.
• avoid the hottest parts of the day. Consider transporting animals in the evening, at night or early morning, even on short journeys. Park in shaded areas during rest stops.
• consider reducing loading density. Improve ventilation, especially in the hotter parts of the vehicle. There should be enough space for all animals to regulate their body temperatures.  
• check on the animals regularly during the journey
• be able to recognize signs of heat stress (these vary between species)

Animals must:

• either have access to a suitable water supply and be provided with an adequate supply of fresh drinking water each day
• or be able to satisfy their fluid intake needs by other means.

The greatest risk to animals from lack of water is dehydration. Young animals, housed animals on dry feed only, and lactating animals are at greatest risk.

• you should have a plan for what to do if water supplies are interrupted. If supplies do fail, you should identify alternative water sources. Seek advice from your private veterinarian if you are unsure about the risk of using an alternative water source.
• if you cannot get enough water to your animals, you should move them to a place where water is available
• work with neighbours if water supplies run short or access is difficult
• if there is any doubt about the condition of your animals, seek immediate advice from your private veterinarian. Consider moving or selling animals to reduce stocking density. As a last resort, you should consider killing your animals humanely rather than letting them suffer. Seek advice from your private veterinarian if this is something you are considering.

If water is rationed

If you need to ration water, you should meet the following daily minimum needs:

• milking cows - 38 to 52 litres
• other cattle - 38 litres
• horses - 20 to 45 litres
• pigs - 4 to 11.5 litres
• sheep - 6 litres
• poultry (intensive) - 0.5 litres

You may need to allow for more water for very young or old animals, or if the temperature or humidity rises.

Discuss with your private veterinarian whether you can reduce the amount of water your animals need by:

• giving them less feed
• drying off any animals that are in late-stage lactation
• ending egg production

If water is rationed, take care to avoid salt poisoning in pigs.

The following advice is available:

• Advice for farmers in periods of dry weather (on Natural Resources Wales)
• Drought advice for private water supplies (on Natural Resources Wales)

If you keep animals outdoors in an area where there is a flood risk you should make a plan to protect them. This should include:

• where you’ll move the animals to during a flood
• how you’ll get them there

During and after a flood, sewage, manure and chemicals can pollute water, pasture and feed.

• monitor your animals closely (especially young ones)
• get advice from your private veterinarian if they drink flood water or eat potentially contaminated feed

Check your flood risk (on Natural Resources Wales) 
Sign up to receive flood warnings from Natural Resources Wales)

Extreme cold weather can pose a major threat to animal welfare. It is important for animals to have access to shelter, feed and water.

• you must provide feed and water regularly
• you should have a plan for what to do if feed and water supplies are interrupted 
• keep water troughs free of ice 
• take water to animals regularly if pipes or other water supplies are frozen 
• work with neighbours if feed and water supplies run short or access is difficult 
• horses and ponies kept outside during winter must have access to shelter at all times. Shelter can be natural or man-made. If you cannot provide shelter, you must move them to a place with shelter or permanently stable them.

Contact your Local Authority for advice if you have difficulties getting feed or water to your animals.

It is an offence to transport any animal in a way which causes, or is likely to cause, injury or unnecessary suffering to that animal.

• make sure animals are fit to travel
• make sure all watering and ventilation systems on vehicles are fully functional and animals have access to water. Adjust ventilation openings to minimise wind chill while maintaining enough ventilation.
• plan ahead. Check your intended route is safe and clear and have a contingency plan in place for every journey. Delays, which are insignificant under normal conditions can quickly become critical in cold temperatures.
• bedding must be supplied for:
  • calves under 6 months
  • foals under 4 months
  • piglets under 10kgs, and
  • lambs under 20kgs
• consider adding more bedding during cold weather, including for older/heavier animals
• consider if animals need access to food during the journey
• check on the animals during the journey
• be able to recognize signs of cold stress such as lethargy, shivering or huddling

It is an offence to cause or permit unnecessary suffering to an animal in a market.

• animals must be properly penned and provided with adequate bedding, feed and water
• covered accommodation must be provided for certain animals (see The welfare of Animals at Markets Order 1990)
• markets should not operate if extreme weather makes them unable to meet these needs