Cows don’t crank up the air conditioning, pigs can’t chill out in a movie theater and chickens won’t cannonball into a pool.
At farms, fairs and the racetrack, the furry and feathered rely on human caretakers to keep them comfortable.
“Having animals now, during this heat wave, is really very taxing. I don’t know how the cow people do it,”
said a sheep farmer in Hazen, Pa.
Keeping animals cool will be critical for farmers and handlers in the next few days. Cows can be a tough spot because they can’t pant to release heat. (Chickens can! WFT, right?)
The National Weather Service said more than 1,000 heat records have been set or tied this month nationwide.
Some farmers letting their animals play in the sprinklers and others rub their animals in vinegar – which (they say) helps.
So before you pity yourself in this heatwave, think about what it’s like to stuck in a wool sweater like the poor sheep!
[image via SerenityPhotography.co.uk]
