THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Amid the severe heat and heat wave warning in Kerala, the Animal Husbandry Department has issued special instructions to farmers to not let their cows and goats graze in the open from 11 am to 4 pm. As per the instruction, cattle should not be assigned for agricultural work between 11 am and 4 pm.
The instructions also say that air circulation should be ensured in the barn. Installing a fan can help reduce heat inside the barn. Vegetable pantal on the roof, drip irrigation, sprinkler, wet hanging etc. can also provide relief from the heat. The warning also states that care should be taken to provide clean, cold drinking water for livestock. Intensive And Extensive System Of Livestock Management
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Dairy cows should be given 80-100 litres of water daily. Along with that, green grass should be provided as fodder. The Department of Animal Husbandry also said that good fodder should be given in the morning and evening and hay at night. Veterinarian assistance should be sought and advice taken appropriately if necessary.
Summer heat increases the body stress of animals and lowers their immune system. During the hot season, external parasites such as silkworms, fleas, lice, flies etc. multiply, and deadly diseases such as theileriosis, anaplasmosis, and babiosis spread by them are more common.
The animal welfare department also asked the farmers to take precautions to control such pests during hot season.
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Elevated Farrowing Pen Bacterial mastitis is a common disease in summer. In order to control this, milk should be completely removed from the udder of dairy animals and milking should be arranged in the morning and evening when the temperature is low.