Heat stress impact on sheep production

Abstract

Research on the impact of heat stress on animals has mainly been related to cattle, while sheep have been neglected and the impact of heat stress on sheep production is still insufficiently researched. There are numerous stressors related to the procedures and methods of breeding sheep in barns and pastures among them ambient temperature is the most important variable because its effect is exacerbated in the presence of high humidity. Thermal indices are useful for assessing the influence of weather parameters in a certain agroecological area, of which the temperature-humidity index proved to be the best thermal index for assessing the harmful effect of heat stress on the productive performance of animals. Sheep have good adaptability and they are resistant to harsh environmental conditions, still in addition to a certain tolerance to heat stress, high temperatures can negatively affect sheep, which most often leads to dehydration, reduced appetite, reduced milk production and increased risk of disease. Mechanisms that help sheep to survive the challenge of heat stress include morphological, behavioural, physiological, blood biochemistry and genetic bases of adaptation. Sheep can combat heat stress by seeking shade, drinking enough water, and properly ventilating the barn. Increasing the productivity of sheep by adapting various management strategies including housing and animal management and climate monitoring may enhance production capacity of the herd. Therefore, heat stress has a negative effect on sheep, temperatures will increase year by year, and therefore it is necessary to investigate the relationship between sheep production and heat stress in time, to improve sheep farming and make life easier in the days ahead.