Out Around the Barn

In your farm or livestock supply kit, do you have a thermometer available?  If not, you should have.  Why?  Because, it is important to know the temperature of your animals.

Temperature rise is a body’s defense in trying to kill bacteria from infection that is present in our bodies or our animals.  It is good to know that our normal temperature is 98.6° F.  It helps us know we are doing okay and also when we are not.  It is the same with our animals. 

All animals temperatures differ from one to the other, just like humans but, like us, each breed has a normal temp. range.

Here are a few:

Cows – 101° – 102 ° F                                        Pigs – 101° – 102.5° F

Goats – 102° – 103° F                                        Dogs – 100° – 103° F

Horses – 99° – 101° F                                         Cats – 100.5° – 102.5° F

Sheep – 101° – 102° F                                         Rabbits – 101° – 103° F

Chickens – 105° – 109° F;  this temperature range hold true for all poultry although, you must consider, the smaller the bird the lower the temp.

If you have a small amount of livestock, it would be great if you could keep a record of all their temps, if you have a large herd or several, it may not be an easy task to accomplish.  Keeping records will help you know when an animals temperature has changed, especially if you know what it normally runs.

Above normal temps, even 1 or 2 degrees can indicate an infection in the bloodstream and that you need to cool the body with a cool water or alcohol bath.  Too high for too long can mean brain cell damage.

Below normal temps for a period of time means that you need to warm the body with blankets, heat lamps, heating pads or even electric blanket.  If the temp remains low for a period of time and everything you have tried does not bring the temp back up, usually nothing further can be done and death is likely. 

Taking an animals temp is not hard to do.  It must be taken rectally and inserted 1 – 2 inches into the rectum for 3 minutes.  To do this, you must hold the tail up and over the back to help the animal maintain balance.  A regular human oral thermometer will do nicely.

It may be a good suggestion to have someone help you so that it is not so awkward trying to do it and then getting kicked or bitten.  A run to the hospital for yourself, would not be good.

Use your head before attempting this on your own.  Even using a head shute or collar may not be enough to avoid injury if not accustomed to this type of project. 

Some facts of information were taken from the book:

A Veternary Guide for Animal Owners by: C. E. Spaulding D V M