Sunburn warning for pigs and ponies
Farmers have been warned to maintain a sunburn alert during the continuing heatwave – on their pigs and ponies.
The advice has come an organic farmer in Co Clare, in support of an Department of Agriculture directive on the dangers of farms animals being affected by high temperature-generated stress.
The Ministry reminded all farmers and animal transporters that all farm creatures could be hit by stress in conditions of the kind experienced over recent weeks.
Officials urged frequent checks on all animals – particularly pigs and poultry - to ensure they had adequate ventilation and water supplies and were in the shade.
The pig protection caution was added by Hugh Robson, who farms organically on the Burren, Co Clare.
He said all his pigs were being kept under cover while the sun was blazing and he provided holes where they could wallow in protective mud.
Mr Robson added “Pigs sunburn very easily, and I would advise those with free-range animals to keep them inside.
“But, if they cannot, they would need to protect the skin of their pigs with a sunblock.”
He also reported that some ponies on his farm had needed to be treated with cream on noses and lips that had become chapped by the hot sun.”
