WAUKESHA — Southeast Wisconsin is heating up with temperatures in the 80s and 90s throughout the rest of the week making hydration a top priority, especially when keeping show animals cool at the Waukesha County Fair.
Wednesday’s weather is the reason Mike Olson got his steps in early.
“This is my way of beating the heat, getting out and getting (my exercise in) early and making sure to pump all of the fluids,” Olson said.
But he’s not the only one thinkin’ of drinkin’: The pigs are parched, the ducks are trying to keep from dehydration and the steer’s all about keeping his water near.
Maya Rather, 12, is working overtime to keep her pigs comfortable in the heat.
"We ordered these waters and you pump the handle and it sprays out water and air to water down your pigs,” Rather said.
Auretta Wittkopf is doing the same for her sheep.
“Just having someone always around to keep an eye on them and notice if they are getting hot we can do something about it,” Wittkopf said.
The high temps can lead to heat stress for livestock. That is why experts suggest keeping animals shaded while giving them plenty of water, working them when temps are lower, increasing airflow and using sprinklers to keep them cool.
