Water Requirements for Sheep, Goats and Camels: A Practical Guide

Sheep and goats typically drink a few litres of water a day in cool weather, and often double that or more in hot weather or when nursing. Camels drink less often but can take in very large volumes at once. Needs rise with heat, milk production, dry feed and salty forage, so the safest rule is simple: clean, cool water available at all times, with enough trough space for every animal.

Water is the cheapest nutrient on most farms, yet it is the one most often taken for granted. An animal can survive longer without feed than without water, and even a mild shortage cuts feed intake, growth and milk. In hot regions such as the Gulf, Sudan and the Sahel, water management is as important as the ration itself.

How much water do they need?

There is no single number. Water needs depend on body weight, production stage, temperature, humidity, the type of feed and the salt content of the diet. The table below gives a rough guide only for adult animals, to help you plan supply and trough space. Your own animals may need more.

A few points behind the numbers:

• Dry feed increases needs. Animals on hay and grain drink much more than animals grazing green, moist pasture.
• Milk is mostly water. Lactating females, especially those nursing twins or milked daily, need the most.
• Heat changes everything. In summer, needs can rise sharply. Animals also drink more when they can reach water easily in the shade.
• Salt raises thirst. Salty water, salty forage or high-salt licks increase water intake.

Camels: different, not unlimited

Camels are famous for tolerating thirst, and they are indeed remarkably adapted. They can lose a large share of their body water and then rehydrate quickly by drinking a lot in a short time. This does not mean they need little care:

• Lactating camels and young calves need much more regular access.
• In hot seasons, a long gap between drinks reduces milk and condition.
• Watering points must be large enough so dominant animals do not keep others away.

For a broader view of camel care, see our guide to camel herd management.

Water quality matters as much as quantity

Animals drink less of water that is dirty, warm or bad-tasting. Lower water intake means lower feed intake, so poor water quietly slows growth and milk production.

Check regularly:

• Cleanliness. Remove dung, feed and algae from troughs. Clean them often, especially in summer.
• Temperature. Tanks and pipes in full sun can deliver very hot water. Shade tanks and troughs where you can.
• Salinity. Many wells in arid regions are brackish. Animals can adapt to some salt, but very salty water reduces intake and can cause health problems. If you are unsure, have the water tested and ask your vet.
• Contamination. Stagnant water and sources shared with many herds can spread disease. Protect the source and avoid letting animals stand in it.

Troughs, access and the hot season

How water is offered matters as much as how much is available:

1. Enough trough space. If animals must queue, the shy ones drink less. Spread several drinking points around large pens.
2. Reliable flow. Floats and pipes fail. Check every drinker at least once a day, and more often in heat.
3. Shade near water. Animals drink more and more often when water is close to shade.
4. Special attention for males in fattening. Male lambs and kids on grain-rich rations need generous water to reduce the risk of urinary stones; see our guide to minerals and salt licks.
5. Plan for breakdowns. Keep a backup supply or tank for at least a day if your water comes from a single pump or delivery.

In very hot weather, water is part of your plan against heat stress, together with shade, ventilation and feeding in the cooler hours. Our guide to heat stress in hot climates covers this in detail.

Monitoring water in practice

Signs that animals are not getting enough water include lower feed intake, dry or hard dung, sunken eyes, dull coat, lower milk yield and animals crowding around empty troughs. A sudden drop in water consumption can also be one of the first signs of illness in a group.

A simple routine:

• Check every trough each morning and evening.
• If you have a meter, record daily consumption per pen; otherwise, note tank refills.
• Compare consumption with temperature and with the number of animals in the pen.
• Investigate any sudden change: a leak, a blocked float, poor-tasting water, or a health problem.

In Throf, water can be recorded alongside meals for each group, so you can see consumption next to feed, weights and health events. Tasks and reminders can be assigned to workers for daily trough checks, and the daily work sheet shows whether they were done.

The short version

Provide clean, cool water at all times, with enough space for every animal. Expect needs to rise sharply in heat, in lactation and on dry feed. Check troughs twice a day, watch water quality, and treat any sudden change in drinking as a warning sign worth investigating with your vet.