*8.4. Improving Bedding*

Exposure to high environmental heat causes animals to drink and urinate more [32,33], which then increases moisture in the pens. Excess moisture in the sheep faecal pad can be managed by providing additional sawdust, a useful interim measure to ensure that sheep don't ge<sup>t</sup> bogged down or have fleece covered with faecal material [70,71]. Exact ventilation rates to ensure adequately dry faecal pads have not been determined given these will vary with climate, pen location, ship type and sheep density. The careful managemen<sup>t</sup> of hosing in cattle pens has also been suggested to improve bedding during times of high heat load [52].
