Colorado farmer cranks up the heat on efforts to keep livestock cool

At Broken Shovels Farm Sanctuary, director Andrea Davis is cranking up the heat on efforts to keep her livestock cool.

"The bulk of our population is elderly, so they're especially vulnerable to the heat," said Davis.

CBS Colorado walked through the sanctuary with Davis earlier this month, as she started preparations to help protect 23 species of animals on the farm from the excessive heat that was about to arrive.

"In 2023, we had no days above 100 degrees, and, suddenly, we're going to have four or five days above 100 degrees that are going to keep us very busy," said Davis.

There are more than 250 mammals and 250 birds across the sanctuary, which means Davis and her crew have to start early to get ahead of the rising temperatures.

"We'll start an hour to an hour and a half early on these hot days to give the animals lots of time to eat and drink and run around before it gets too hot," she said.

They will also be increasing the number of shifts they do throughout the day to help replenish water and check on the animals.

"This will be the kind of situation where the water will get hot so fast that we'll be doing those four to five times a day for every water on the property," said Davis.

"Each animal needs a different kind of attention when it comes to braving the heat. For example, goats will get by utilizing misters stationed throughout their pen or seeking shade in the sheds.

For other animals, like pigs, it is critical for them to have water they can submerge in.

"Pigs are not able to pant like dogs and they're not able to sweat like humans. So, they rely on being able to get covered in water and mud to stay cool," said Davis.

Other animals who cannot remain outdoors throughout this heat or become sick, will be brought inside.

"We do have some of our chickens that will be in a special needs hospital that is temperature controlled," said Davis. "[We're] making extra space in our air-conditioned spaces for anyone who does become sick from the heat, or compromised from getting too hot."

Davis knows the luxuries her animals have on the farm are not the same for other Colorado livestock facing the heat this weekend.

"I think about so much of the farm animal population, cattle out on ranges, don't have access to cool structures," said Davis. "They don't have access to water that's being cleaned out every few hours. So, I would definitely say that people are going to see some losses if they aren't really attuned to what these animals are needing."