How Cholderton Rare Breeds Farm are keeping their animals cool in the heat
The animals wellbeing is their "number one priority"
Last updated 13th Jul 2022
During the heatwave, people try many unique and different methods to try and keep ourselves cool.
But what do you do if you're also caring for a range of different animals?
Well Cholderton Rare Breeds Farm have been taking us through what they have been doing this week so that their pigs, alpacas, cows and all their other animals are looked after.
The pigs have been splashing around in some of their mud baths, while also getting a bit of a hose down by the farm hands.
Meanwhile, it's a slightly different treatment for the guinea pigs and chickens.
The smaller animals get treated to some frozen sweetcorn ice pops, as well just blocks of ice to keep them cool.
Last summer, when things got a bit hot, the alpacas were given a paddling pool to play around in and cool off.
The farm say they loved it, however a new pool was purchased this year and they're not as big fans of this one.
They get close to the water, but are yet to take the plunge and actually go in.
The farm say they think it's due to the bright yellow colour on the top of the pool.
Daniel McSorley, Farm and Livestock manager, said:
"There are quite a few challenges for us when the weather is like this. But it's not just with the animals but with the staff as well because 90% of our work is done outdoors so the wellbeing of the animals comes first, but the wellbeing of the staff is obviously a top priority as well, especially in this heat. So there's plenty of breaks, plenty of water, plenty of sun cream. Obviously we can't go around putting sun cream on the animals so we make sure they've got plenty of shelter out on the field and animals like the pigs have plenty of mud baths to roll around in, and they're probably one of the more important ones as they don't have sweat glands like humans and other animals do."