All the cats and dogs crept inside last night. It was a zoo. But they knew it was going to get very cold.
Scrapper took over Maramalade and Boo’s bed.
For the whole afternoon.
Boo took it back later in the night
Much to Marmalade’s relief.
The Plonkers through the kitchen window.
I was outside a little more yesterday and there is something wrong with Kupa. He is not right. Hunched and putting his head back and opening and shutting his mouth like he is clearing his throat but there is no sound. I cannot put my finger on it. Hopefully today will be warmer and I can be in the barn a bit longer to look things over. This is why I hate not being 100%. Things get missed. There is so much to do before the freeze.
Today I am doing a whole walkabout. It is seven days since the bad wind threw me down the stairs. I can be a little stronger today. I have to. I promise to lie down straight afterwards. But I have to spend some time with my animals.
Your frustrated friend on the farmy,
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
107 responses to “7F (-14C ) is too bloody cold for November”
The photos of Marmalade are gorgeous! So cute. 🙂
morning grace.. c
I would imagine it is hard to know what is wrong with Kupa even if you are feeling 100%. That is the thing about having animals. If we dont live near a vet or it is not feasible to go to the vet we learn about the health of our animals from our own exeriences with them when things are amiss. Perhaps jmgoyder has seen this before? Nice to see Scrapper.
I know.. and now that i think about it he has been very quiet for such a long time .. c
Do you think there is something lodged in his throat? So glad the animals can keep each other warm.
hope not as until i am better i cannot catch him.. c
Kupa is a worry – has he got something stuck down his throat?
Marmalade didn’t look too happy with Scrapper in his bed and not Boo.
Barb, this is exactly what I thought at first but it is ot a new movement for him, how to catch him when I am not as mobile as usual, I will think on it.
Could it be that the Duke has gape worms? It sounds like classic behaviour, from what I know of chickens with the same problem. It’s easily treated by dosing with a vermifuge like Invermectin (don’t know if you have that there), if that’s what it is… Your vet should be able to advise. It’s easily picked up, and if he has it, you may need to treat your other poultry too. Glad you’re up and about, even if gently and slowly. Sounds like our unstoppable Celi is back at the helm, sore tail or no sore tail.
Do you put it in their water? The trouble with he wild birds is that they drink from everryones water. I will look it up.. c
I think Invermectin can also be given as a shot. I see someone else thinks it’s gapeworms too. It does sound like he’s exhibiting all the symptoms. Good luck.
Some of our peas struggle with their voices at various times and the cold weather would probably make that worse. I have my fingers crossed for your beautiful Kupa!
well he is quieter than normal going on yesterdays discussion. Do you worm yours? c
Kupa’s problem – his ‘gaping’ – is most likely a worm infestation, in particular Syngamus trachea (gapeworm). Gapeworms are common in poultry; and hens perform the motions exactly as you have described. Unfortunately, as much as I like the idea, I have found herbal worm remedies to have no curative effect. I don’t know whether you get it in the USA but Flubenvet, although a pain to administer, works well for us amateur – ‘trying to live without vet’s bills for simple things’ – keepers.
In poultry, some ‘pump-action’ neck/head movements can be indicative of serious respiratory infections (been there with hens, done that, don’t want to do it again, ta) so let me stress I am no expert – just a back garden keeper. If in doubt seek veterinary advice.
Hope Kupa’s discomfort turns out to be a case of worms!
Good info.. I cannot cage kupa as their pen is up a ladder that i cannot climb at the moment.. If I was able to catch him and get him to a vet in my current condition I am sure he would be much surprised to see a peacock come through his door.. c
I would just start with worming the entire flock, via feed if the hens and peacocks drink from cattle and pig troughs. My only caveat is to double check with the manufacturer (or your vet) that whatever you choose is suitable for peacocks, peahens and guineas – even if not licensed for use with them.
The Poultry Site is good for disease information, for example, http://www.thepoultrysite.com/diseaseinfo/65/gape
thank you carrie. i have ordered a product that is peahen friendly and it is a feed additive which makes it easier, now all i have to do is get kupa and his girls into their run, to make sure the chooks do not steal his share.. we have done so well organically for so many years too.. ah well.. c
Oh poor Kupa. I know you have some expert followers and hope between you all you can get him better. And yourself too.
I am hoping my bees are ok this winter, i must pop over and see how yours are doing, I am seriously considering wrapping the hive, not the top just the sides, I would like to know what you think.. I shall pop over..c
I saw somewhere ??? that a woman wrapped hers with tar paper roofing. I guess she does it every year.
Would you share what you find out? I would like to know too!
sure, c
I have had two hens die of the respiratory infection, and I still don’t know what to do to either cure or prevent it! I did speak to a vet about it once and she recommended an antibiotic, but the hen died before I could administer it! I do hope Kupa shakes this off and returns to normal soon.
Bloody cold here to, and will be for the next few days. Hate the cold, makes me want to hibernate and my body starts to shut down.
we have a very cold morning and perfect sunshine, so I look out the window and think Hmm I will do my walk but did not last more than 10 minutes.. I have not even got my winter gear together and no sitting means no car and no car means no shopping which would be ok on a normal day but I do need the thermal boots and the gloves now..
I definitely hate not being well enough to check on everyone. We’re up to almost 20F now from about 18F. The sun is shining! Our high should be about 30F today. I know you need to do your walk about. Carefully!! Sure hope Kupa can be figured out. Have a great day Celi!
winter is here!.. c
I hope you can get to the bottom of Kupa’s issue. I noticed something wrong with the little gray fox who has been frequenting our place. I will not be able to help him at all since he’s wild, but it is frustrating to know something is wrong and have no communication to be able to help properly. I’m sending positive energy your way to help in healing both you and Kupa!
It must be even harder with truly wild animals.. though I always think of you as a taller than normal wood sprite who can call to all the wild animals by name. c
Oh Celi, how incredibly frustrating for you! I shall put my head in a pillow and have a good scream for you. Poor Kupa, I do hope you can get to the bottom of what it going on.
On a lighter note, would you look at Boo and Marmalade in their bed! I am madly in love with their bond.
Have a beautiful week ahead and here hoping it gets a wee bit warmer for you.
🙂 Mandy xo
That cardboard box with an old pillow in it is a favourite corner, one day I must get them a proper dog bed, I could not resist that late night shot, even though the lamps would make it orange.. they are so sweet when they sleep together.. c
You have to rest your backside for it to heal so don’t over do it….
I won’t, no swinging your head from side to side either.. c
Believe it I’m now fine.. I was sitting with my arm on the back rest of the settee and twisted my head to see what had fallen in the kitchen… There was a loud crack in my neck which was so loud others heard it… two days of a little pain and stiffness and I’m back to normal .. today no pain and no stiffness… so I’m fighting fit again… now if they would just hurry up and finish my car… all would be back to normal…
home grown chiropractics.. what a bonus.. i am glad, crook necks are horrible.. c
one could almost read marmalade’s thoughts with scrapper in his bed….
he was deeply unimpressed .. but these two were observed playing together the other day and scrapper hates everyone..so that was a surprise..c
Use painkillers before walkabout instead of after (speaking from recent experience) and 2 sticks for stability in walking.
xox ViV
I need it to warm up a bit too Viv, it is cold! Hope you are having a good day and got those bits and pieces sold yesterday.. c