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”
That is too cold… much too cold…
I need to pop over and ask you a culinary question about an english pie i have head a rumour about.. see you soon.. c
It’s actually called a Grosvenor pie and this as close as a picture I can find:http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/4916/pork-and-ham-pie
Nice recipe as well!
thank you lyn, i shall have a look.. c
this is the lard pastry? is this like the one your mum made? c
Close – she uses 1/2 lard and 1/2 butter. But my grandmother used all lard if she was making a meat pie.
There is another one as well called Gala Pie that looks very similar, uses lard in the pastry and a pigs trotter to add the yummy jelly like filling. You leave a hole in the pastry in the top and pour in the jelly. http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/gallery/2011/apr/06/how-to-make-gala-pie
Boo and Marmalade are just so cute.
ridiculous isn’t it.. c
Oh no, it is just lovely.
Peacocks are susceptible to internal parasites and viruses during the winter months I have read. Have to maintain a regular worming schedule.
Adding some shelled corn to their diet will help them to maintaing their body weight. And they don’tl like cold feet and frost bite is a problem if they don’t have a flat board to perch on to keep them above the cold floor. Round perches don’t help.
It was suggested that you cover their pen with plastic sheeting to keeps the enclosure dry and protects them from drafts and harsh winter winds.
I hope this helps! Of course you probably already know this…but I wanted to help in some way! Poor Kupa…sigh…here is a site that may help you about their illness, apparently they are very similar in disease as a turkey. So can be treated the same way!
unitedpeafowlassociation.org/DISEASESOFPEAFOWL.html Cached
they are not in a pen though Mere, they are free, so they can pretty much roost wherever they want to..though choose to sit on the big rafters high up in the barn.. and feed from everyone’s bowls.. yes, as you say, I have done all the reading too, the main problem is that i am unable to get up there to really see what is going on with my own eyes.. c
I know you are having a very difficult time….why do things like this have to happen at the worst possible time I wonder sometimes…sigh….I feel for you. Wish I could help…you are such a good person and so caring with your animals and family. It makes me wish I could do something to help you out. I hate heights…but I would try to get up there and tell you what I see!
Anyone raise turkeys in your area? Tap their brains if you do! I used to raise turkeys and it is very difficult when you have chickens. Chickens and turkeys have to be kept apart because of disease. I went throught this and had to take a dead turkey to NDSU for lab results. I learned a lot that year. Had one rogue chicken who managed to get in with the turkeys. Should have cooked him when I found out. Grrrrr….live and learn. Uffda…
-14C is too bloody cold by half. Think I’ll remain this side of the equator for a while 😉 Hope you are able to sort Kupa out. Laura
You must be through spring and into summer by now?.. c
Yep. our temperatures have been in mid 30’sC consistently for about 3 weeks, luckily our rain is also happening on time – all good here 🙂 laura
p.s. So glad you are doing better somewhat…(((hugs))) Boo and Marmalade are a pair! LOL Boo sure looks after her and she feels very safe when he is around! It has been bitterly cold here too. Not a good November at all. Way too cold way too early.
You might want to consult a vet about Kupa. I think he needs medication. Our climate is very harsh and a heat lamp might help him to stay warmer too. I use them for my layers in the winter. Good luck Celi.
Mere the bird is wild, he wanders wherever he wants to. Putting him under a heat lamp is out of the question. I only get lamps out for the first few days of a lambs life if the weather is nasty.. lamps are very dangerous in wooden barns piled high with straw.. c
He will go under if he wants to. Not to worry! 🙂 Ours are covered with wire netting in case a bulb breaks. Have been doing this for years and never had a problem. People don’t realized that they can break and straw is highly flammable. Our straw is kept in the loft above. He will come in when it hits those single digits and below. Yep! 😉
They feel safe up high most likey…hmmm….and heat rises. Could be that the temps switched so quickly and there wasn’t the gradual change allowing him to accimate. Just like us! So many sick people right now! I am thinking!!!!!!! (((hugs)))) 🙂
Bulgaria has not got that cold…yet ! It has got a lot colder especially at night and my animals like yours rally around the fire and stay there all night..STumpy cat sometimes sleeps on my bed.
poor Kupa..that is not nice…having read the other comments it sounds like worm infection. Mere Frost suggests a web site..so try that..I always use the internet when my animals are not well but we have a very good vet who comes out whenever we need him.
walkabouts sound a good idea..you can never keep a good Ceci down…but take it easy..don, t run before you can walk….be careful
I know honey, I am on the internet too.. and you are so right.. no running.. c
Goodness. I first worried for you after your fall. Now I’m worried about you, Kupa, the bees, the other peahens (if Kupa’s ailment is catchy), and your extreme weather. It all seems too much all at once, c. Sending you warm comfort and hugs.
thank you misky..I am going to come over and read some of your poetry today to calm myself down.. have a lovely day.. c
Crikey!
I can’t even imagine -14
Let alone imagine going for a walk in weather so cold!!
It is below zero here and with the wind chill? Holey buckets it is bitter!!! So glad I don’t have to go get the mail today! Taking care of livestock is hard work! You are wonder woman!!! I know this!!! Muah on the cheek and a huge huge hug!!!! Take care….
Sending warm healing hugs to all in the farmy from a balmy 8°C in Northern Ireland, Mind you that will halve within the next hour. Stay warm Celi.
one day i would love to go to ireland.. i can’t believe i did not when i lived in london..
Good luck with your walk and Kupa 😉
As they say it sounds like worms. They are easy to treat if you have them drinking from only one spot. I’m wondering if you could put worm stuff on the back under the feathers? Although, you do use the earth stuff…hummmm Let us know what you find out. Magic thoughts for health for you and all of your animals!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
yes, i do use the earth stuff but since i have been laid up it has been forgotton, most organic protocols are best as a preventative and something bad may have gotton out of hand. i have found a poultry de wormer that i can add to their feed, i will do everyone at the same time.. i hate wormers, they just kill everything, good and bad.. c
What did you find? I am use the earth ‘stuff’ also and garlic, but have wondered about a good wormer. The only ones around here are for in the water.
Linda
http://www.jefferspet.com/rooster-booster-triple-action-multi-wormer/camid/LIV/cp/16800/cn/3500/
approved for laying hens too and recommended by the vet for big birds..
not organic, but needs must. Though I will concede that it may be worms and will treat accordingly (because of the piggies ) this still does not answer the question of Kupa’s lost voice. c
My Dear Friend, having broken the lower third of my right tibia and fibula 3 months ago, and still being relegated to the hated ” boot” and the couch… I totally get your frustration!!!!! I WANT to go at my usual warp speed, but the dastardly spira fracture says ” no, yesterday was too much!!!” Wait another couple days!!!!!” How frazzling!!!! I have been knitting with a vengeance !!!! Take care, Dear.
i have been on the couch all morning because i did too much (practically nothing) yesterday.. i know just what you mean.. c.
Wee Marmalade looks so worried about the feline intruder! Ducks abound on Garybuie’s blog if you fancy a visit!
Christine
i popped over and thank you.. i will definitely raise some ducks next year.. c
What a bummer, the early cold coming in like that. I’m saying “early”, but I don’t really know how the prairies behave, save through you. I remember the doctor telling me that the time it would take for my back to get better was up to me. You just have to work at it and listen to your body. Any way, I guess you know that so …..I hope it starts to get better quickly:)
it is a bit early but nothing is ever mild out here. c