As we did not have enough hay from the fields this season I had to buy in 150 bales of alfalfa and alfalfa/grass bales. It is from neighbouring fields, so should have the same mineral make up as our own and best of all it arrived while The Tall Teenager was here, on leave, to help stack it.
For some unknown reason, the moment we bring in new hay the cats are all over it.
The clatter box clattered away, and 150 bales (600 dollars worth) were lifted and stacked in the old barn loft, lickety split watched closely by Daisy who is developing that soft roundness of early pregnancy.
Air freshener for the barn, I love the smell of hay in the barn and that good old feeling of having feed in its proper place for the winter.
While the boys were working on the hay, I dragged out my dog crate then snuck up on Kupa and caught him. The fact that I caught him so easily was a worry in itself. Though I had to get someone to haul me and the bird up as once I had him crept along and grabbed him, my tail bone hurt so much I could not stand up without using my hands that were full of peacock .But I could not leave this job any longer. A little pain had to be dealt with.
Now that all the hay is in the back of the Peacock Penthouse I can lock him up in there for his medicines.
I really do agree that he has a gape worm infestation. I had to order the medicine to be delivered as it is hard to buy and I cannot drive at the moment. Kupa and I have been waiting days for the good stuff. Which is called Rooster Booster® Triple Action Multi-Wormer and when I looked up the order there had been some kind of hold up and it is not going to be here until Monday. This worries me deeply as Kupa is not well. (I am not recommending the Boooster Triple Action yet. But I am advised that it will treat the capillary worms such as Gape Worm.)
So, at a loss, with no change in the peacock after using all my organic remedies, (that are not really remedies but preventatives) I was casting about my animal box for anything that could help – I spied an old bottle of sheep drench from Mama’s last bout with worms (ages ago) which led me to googling treating peacocks with sheep drench. And this is not an uncommon idea. I found a multitude of hits about adding sheep drench to their water. Who knew. So now that he is in his Peacock Penthouse and the door is shut, with Tui, who hangs out in there anyway, (I will get Pania in there tomorrow, my injury has had quite enough herding peahens for the moment). I have doctored his water with Ivomectrin. Worms hunt in packs so hopefully the Ivomectrin will hold the fort until the tripe action arrives. Though (if you are into wormers) Panacure would have been better.
The Tall Teenager is off into the world again today. Now things will really begin the slow slide into deep winter.
I hope you all have a lovely day,
your friend on the couch with a book, (I am really grateful for my Kindle today as I am still unable to sit and drive to a book store!),
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
89 responses to “Loading hay and sheep drench for the Duke of Kupa”
Having a sick animal is so awful. You feel so helpless, never knowing exactly what to do for them. And it makes you sick worrying.
Yes I think I am getting to that stage, being incapacitated myself for two weeks did not help him..
My goodness you have been busy! So glad the tall teen was there to help you!!! What a relief!
Oh dear Kupa…..please hold out so you can get the proper meds! Hopefully your doctoring is helping him along Celi. Always worries…worries…
A good book and rest now that the big chore is finished and tucked away! Take care!
Cleaning out the hot tub today. Emptying and filling with nice fresh water! Ready for the cold months to ease our bodies and minds in! What a great thing to have!!!!
Still eating leftovers and giving the rest of the pies to Kevin to finish off!!!!! uffda…I can feel the pounds creeping up my thighs to my belly and tushie!!!! Ahhhhhh……evil fat!!! LOL
Sending love and hugs to my hurting friend…sigh…feel better soon! (((Celi)))) Muah! Have a good day fellowship! (((hugs))) 🙂
morning mere! step away from the pies!.. c
Amazing that you could catch a peacock in your wounded condition, Celi. Glad to hear that you have had some rest and some help. Here’s hoping Kupa responds to his treatment.
I was lucky that he was sunning himself in a corner.. have a lovely day, hope your ankle is feeling better..I hope i am remembering correctly that it was your ankle you hurt.. c
How is the Tall Teenager doing, Celi? Obviously he survived basic training. 🙂
yes he did and found his stride.. now he is off to hawaii.. he has worked hard.. c
Right now, here in California, that hay would be $12 a bale and you’d be happy to get it.
Interesting that sheep drench can be used for peacocks and that worms could have such a profound effect on Kupa.
Ouch! That tail bone is certainly letting you know who is the boss right now. It is a fine balance between testing, stretching and resting, I hope your recovery programme brings you through to full health and energy real soon.
Funny I was thinking the same thing about smoking and parasites but yeah I guess you’d have to eat the stuff-yuk! So hope the drench helps Kupa and that catching him didn’t set your healing behind! Literally! 🙂
I can just smell that hay too! Nothing like that freshly mown grass scent or hay in the barn!
A barn full of hay; how satisfying that sounds. So glad you had help! And hope Kupa gets well. What a wealth of knowledge is being shared here.
I’ve just put up a post that pays tribute to you and my other favourite blogger from the US. You have influenced my work on the seasons. Take a look and you’ll see why (and thank you for your willingness to share your work):
http://seasonalinspiration.blogspot.co.nz/2013/11/tomatoes-across-world.html
You got an excellent amount of hay for a really good amount. Around here people pay $10 a bale. Although, Terry never charged that he always charged $7 a bale. He said there is no reason to stick to people he covers cost at $7 and has a little to purchase seed with for next year.
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
Well, [smiling], I surely am a lot wiser about farming problems and solutions after having this as a Sunday morning read 😉 ! Actually very interesting ~ my Gemini nature about being into everything coming to the fore again!! Don’t know about hay economics – am just glad you are now OK for the winter!! But thank God TTT was there – I would not have put it past you to try and shift some yourself!! At the bottom one may not have had to bend as much!!! And do hope that after all this, The medicine for Kupa does arrive, is the correct one and is in time to do good!!!!!!
Your post makes me glad we barter our 11 acres tillable for as much hay as we need for the year! Having two horses who don’t work too hard we prefer a grassy mix hay so they keep their girlish figures! Please be ever so careful with the Ivermectin around Ton. He’s one of the breeds that absolutely cannot tolerate it. I heard of one border collie who died after licking up ivermectin paste that had been used to worm the horse!
thank you sherry and no worries there, the peacock penthouse is on the second floor .. no dogs can get up there..only birds and cats.. c
Crossing my fingers for Kupa. And you xxx
Oh, the smell of hay. Love it, too.
C, this is a very old article about growing artemesia for intestinal parasites in chickens. Not sure if you grow this herb during your summer?
http://www.abc.net.au/gardening/stories/s1140388.htm