When I went out to feed the animals yesterday morning Mama had her front feet up in the feeder and was peering at me over the fence. What a welcome sight. And then in the afternoon she found her voice and baa-ed at me for getting home late. This is the first time I have heard her speak since her miscarriages. And I cannot tell you how relieved I was to hear her big deep voice. Every sheep has a different voice. Mama is a contralto. She has real timber in her calls.
But I have no pictures of her today because we went to the movies! And I had no trouble sitting through the whole of The Hobbit. I was ready to stand at the back of the theater (I know some people who worked on it you see) but the Dragon was well worth the risk of an uncomfortable few hours. So now I can drive, go to restaurants and sit in the movie theater. I believe my injury is letting go of my life. 
I caught Kupa again this evening and carried him across the field to the chook house. He said not a word. He is not well poor old fella. I have no pictures of this move as it was done at dusk and I kind of had my hands full. He is gaping and rasping like an asthmatic. I have noticed that his condition worsens on the colder days (yesterday we had a high of 16F (-8C) with a cold wind and last night we had a low of 8F (-13C) even colder). So he has gone in to live with the chickens where it is warmer and there is a hot lamp to sit under, also it will be easy for me to catch him again and take him to the vet this coming week if he does not improve. The worms that were eggs when he was last treated will have hatched out now, so if that is his problem he will need another round of the treatment. I am sure this is the first time someone has brought a peacock through the vets door!
I was avoiding this move because he may have been infectious but Tui and Pania have no problems with the cold, are quite well and none of the barn flock is doing the gaping thing so I am risking it.
On our walk yesterday morning I inspected under the bee hive. I cleared away the snow from their entrance and got a stick and pulled all the dead bees out of the way as they were blocking the door. There were a lot of dead bees. Hundreds of them. I became sadder and sadder as I pulled out the little frozen bodies. Then beginning very quietly and getting louder and angrier I heard a furious buzzing from hundreds of other bee voices. It was good to hear them shouting at me to bugger off! Good wee bees, I said. You go back to sleep now. They have piles of honey this year, I took none at all, so as long as they find the honey, there is a good chance they will do alright. Cold does not bother them, it is the fluctuations in weather that will cause the problems. So as far as they are concerned it is a good thing to get cold and stay cold. Losing some at the beginning of the winter is normal. So I am hoping this was not a bad sign.
We had a little more snow in the night, it is shaping up to be a very wintry winter.
Have a lovely day.
Your friend on the farmy
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
60 responses to “Mama finds her voice again and Kupa is moved into the chook house”
Oh! oopsie The Hobbit! I saw the reviews. Looks great! Would love to see it too. Maybe after everyone has been there first! Then no lines!!!
That certainly is good news to hear that Mama is talking again. Each day you bring news progress in her recovery. Now all eyes are on Kupa. I hope this next round of treatment helps him. It’s snowing right now, large fluffy flakes. I’m waiting for the weather report to see the latest on how much to expect. It’s been ages since we’ve had this much snow in December. At least it’s coming in separate waves and not all at once. We do not need a blizzard. Have a good night, Celi. Stay warm!
No, we certainly do not need a blizzard.. I love those big fluffy flakes, all we have got today are polystyrene balls! c
They said that we’ll get about an inch now and then another wave will hit at rush hour tomorrow morning for another inch. No mention of polystyrene balls, though. 🙂
Oh, there’s is a dragon in The Hobbit (which will be released in Australia I think on Boxing Day)… both the G.O. and I enjoyed the first Hobbit movie (& me the LOR’s) but took our time getting around to it. However, a dragon will see us at the cinema sooner rather than later 🙂
I’m really pleased about Mama, and a little worried about Kupa but you’ve managed to do the trick with a little… or a lot of… TLC so far.
So glad your injury is letting go of your life. (That was a wonderful way to say it)
We had frost last night. Some banana trees are limp and liquifying across the street – but still seeing monarch butterflies on the lantana which is bravely still blooming….warm (60-maybe70) for a couple of days before the nest front. The wide swings many sound nice, but confused the plants and not so good for my sinuses either…but ready for some sun..any little bit of sun…
Oh yes, when the sun comes out all is well with the world.. c
What good news that you sat through the Hobbit! Was this your birthday treat? And Mama is baa-ing once more. The snow looks beautiful.
I am glad you feeling a little better, now don’t over do it or you will be in pain again. Low and slow recovery you little speed demon… LOL My little Buddy is also disliking the cold and even with his little red doggy sweater he shivers and does not want to walk. It is a whopping 9 degrees celsius here in Hong kong and that is cold. I actually had to wear socks. Take care, BAM
The dead bee bodies sound normal. I have put insulation in the top of my hives and a slab on fondant on the crown board (just above the top frames). Do you have mouse guards on?
Sorry to hear about Kupa.
I have little wooden guards, yes, with a hold for them to get in and out, and insulation on the two coldest sides, I will do the top today, i worry about condensation tho.. c
If your floor is an open mesh one condensation shouldn’t be a problem. If it’s a solid floor then you may need a vent at the top to provide airflow. Traditionally matchsticks were used under the crown board in the UK.
Glad to here you can sit through a movie… things must be getting better…
Your snow is so pretty to look at. I’m glad Mama is feeling better, and Miss C is feeling better, now to get Kupa feeling better…
So relieved to hear that Mama is doing well and that YOU are doing so much better, though am distressed for poor Kupa. Did you love the Hobbit? We plan to see it after the holiday. Your snow scenes are so beautiful.