Kupa has pneumonia and is gravely ill. He is now gasping for air. His breathing is noisy. Dark tongue and dark nostrils, both of which should be pink. He is not getting enough oxygen. And I did not see him eat yesterday so we went to my vet in the afternoon.
After we visited the vet, where he had samples taken and swabs taken and spent most of the period swaddled in a towel in my arms, with me calling his call to him softly ‘ Neil-Neil, Neil-Neil. ‘ Kupa was still with shock, so we decided to bring him inside and put his box on the heated bathroom floor in the Coupe. Shock needs quiet and warmth and a cup of tea. Though I had the cup of tea. I am deeply against bringing wild animals inside but pneumonia needs warmth and humidity. Not dry, cold and dusty like the chook house and I can give him his medications for the next 24 hours without traumatising him by catching him each time. He can stay still and quiet. And I can make sure he eats and drinks. I have put two dog crates together so he can stretch out his tail.
But it is a catch 22. Birds, even robust birds like peacocks, are fragile really. A visit to the vet and a period in the house fill the bird with fear so are risky at best. But I should have taken him to the vet weeks ago. He has a great desire to survive to have lasted this long I think. At least there is no sign of worms at all.
Hopefully the antibiotics will clear up the ecoli lining his throat. But I may have left it too late. He is unchanged this morning.
I bet he wishes he was flying South for the winter. I have made him up a tonic of honey, fenugreek, (which promotes appetite in fowls) garlic and cider vinegar mixed with a lot of water. He has some in a bowl next to his clear water. And I shall also feed him drops of this when I can. He has four days of antibiotics ahead of him, injected into his breast. If he survives the next few nights he may survive the winter. But he will be living in the warm chook house with the chickens for the winter. No more free ranging with the others.
Today I will bring in a bigger cage and stand it upright in the basement so he can roost. Last night was pretty cramped for the poor fella, but he was warm and quiet.
In recovery mode, I hope. Nursing a bird is very different from nursing a sheep.
Have a lovely day.
your friend on the farmy
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
79 responses to “a peacock in the bathroom”
Sad news indeed – take care of yourself too, I know how much of yourself you give all the time. Sending all good wishes….
PS. I have a oldish(50’s) large(3ft.by 2ft.approx) velvet cut picture of a Grand Peacock in India that I saved from naysayers in my dining room. He has a place of honor on my wall . He survived our tornado (4/27/11) in our shed,unbeknown to me. He henceforth is Named: Kupa the Grand. Hugs from the deep south Ms. C.and be at Peace for the hands in the circle are joined…..
Yes nursing a bird is tough they are much more fragile. Fingers and toes crossed he will make it.
Love Leanne NZ
thank you leanne, he is doing ok so far, but no improvement and he is teaching me wonderful lessons as we work together.. c
Sorry to hear this. I am nursing a sick sheep right now so I truly empathize.
Oh, Celi, I am so sorry. If anyone can pull the Duke through, you can. You know, herbs and potions that work on humans do not always do well for other species. Warmth and quiet are the best medicine along with antibiotics right now. Only four days of antibiotics? That seems odd. Anyway, cyber hugs for you and magic get well wishes for the Duke, Seems like it is always something on a farm.
Oh Kupa, the poor little bugger… if only they could-would tell us what’s happening with them. Animals are so good at carrying on, making the best of it. Kupa may not know why he is getting all this special treatment but he does understand it’s Miss C, and she’s ok.
I asked the G.O. last night had he experience with peacocks. No. But he said similar as you, bred/introduced birds sometimes have less resilience.
What a run you’ve had, including your own tailbone. Hopefully there’s respite for you soon.
the girls are doing well too, so i agree with G.O and am leaning towards a badly bred bird.. but he is our big bird so he will just get a warmer environment from now on. Interesting to note that 80 years ago there were peacocks on this farm..but I see no wild ones, so it surely is not an ideal environment.. I should be breeding pheasants!!
Good luck with Kupa – I’m sure he has the best nurse there is 🙂
Ah, not Kupa! You are the only person I know with a peacock, and I’ve been following you since before you got the pea-fowl. He’s such a character and so beautiful, I hope he is strong enough to get past this.
Sending Kupa all the good vibes possible!
You’ve done all the things you could, and the right ones I would say.
Poor Kupa. He is getting the very best of attention and loving care. I’m sending a peacock prayer.
We are alike this way caring for ones others would just let nature have their way with. Each soul deserves to live a happy and healthy one for as long as possible. I thought lungs then I do not know these birds I lost an African Grey Parrot to a sickness and it crushed me only 4 and he should have lived to see 100 with the way I cared for him sometimes other things take over due to no fault of our own . Sending you a bigger hug now that you are not hurting so bad
Thank you for the bigger hug and this bird wants to live, I am sure of it and any animal who has made that decision deserves a nelping hand.. he is holding on .. c
I know you are right it is when the fight is gone that we give up. This has been one rough year for you many hugs sent daily for you. Just got my Christmas gift from friends in NZ and of course thought of you.
Seeing The Hobbit made me miss home.. love that you have NZ friends .. c
🙂 very dear and famous I think lol or on the race track man I love speed 🙂
I have a new theater I must go see it!
So sorry to hear about this sad turn of events Celi. Is it contagious, or would he be comforted by his peahens nearby?
It is not contagious, though peacocks are actually quite solitary birds I have noticed, and I just want to keep him warm for a few days.. c
pencilfox has said it so well!! Vibes from me on the jetstream also . . . so many shocks one after the other . . . Mama must be improving . . . I DO hope Kupa can also pull thru’ – Thinking of all of you on the farmy and hoping you will think of yourself first and foremost as you are the irreplacable one . . . love and hugs . . .
Oh poor Kupa. I see someone mentioned peppermint or eucalyptus oil in hot water. That really helps my asthma so that should help him be more comfortable and open the airways. Ginger tea helps too. Not sure if birds can handle the ginger but maybe warm ginger infused water would help. The only issue is if he would drink a strong flavoured drink. Sending positive thoughts.
Oh Cinders..I am joining hands with the rest of the fellowship in sending good healing thoughts and energy to the Farmy for big beautiful Kupa…I so hope he gets well…if it can be done, it will be because of you…again healing one of your flock…
xo-chris
you all have an important job.. c