OK. It has been a rough 36 hours. Or how many hours? Since Saturday morning anyway. It feels like a week. We are not out of the woods yet but I do see the light a little. 
The calf scours have not got the better of us yet. I have three calves looking quite good- still not robust but on the way. Another of the big girls is up and about but still needs a lot of patience to get feeding. But all four are standing to drink. And jump up when i come into the barn. Little is still lethargic – he is good in the morning – not so good in the afternoon, but he is cleaning up slowly and is peeing. He sleeps too much but often is in a different part of his pen each time I visit now which is good. I make him stand up to drink but it does not last long. It just takes so long to get him fed but I have all the patience in the world for little animals. He was also observed chewing his cud though how he got any cud to chew is anyones guess. I give them all lots of strokes and massages to get their bodies working. I can’t tell you how many disposable gloves I have gone through. And a different set of gumboots for each pen. Not good for the environment at all! But the best I can do.
But we need a few more days yet for any kind of prognosis.
They get milk and electrolytes in a four hour rotation, milk at 6, electrolytes at 10, milk at 2 and etc. The milk is still at a third strength. But three times a day. 
And in all this we have lost Godot. Our beautiful white peacock died of shock after being attacked probably by Mr Flowers. (I know it was not a dog as this happened during milking and the dogs were in my sight and he looked untouched). Mr Flowers has been hounding this young peacock since I let them all out. Usually Godot hides in the top of the barn but he must have been caught in the open. I found him with his head hidden under a tree root. (A classic with birds who have been harrassed.) He was alive but let me pick him up which was a very bad sign. I laid him up in the loft close to Mrs Flowers who is his buddy but he was dead in the morning. 
Miserable.
A short life is not a bad life. I say this all the time. But I felt devastated.
Especially after battling for the lives of these calves refusing to give up when when the calf stops peddling and then this magnificent bird dies without a murmur.
But life goes on. An age old saying but a true one. We must keep moving along. So we do.
Tomoyo is getting stronger and more confident every day. She looks after the meat chickens amongst a number of other things and is developing some wonderful skills in the garden.
Do you see that Geraldine is developing her crown? 
I was pruning yesterday. Pigs love mulberries and they actually have a high protein level too. So I throw the branches in with them any chance I get. The piglets grabbed the little branches and ran about with them, in high spirits!
As I was driving back from the barn yesterday afternoon we passed a large fertiliser truck on the side of the road. The man was working on his hitch. I slowed down to go around him and lowered my window to wave and say Hullo. He matched my Hullo with a nod of his head as we do out here and waved his arm to tell us to pass. I saw that he had no hand and the other arm had a little hand up by his shoulder. He smiled at me with his farmers smile and waved us on with a grin.
I am small compared to his heroism. His beauty and determination both captured me and chastised me. I lose a little sleep and I whine. What am I complaining about.
I hope you have a lovely day.
Your friend on the farm,
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
70 responses to “The Woods”
Sorry about Godot. But on the upside sounds like the little calves are doing better.
The loss of Godot is a tough one to contemplate, especially amidst the rigours of raising the calves, first from their original fate via the sales yards and now a second time round. Amongst all you inspire what shines for me is the strength to live by your beliefs and own work, to venture, try, succeed or learn and repeat if necessary…
Such sad news, such good news. Poor wee Godot, RiP. Rescue Remedy for all the humans, for the shock and sadness, and help replenish you while battling for the babies, and Mrs Flowers too if you can get near her, even a waft in a spray bottle in the air near her will be enough, she will be missing her mate. Hugs X
I love your idea with Rescue in a spray bottle. Would help – maybe Celi has Rescue Remedy at hand…
I have no idea where to buy it here – I will do a search or get it next time I am in NZ.. c
Sent you an email.
To use ‘adages’ again: we seem to have reached that ‘it never rains but pours’ stage once more . . . . it probably does not make it easier to know that ‘this too will pass’. I hope very soon. Actually my favourite photo today is that of little Tomoyo fighting that chicken arc so bravely . . . methinks good for you to have her company and help . . .
I love that shot too, she is so tiny – tinier than me and I am letting her get her back into it – she feels such a sense of satisfaction now that she has discovered that she CAN move it by herself.. lovely girl.. c
Such a moving post Celi…you’re doing wonders with the little calves giving them what their mothers weren’t allowed to give them, including the TLC… Godot breaks my heart like everyone else… but your last story about the farmer was such a gift… so beautiful and so amazing, the way the human spirit can be so undaunted.. so humbling to read that wonderful story, thank you…
I was devastated when I read of Godot. I guess there can only be one king of the castle. Glad the little calves are getting a bit stronger each day. If anyone can see them through, my money is on you, Cecilia. We can always find someone with a harder row to hoe.
So, I have to ask, and maybe you’ve already addressed this. but….. are you treating the calves for coccidiosis?? Can you give them antibiotics to clear up the scours, or is that a no-no for the way you are raising them….such as to be Organic?? Have you thought about getting a fecal test run?? Again, sorry if you have already addressed these things.
I am not organic to that level. The antibiotics are having no effect.
So sorry to read about Godot – I know the shock of losing one unexpectedly when you’re busy with other things. And don’t beat yourself up about whining, Celi – as you say “a few days of lack of sleep” – lack of sleep is a HUGE issue when you’re feeling down. I agree with tntdreaming – check for coccidia and treat, if you aren’t already (and as mentioned, I’m sure you already have).
Sending good thoughts your way for a return to normalcy, and healthy calves soon (and everything else on the farm!).
The vagaries of death! Just when you think you’re prepared, it rises up somewhere else.
Your lady sentence moved me. I too feel like that Celi. I’m so sorry about Godot ..