Monday, October 31, 2022

Heartsick, Yet Again

 The chonkey portion of this post will be brief.

We lost four girls on Saturday.  I've been devastated and heartsick, not quite believing it to be true.
But Cora Bell, Violet, Peggy Sue, and Jewel are gone.  We still haven't found Violet's body.

Violet

Cora Bell on the right

Peggy Sue

Jewel, middle


Perhaps next Monday I can remind you of the stories about these little girls, but not tonight.

So for now I turn to food.


* * * * * *Vegan Delights * * * * * *

I've mentioned before how I enjoy watching Jacques Pepin's FB posts in which he whips up some simple dish. Last night I tried his version of Pasta Fagioli.  I've made this dish over the years but his seemed easier and quicker.

Well, Rick raved.  I mean raved .  So I now share the short video. 

Of course I modified to make it vegan, but it couldn't have been easier. --
Organic vegetable stock
Vegan parmesan (readily available)

Oh, and I added half of the can of beans to the pot while the pasta was cooking to make them a bit creamier.

I used chives and parsley.

And dinner was ready in nothing flat.
Deelish!
 


 

Monday, October 24, 2022

Phooey on Abscesses

 OK.  I think our dog vet is the best.  99% of the time I think no other vet can compare.  We found him back in 2004 in a desperate search to find a vet who would come to the home to euthanize our dog.  And we've been using him ever since. (one can only hope he never ever retires)

Other vets who are vivid in my memory are those who were compassionate during euthanasia.  That includes my current donkey vet.  She attended  on that awful day when I had to put Natural (see photo on right) down - my first and ultimately my last horse.  And I've been using her for the donks ever since.  You've gotta find a vet who understands the differences between horses and donks, and Dr. DeWitt does.

Anyhoo she came out last week to diagnose Gabby's lameness and found an abscess.  Here's the official online explanation:

  By Brian W. Fitzgerald, DVM

The scenario is all too familiar for many horse owners… yesterday your horse was sound, but today you find him crippled, with no apparent injury! What could have happened? Odds are this horse has a hoof abscess. Sooner or later, nearly all horse owners will encounter this problem. Fortunately, most horses make a full recovery with prompt treatment. 

Hoof Abscesses Explained 

Hoof abscesses occur when bacteria get trapped between the sensitive laminae (the tissue layer that bonds the hoof capsule to the coffin bone) and the hoof wall or sole. The bacteria create exudate (pus), which builds up and creates pressure behind the hoof wall or sole. This pressure can become extremely painful. 

Although most commonly seen during the wet winter and spring months, hoof abscesses can plague horses year-round. Moisture in the environment can soften regions of the foot and make it easier for bacteria to get trapped inside. Extremely dry conditions can cause brittle, cracked feet. The abscess-causing bacteria enter the foot through hoof cracks, by traveling up the white line, though penetrating wounds to the foot, and even by “close” horseshoeing nails.


We are now close to the end of treatment for the little girl, thank goodness.  It's involved wrapping special pads around the hoof multiple times and extended soakings.  I've gotta tell you, Gorilla tape sticks to anything but is a devil to get off.  Dr. DeWitt recommended it as it's thicker than duct tape, so of course I ran to the hardware store to get some.  It's pretty fantastic stuff.

A wrapped hoof


Soaking with an improvised bag.  We tried using 2 layers of zip lock bags but she busted those open almost immediately.  We searching the house for something to use when I said "aha, let's use this chicken treat bag.  Worked like a charm.  Keep in mind there's a quart of solution in that bag.


The soaking involved two 45-minute sessions so Gabs had to be segregated and occupied with many portions of hay.  Although I gave Sugar and Spice equally generous amounts of hay directly in front of the barn to keep Gabby less nervous, Sugar demanded some of the "special" hay.


 On Thursday we remove the last of the  wraps and hopefully all is well in hoof land. 


Monday, October 17, 2022

Cardboard Boxes and Crab Cakes

 First an update, then current tales.

Gigi was confined for a week without free range time  to help heal her owwie leg.  And then she started to get pretty morose.  So she's been out with the rest of the flock.  Still a slight limp but not as severe.  I'm just hoping with time it heals completely.

But Gabs is lame again.  It's just the weirdest thing.  So vet is coming out tomorrow.  I know I shouldn't  confess to having a favorite, but I do.  Gabby must get better!


On to current exploits.

The chickens just love nesting in the hay/straw aisle.  I caught Stevie in the act of carving out the perfect nest.  Volume up to hear the "I'm so happy with my egg laying spot" song.


And here two of the new girls cannot contain their enthusiasm for an open feed can.


I tried an experiment with the donks which I'm not sure I'll repeat.  Perhaps I'll check with the vet first, since she'll be here tomorrow.  I was duplicating someone else's idea.

Why not take a fairly sturdy cardboard box, cut some holes and stuff it with hay.  Gives the donks some entertainment and they can't do much damage.


Within two hours it was flattened and by the next morning only scraps remained.


This past Sunday was somewhat balmy (50's) so I sat with the hyenas in the driveway watching them  enjoy the remaining luscious grass.  The sheep next door were quite interested.




* * * * * * Just Say Yes * * * * * *

I have had the hardest time finding my favorite vegan crab cakes.  probably for 3-4 years.  I find them sporadically which is confusing.  A couple of weeks ago we were in Grand Rapids visiting my son and his girlfriend and went to a small market.  I found my crab cakes and was squealing with delight.

Of course I scooped up several packages!

 


Monday, October 10, 2022

Meet the New Girls

 The cutest shot yet of the new girls:

l-r:  Stevie (Nicks), Cora Bell, Gigi 

After being segregated for a few days. they are settling in to the routine nicely, but being bullied.  It seems to be worse when I around - I think the older girls know there could be treats and are determined those blasted new kids on the block are not going to get any.

Sweet Pea stops by to says hi to the new girls



When Gigi started limping I again checked for a local chicken vet.  This time I googled avian vet, found one less than 30 minutes away and called to see if their clients included chickens.  Yes yes yes!!

I had no idea what to do for a leg issue and could not imagine this little six-month old living the rest of her life with a significant limp, so off to the vet she and I went. Diagnosis, a knee issue with a wait and watch prescription.  Not sure if I see any improvement.  She is not allowed to free range with the other girls to try and curtail use of that leg, but gets extra treats sprinkled with an immune booster.

Cora Bell has taken Violet's place as my shadow and loves to be picked up.

Back story on the girls:  Animal control in a southeast MI community picked up the girls as the municipality's ordinance did not allow hens.  They were taken to the Michigan Humane Society's farm.  My guess is they were raised from chicks as they're so agreeable to being cuddled.  Sad story, but the moral is know your ordinance.   


Before we quickly brought in all the plants on the deck as overnight temps were plunging, I captured some late blooms.

the bougainvillea hasn't bloomed in years, 
but I happened to move it midsummer and it said I like this spot 


this begonia is also years old and continues to bloom up a storm



the burning bush's finest year yet