From 1a7568b3017052ddb3b0f18b0fcd8fba4d8c08d5 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Padreug Date: Fri, 8 May 2026 09:17:02 +0200 Subject: [PATCH] Add animal care docs for alpacas, horses, and poultry New animals/ section with mobile-first emergency page (vet contacts, symptom-to-action table, first aid steps), per-animal daily care for alpacas (Onu/Sapphi/Phil), horses, and chickens/ducks. Capture hay quality rules, alpaca cleaning schedule (11 AM, 8 PM), enterotoxemia schedule, shearer contact, and Sapphi's wound protocol from group discussions. Add natural/preventative care guide reflecting our natural-first philosophy with clear escalation criteria. Document the VetSet first aid kit, chore schedule, and the team-delegated process for taking on animal-care roles. Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 (1M context) --- content/animals/alpacas.md | 122 +++++++++++++++ content/animals/chores.md | 54 +++++++ content/animals/emergency.md | 139 ++++++++++++++++++ content/animals/first-aid-kit.md | 75 ++++++++++ content/animals/horses.md | 93 ++++++++++++ content/animals/index.md | 61 ++++++++ content/animals/natural-care.md | 114 ++++++++++++++ content/animals/poultry.md | 83 +++++++++++ content/emergency/index.md | 8 +- content/getting-started/index.md | 3 + .../shared-responsibilities.md | 1 + 11 files changed, 750 insertions(+), 3 deletions(-) create mode 100644 content/animals/alpacas.md create mode 100644 content/animals/chores.md create mode 100644 content/animals/emergency.md create mode 100644 content/animals/first-aid-kit.md create mode 100644 content/animals/horses.md create mode 100644 content/animals/index.md create mode 100644 content/animals/natural-care.md create mode 100644 content/animals/poultry.md diff --git a/content/animals/alpacas.md b/content/animals/alpacas.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..8c7db2f --- /dev/null +++ b/content/animals/alpacas.md @@ -0,0 +1,122 @@ +--- +title: Alpacas +description: Daily care, feeding, and health watching for our 3 alpacas +tags: + - animals + - alpacas +--- + +# Alpacas + +We have **3 alpacas**: **Onu**, **Sapphi**, and **Phil**. + +> [!warning] Alpacas hide illness +> They're prey animals — they mask symptoms until critical. **If something seems even slightly off, monitor it closely.** See [[emergency|Animal Emergency]]. + +## Daily Routine + +### Cleaning Times: 11:00 AM and 8:00 PM + +Twice daily — pen cleaning, water refresh, hay check. + +### Feeding + +#### Hay (the main food) + +- **Quality:** Light **greenish** hay from **inside the bale**. Should smell **sweet and grassy**, never dusty or moldy. +- **Outer shell** of the bale is degraded — safe as bedding but not food. +- **Moisture:** 12-16% for large bales, up to 18% for smaller bales. +- **Storage:** Covered, off the ground (or at least off the grass). Damp = worse than dusty. +- **Portions:** Frequent **small bundles** from inside the bale. Don't put out too much at once — anything exposed degrades faster than it'll be eaten. +- **Behavior check:** They should be curious and accepting of hay offers, not ravenous or aggressively competitive. + +#### Grain + +- 1 bag should last roughly **6 months** (per Jean Louis). +- Use sparingly as supplement, not main food. + +#### Water + +- **Always available, fresh.** Camelids need unlimited fresh water. +- Refresh during cleaning rounds (11 AM, 8 PM) at minimum. + +### Anyone can feed/water/fluff bedding at any time + +The system is flexible. If you notice it, nurture it. + +## Health Signs + +### ✅ Good signs + +- Staying with the herd +- **Cud chewing** — rhythmic, relaxed, regurgitating partially digested material +- Manure output trending normal (formed pellets) +- Grazing fresh grass, drinking water +- Smooth skin under fiber + +### ⚠️ Watch closely + +- Reduced manure output — isolate to monitor if needed +- Reduced appetite (>12 hrs) +- Crusty / thick / "elephant" skin → likely **mange / mite infestation** (treatable, ask vet) +- Mild lameness + +### 🚨 Emergency — see [[emergency|Animal Emergency]] + +- **Self-isolation from herd** (extreme emergency sign for camelids) +- **Colic signs** (see below) +- **Stargazing, head tilt, neck arch, unsteady gait, leg weakness** — neurological emergency +- Stops eating +- No manure +- Tooth grinding (pain, not the same as cud chewing) + +### Colic warning signs (call vet immediately) + +- Reduced/stopped eating +- Little or no manure output +- Repeatedly lying down and getting up +- Restlessness, can't get comfortable +- Tooth grinding +- Stretched-out or hunched posture +- Kicking at or looking at belly +- Bloated/tight abdomen +- No cud chewing +- Isolation from herd +- Weakness or depression + +## Annual / Periodic Care + +| Task | When | Notes | +|------|------|-------| +| **Enterotoxemia preventive** | 1×/year, beginning of Spring | 2cc subcutaneous. Last dose: **April 25, 2026** | +| **Sel Vitaminé à l'ail** | Ongoing | Natural prevention against worms & bacterial overgrowth — see [[natural-care|Natural Care]] | +| **Shearing (tonte)** | End June / early July | Contact: **François Meheust — 06 76 63 58 47** | +| **Nail trimming** | White: every 3-4 months. Black: much less often | Often done at shearing. Visually apparent when needed. | +| **Fecal exam** | Every 3-4 months | Targeted deworming based on results, not blanket treatment | + +## Notes from the Herd + +- **Onu** can be reactive at night — has been known to charge things he thinks are predators (e.g. blanket movement at the foot of the bed) and make a loud screech. Stops as soon as you say it's you. +- Deer in the area can make alpacas nervous → loud warning sounds. +- A camera in the stables is planned for monitoring. +- **Sapphi's leg wound** (~April 26, 2026): was bitten — clean 1-2× per day with vet's protocol for 7-10 days. Watch for flies on fresh wounds. + +## Stables Setup + +- Idea: attach a hay-feeding bar to a lower spot between boxes. +- Idea: build a 3rd wall on the stables so they can sleep inside in less hyper-alert mode. +- Electric fence: check status before assuming on/off (was unplugged at one point). + +## Sleeping in the Stables + +If you stay overnight with the herd: +- Bring a **mosquito net** (camping nets work). +- Keep a **good stick** nearby for chasing predators. +- Leave the metal gate open or closed depending on situation — coordinate with whoever else is on duty. + +## Related + +- [[emergency|🚨 Animal Emergency]] +- [[natural-care|Natural & Preventative Care]] +- [[first-aid-kit|First Aid Kit]] +- [[chores|Chore Schedule]] diff --git a/content/animals/chores.md b/content/animals/chores.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7a7a941 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/animals/chores.md @@ -0,0 +1,54 @@ +--- +title: Animal Chore Schedule +description: Daily and periodic chores for the animals +tags: + - animals + - chores + - schedule +--- + +# Animal Chore Schedule + +> [!important] Roles are delegated by the team +> No one takes on an animal-care role without first talking to the team lead. See [[index#animal-care-roles|Animal Care Roles]] for how this works. + +## Daily + +| Time | Task | Animals | +|------|------|---------| +| Morning | Open poultry coop | Chickens, ducks | +| Morning | Quick health scan, count | All | +| **11:00 AM** | Cleaning round + water + hay check | [[alpacas\|Alpacas]] | +| Throughout day | Egg collection | Chickens | +| Throughout day | Refresh water as needed | All | +| **8:00 PM** | Cleaning round + water + hay check | [[alpacas\|Alpacas]] | +| Dusk | Close poultry coop | Chickens, ducks | + +> [!tip] Karma yoga approach +> If you notice it, nurture it. Anyone can feed alpacas, change water, fluff bedding at any time. The 11 AM and 8 PM cleanings are the structured baseline. + +## Weekly + +- Deep clean stables / coop +- Check fences, electric fence (verify status) +- Restock feed, hay, supplies +- Note observations / changes in shared chat + +## Periodic (per animal) + +See: +- [[alpacas#annual--periodic-care|Alpaca periodic care]] +- [[horses#periodic-care|Horse periodic care]] +- Poultry: ongoing dusting/treatment + seasonal coop deep clean + +## Coordination + +- Share updates in the group chat — who did what, when. +- Flag anything unusual: unusual behavior, missing eggs, predator signs, fence issues. +- If you'll miss a cleaning round, give notice so someone else can cover. + +## Related + +- [[emergency|🚨 Animal Emergency]] +- [[natural-care|Natural & Preventative Care]] +- [[../getting-started/daily-schedule|General Daily Schedule]] diff --git a/content/animals/emergency.md b/content/animals/emergency.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a2bf972 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/animals/emergency.md @@ -0,0 +1,139 @@ +--- +title: Animal Emergency +description: Emergency procedures and vet contacts for alpacas, horses, chickens, and ducks +tags: + - emergency + - animals + - veterinary +--- + +# Animal Emergency + +> [!important] On duty? +> If you're holding an animal-care shift, you're the calm responder when something needs attention. See [[index#animal-care-roles|Animal Care Roles]] for how shifts are delegated. + +> [!tip] Our care philosophy +> We tend toward **natural care first** — herbs, minerals, clean environment, and prevention. Antibiotics, pharmaceutical dewormers, and vaccinations are used only when **absolutely necessary** (e.g. genuine emergency, no natural option working). See [[natural-care|Natural & Preventative Care]] for daily/weekly practices. **In a true emergency this still means: call the vet.** Don't delay over philosophy. + +> [!danger] Call a vet immediately for any of these +> - Severe bleeding that won't stop +> - Difficulty breathing / open-mouth breathing +> - Suspected fracture, severe lameness, can't stand +> - Severe colic (rolling, thrashing, kicking belly) +> - Animal isolated from herd + unresponsive +> - Choke (food/object stuck, drooling, distress) +> - Predator attack — even if no visible injury (shock kills) + +## Vet Contacts + +> [!important] Try in this order +> +> | Vet | Phone | Notes | +> |-----|-------|-------| +> | **Élodie Vétérinaire** | **06 77 74 83 67** | Primary local vet | +> | **Clinique Vétérinaire Saintenac (Varilhes)** | **05 61 67 43 36** | Clinic, regular hours | +> | **Vétérinaire du Chat Perché** (Saint-Girons) | **05 61 66 01 66** | Previous vet (Emilie Gusse) — has all alpaca history | + +## When You Call the Vet + +Have ready: +- **Which animal** (Onu, Sapphi, etc. — see [[alpacas|alpaca page]]) +- **Symptoms** (specific, when they started) +- **Vital signs** if known (heart rate, temperature, gum color) +- **What changed** (new feed, weather, predator activity) +- **The chateau address:** Rue Grand Rue de Bellissen, Bénac, 09000 Foix + +## Quick Symptom Reference + +> [!warning] Camelids (alpacas) hide illness +> Alpacas are prey animals — they mask symptoms until very serious. **If something seems off, act on it.** + +### 🚨 Call vet now + +| Symptom | Possible Cause | +|---------|---------------| +| Not eating 24+ hrs | Colic, severe illness | +| No manure output | Colic, blockage | +| Lying down + getting up repeatedly | Colic | +| Kicking at belly, hunched/stretched posture | Colic | +| Bloated/tight abdomen | Colic, bloat | +| Self-isolating from herd | Severe illness | +| Gums pale, purple, or very red | Shock, circulation issue | +| Heart rate ≥ 60 bpm (horse) and rising | Severe colic | +| Stargazing, head tilt, unsteady gait (alpaca) | Neurological — emergency | +| Open-mouth breathing (poultry) | Severe respiratory distress | +| Comb/wattle blue or purple (chicken) | Oxygen / circulation crisis | +| Limp, cold feet/bill (duck) | Shock | +| Predator attack (any) | Shock — even with no visible wound | + +### ⚠️ Watch closely / call if not improving + +| Symptom | Action | +|---------|--------| +| Reduced appetite | Monitor 12-24 hrs, call if no change | +| Reduced manure | Isolate to monitor output | +| Mild lameness | Rest, check hoof/leg, call vet if persists | +| Wound (small, clean) | Clean with antiseptic, monitor | +| Ruffled feathers + lethargy | Isolate, monitor, call if worsens | + +## First Aid Before the Vet Arrives + +### General + +1. **Stay calm.** Approach slowly so you don't add stress. +2. **Move others away** if possible — calm herd, secure the patient. +3. **Bleeding** — apply firm direct pressure with a clean cloth. +4. **Don't give medication** unless the vet has told you to. +5. **Note the time** symptoms started. + +### Colic (alpaca/horse) + +- **Remove all food.** +- **Water is OK** unless the vet says otherwise. +- **Short, calm walking** can help with mild gas pain — stop if pain worsens. +- **Do not give Banamine, sedatives, or any drug** without vet approval (masks symptoms). + +### Wounds + +1. Stop bleeding with direct pressure. +2. Once bleeding controlled, rinse with clean water or saline. +3. Apply antiseptic from the [[first-aid-kit|first aid kit]]. +4. Cover lightly with non-stick dressing. +5. Keep flies off — wound spray or covering. + +### Predator attack + +- Even if no visible injury, animal can die of shock — **call vet**. +- Keep animal warm and quiet, away from predator/threat. +- Do not chase off other herd members — they reduce stress. + +### Choke (food/object stuck) + +- Remove all food and water. +- Keep the head low if possible (helps drainage). +- Don't try to push obstruction down — call vet. + +### Heat / cold stress + +- **Heat:** shade, water, hose down legs/belly (not back). +- **Cold:** dry shelter, blankets if soaked, hot water bottles for poultry chicks. + +## First Aid Kit + +The **VetSet Complete Equine First Aid Kit** is in: *TBD — set location*. + +Latex-free gloves are stocked. See [[first-aid-kit|Animal First Aid Kit]] for full contents. + +## After Hours + +- If your vet doesn't answer, **try the next number on the list**. +- For horses specifically, the **Cleveland-style rule** applies: when in doubt, call. Waiting too long with colic is fatal. +- Document everything — photos and timestamps help the vet enormously. + +## Related + +- [[alpacas|Alpaca care]] +- [[horses|Horse care]] +- [[poultry|Chicken & duck care]] +- [[first-aid-kit|First Aid Kit]] +- [[../emergency/medical|Human Medical Emergency]] diff --git a/content/animals/first-aid-kit.md b/content/animals/first-aid-kit.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a593746 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/animals/first-aid-kit.md @@ -0,0 +1,75 @@ +--- +title: Animal First Aid Kit +description: Contents and location of the animal first aid supplies +tags: + - animals + - first-aid + - emergency +--- + +# Animal First Aid Kit + +> [!important] Location +> **VetSet Complete Equine First Aid Kit:** *TBD — set location and update* +> The kit is sized for horses but contents are usable across alpacas, horses, and (with care) poultry. + +## What's in the Kit (Equine First Aid Standard) + +A complete equine first aid kit typically contains: + +### Wound care +- Antiseptic solution (chlorhexidine / Hibiscrub) +- Saline / sterile rinse +- Wound spray +- Non-stick wound dressings +- Sterile gauze pads +- Cotton wool / cotton roll + +### Bandaging +- Self-adhesive bandages (Vetrap / Co-Flex) +- Stretch crepe bandages +- Adhesive medical tape +- Bandage scissors + +### Vital signs / diagnostics +- Digital thermometer +- Stethoscope (for heart rate and gut sounds) +- Vital signs reference card + +### Tools +- Bandage scissors +- Tweezers / forceps +- Syringes (no needle, for flushing) +- **Latex-free gloves** (kept stocked separately — go-to for many applications) + +### Other +- Duct tape (hoof / makeshift bandaging) +- Poultice +- Towel / clean cloths +- Flashlight (with batteries) +- Notebook + pen for recording symptoms + +## Natural / Holistic Supplies (kept alongside) + +In line with our [[natural-care|natural care approach]]: + +- **Apple cider vinegar** (poultry waterer + general) +- **Crushed garlic / garlic powder** +- **Diatomaceous earth** (food grade) +- **Sel Vitaminé à l'ail** (alpaca mineral access) +- **Honey** (raw, for wound dressing — antibacterial) +- **Calendula salve** (skin / minor wounds) +- **Witch hazel** (bruises, irritation) +- **Echinacea / herbal immune blend** + +## Resupply + +When you use something, **note it** and tell the group. Reorder before stock runs low. + +> [!info] Original kit +> Ordered: VetSet Complete Equine First Aid Kit and Box ([Redpost Equestrian](https://www.redpostequestrian.co.uk/horse-care/first-aid-healing/vetset-complete-equine-first-aid-kit-and-box__238903)) — comprehensive, applies to many animals. + +## Related + +- [[emergency|🚨 Animal Emergency]] +- [[natural-care|Natural & Preventative Care]] diff --git a/content/animals/horses.md b/content/animals/horses.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..9d21f82 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/animals/horses.md @@ -0,0 +1,93 @@ +--- +title: Horses +description: Daily care and health watching for our 2 horses +tags: + - animals + - horses +--- + +# Horses + +We have **2 horses**. + +> [!danger] Colic kills fast +> If you suspect colic, **call the vet**. See [[emergency|Animal Emergency]] for the protocol. + +## Daily Routine + +- **Hay:** good quality, off-ground, not dusty/moldy. Same standard as [[alpacas#hay-the-main-food|alpaca hay]]. +- **Water:** always available, clean, fresh. +- **Pasture / movement:** horses need movement. If stalled, daily turnout. +- **Hooves:** pick out daily — check for stones, thrush, abscess. +- **General check:** eyes, nostrils, manure, demeanor. + +## Health Signs + +### ✅ Good signs + +- Eating, drinking, pooping normally +- Bright eyes, alert +- Normal gum color (light pink, capillary refill < 2 seconds) +- Hooves cool to touch (not hot — heat = inflammation) + +### ⚠️ Watch closely + +- Reduced appetite or water intake +- Mild lameness +- Heat in a hoof +- Cough or runny nose + +### 🚨 Emergency — see [[emergency|Animal Emergency]] + +- **Colic signs** (see below) +- Severe lameness, can't bear weight +- Severe bleeding +- Choke (food stuck — drooling, distress, food/saliva from nose) +- Eye injury +- Can't stand +- Heart rate ≥ 60 bpm and rising + +### Colic warning signs (call vet immediately) + +- Restlessness, pawing the ground +- Rolling, thrashing +- Looking at or kicking the belly +- Sweating without exertion +- Stretched-out or hunched posture +- Loss of appetite +- Reduced/no manure +- Lying down and getting up repeatedly +- Quiet gut sounds (no rumbling) + bloating + +### Before the vet arrives (colic) + +1. **Remove all food.** +2. **Water is OK** unless told otherwise. +3. **Calm walking** can help mild gas pain — stop if pain worsens or it's unsafe. +4. **Don't give Banamine, sedatives, or any drug** without vet approval (masks symptoms). +5. Note the time symptoms started. + +## Vital Signs (for the vet) + +| Vital | Normal range | +|-------|--------------| +| Heart rate | 28-44 bpm at rest | +| Respiration | 8-16 breaths/min at rest | +| Temperature | 37.5-38.5 °C (99.5-101.3 °F) | +| Capillary refill | < 2 seconds | +| Gum color | Light pink | + +## Periodic Care + +| Task | When | Notes | +|------|------|-------| +| Hoof trim / farrier | Every 6-8 weeks | *TBD: farrier contact* | +| Dental check | Annual | *TBD: vet contact* | +| Fecal exam | Every 3-4 months | Targeted deworming — see [[natural-care|Natural Care]] | +| Vaccinations | As needed | Natural-first; only when necessary | + +## Related + +- [[emergency|🚨 Animal Emergency]] +- [[natural-care|Natural & Preventative Care]] +- [[first-aid-kit|First Aid Kit]] diff --git a/content/animals/index.md b/content/animals/index.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..01f36ba --- /dev/null +++ b/content/animals/index.md @@ -0,0 +1,61 @@ +--- +title: Animals +description: Care, chores, and emergency procedures for the chateau's animals +tags: + - animals +--- + +# Animals + +We share the land with **3 alpacas**, **2 horses**, **chickens**, and **ducks**. This section covers daily care, watching for issues, and what to do in an emergency. + +> [!danger] Emergency? +> Go straight to **[[emergency|Animal Emergency]]** for vet phone numbers and quick symptom-to-action guide. + +## Animal Care Roles + +> [!important] All animal-care roles are delegated by the team +> **No one takes on an animal role without first consulting the person in charge** — the authority to delegate animal-care tasks rests with team leads. This is how we keep the herd, the flock, and each other safe. + +We live in a **safe area with few predators**, and we embody a **safe zone through our composure** — calm handling, attentive routines, and a settled environment that the animals can trust. That calm is the baseline. + +On top of that, we **prepare to act**: + +- **First-aid training** — animal and human +- **High-stress situational training** — knowing how to stay grounded when something unexpected happens +- **Clear protocols** — see [[emergency|emergency procedures]] and [[first-aid-kit|the first aid kit]] +- **Tight communication** — observations and updates flow through the group, daily + +**If you'd like to take on an animal role:** + +1. Talk to the team lead. The role is theirs to delegate. +2. Shadow someone first if you're new — that's the normal path. +3. Read [[emergency|the emergency page]] and know where the [[first-aid-kit|first aid kit]] is. +4. **If you have any doubts about your ability to act in a stressful moment, talk to the team.** That conversation is welcome and expected — being honest about capacity protects everyone, you included. + +This isn't gatekeeping; it's how we make sure every person on duty has what they need to do well by the animals. + +## Our Approach + +We tend toward **natural care first** — herbs, minerals, clean environment, prevention. Pharmaceuticals (antibiotics, vaccines, chemical dewormers) only when absolutely necessary. See [[natural-care|Natural & Preventative Care]]. + +## Animals + +- [[alpacas|Alpacas]] — Onu, Sapphi, and Phil +- [[horses|Horses]] — 2 horses +- [[poultry|Chickens & Ducks]] + +## Reference + +- [[emergency|🚨 Animal Emergency]] — vet contacts, symptom checklist, first aid steps +- [[chores|Daily Chore Schedule]] +- [[natural-care|Natural & Preventative Care]] +- [[first-aid-kit|First Aid Kit]] + +## Quick Vet Contacts + +| Vet | Phone | +|-----|-------| +| Élodie Vétérinaire (primary) | **06 77 74 83 67** | +| Clinique Vétérinaire Saintenac (Varilhes) | **05 61 67 43 36** | +| Vétérinaire du Chat Perché (Saint-Girons) | **05 61 66 01 66** | diff --git a/content/animals/natural-care.md b/content/animals/natural-care.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3095940 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/animals/natural-care.md @@ -0,0 +1,114 @@ +--- +title: Natural & Preventative Care +description: Holistic, herbal, and preventative practices for our animals +tags: + - animals + - natural-care + - prevention +--- + +# Natural & Preventative Care + +> [!important] Our philosophy +> We tend toward **natural care first** — clean environment, good nutrition, herbs, minerals, low stress. We use antibiotics, vaccinations, and pharmaceutical dewormers **only when absolutely necessary**. **Emergencies still mean: call the vet.** See [[emergency|Animal Emergency]]. + +## Foundational Principles + +The most effective preventative is everything we do every day: + +- **Clean environment** — pen cleaning 2× daily for alpacas, dry bedding, fresh water +- **Good nutrition** — quality hay, balanced minerals, no moldy feed +- **Low stress** — quiet handling, herd cohesion, predator protection +- **Observation** — daily health scans, watch for the smallest changes +- **Fecal exams every 3-4 months** — target deworming only where actually needed (not blanket pharmaceutical treatment) + +## Alpacas + +### Sel Vitaminé à l'ail + +- **Garlic-vitamin salt** — natural prevention against worms and bacterial overgrowth. +- Provided as part of mineral access. + +### Herbal antiparasitic blends + +Whole herbs studied for camelid use include: **garlic, wormwood, thyme, oregano, cloves, sage, ginger, cinnamon, cayenne**. Commercial formulations (e.g. Verm-X, WormGuard Plus) combine several. + +> [!tip] Lunar timing +> Many holistic herders deworm **just before and during the full moon** to disrupt the parasite egg-laying cycle. + +### Mineral balance + +When mineral nutrition is in balance, ruminant digestion improves and they develop more resistance to parasites. Salt + trace mineral access (Redmond-style sea salt or equivalent with 50+ trace minerals) is foundational. + +### Skin health + +- **Crusty / "elephant" skin** is **not normal** — likely active mange/mite infestation. Treatable. Ask the vet — natural treatments include sulfur dips, herbal washes, but veterinary input is important to confirm diagnosis and severity. + +## Horses + +### Herbal anthelmintics + +Common antiparasitic herbs for horses: **cayenne, garlic, olive leaf, oregano, pau d'arco, wormwood, tansy, burdock, flax seed, cloves**. Available in commercial blends (Silver Lining, Earthsong Ranch, McDowells, etc.). + +> [!warning] Garlic alone is not a proven dewormer +> Some sources contest garlic's antiparasitic effect on horses. Use **fecal exams** to verify whatever protocol you follow — herbal or pharmaceutical — is actually working. + +### Immune support herbs + +- **Echinacea** — immune stimulation +- **Spirulina** — beta-carotene, vitamin E, phycocyanin +- **Turmeric** — anti-inflammatory + +### Management practices + +- **Pasture rotation** breaks parasite cycles better than any dewormer. +- **Pick paddocks** of manure regularly. +- **Cool, dry, well-ventilated** stable reduces respiratory and skin issues. + +## Poultry: Holistic Trinity + +The classic three for chickens (and ducks): + +### 1. Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) + +- **Dose:** 1 tablespoon per gallon of drinking water +- **Why:** pH balance, electrolytes, pro-/pre-biotics, vitamins, minerals, enzymes +- **Use:** plastic or glass waterers only — ACV corrodes metal + +### 2. Garlic + +- **Dose:** crushed clove(s) or powder in feed +- **Why:** boosts white blood cell production, helps prevent worms, makes blood unappealing to mites/ticks +- **Tip:** can infuse garlic in ACV for combined dosing + +### 3. Diatomaceous Earth (food grade only) + +- **Dose:** light dusting in feed (1-2% of feed) and in dust-bath areas +- **Why:** abrasive to internal/external parasites +- **Caution:** food grade ONLY. Don't inhale the dust — wear a mask when applying. + +### Useful herbs + +- **Oregano** — natural antibiotic +- **Thyme** — respiratory support +- **Turmeric** — anti-inflammatory (e.g. for bumblefoot swelling) +- **Mint, lavender, calendula** in nesting boxes — pest deterrent + calming + +## When Natural Isn't Enough + +Natural care **is not the same as no care**. Pharmaceuticals exist for a reason. Escalate to conventional veterinary treatment when: + +- Animal is **getting worse** despite natural protocol +- **Acute emergency** (colic, severe wound, shock, neurological signs) +- **Fecal egg count** stays high after herbal treatment +- Vet specifically recommends it for this animal's case + +The goal is **optimal animal welfare**, not ideological purity. Document what works and what doesn't so the herd's history informs future decisions. + +## Related + +- [[emergency|🚨 Animal Emergency]] +- [[alpacas|Alpacas]] +- [[horses|Horses]] +- [[poultry|Chickens & Ducks]] +- [[first-aid-kit|First Aid Kit]] diff --git a/content/animals/poultry.md b/content/animals/poultry.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..46ef705 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/animals/poultry.md @@ -0,0 +1,83 @@ +--- +title: Chickens & Ducks +description: Daily care for the flock +tags: + - animals + - poultry + - chickens + - ducks +--- + +# Chickens & Ducks + +Our flock includes chickens and **4 ducks**: Tango, and 3 others (names TBD — candidates: Polka, Pinto, Skippi, Rio, Silo, Pippi). + +## Daily Routine + +- **Open coop** in the morning, **close at dusk** (predator protection). +- **Fresh water** every day — ducks need water deep enough to dunk their heads. +- **Feed** — appropriate grain/pellets, plus kitchen scraps (no avocado, chocolate, raw beans, citrus peels, onions). +- **Egg collection** — daily. +- **Quick health scan** — count birds, check for any acting "off." + +## Watching for Issues + +### ✅ Good signs + +- Active, foraging, scratching/pecking +- Bright eyes, alert +- Normal comb/wattle color (chickens) — bright red/pink +- Smooth, glossy feathers +- Eating, drinking, laying + +### ⚠️ Watch closely + +- Eating or drinking less than normal +- Ruffled feathers + lethargy +- Runny diarrhea +- Discharge from eyes/nose +- Fewer eggs, soft-shelled or misshapen eggs + +### 🚨 Emergency — see [[emergency|Animal Emergency]] + +**Chickens:** +- **Open-mouth breathing, gasping, tail bobbing** → severe respiratory distress +- **Comb/wattle blue, purple, or very pale** → oxygen / circulation crisis +- Standing isolated, head down, feathers ruffled, eyes partly/fully closed → critically ill +- **Stops eating completely 24+ hrs** → serious problem (digestive, infection, pain) + +**Ducks:** +- **Limp, weak, eyes closed, cold feet/bill, shallow breathing** → shock +- **Predator attack** — even no visible wound, shock can kill. Call vet. + +## Predator Protection + +- Coop **closed every dusk**, opened in the morning. +- Watch for tracks, dug holes, missing birds. +- Big bee/wasp activity around stables/coop → check for nests. + +## Natural Daily Health Boosters + +The **"Holistic Trinity"** — see [[natural-care#poultry-holistic-trinity|Natural Care: Poultry]] for details. + +| Supplement | Dose | What it does | +|------------|------|-------------| +| **Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)** | 1 tbsp / gallon water | pH balance, electrolytes, immune support | +| **Garlic** | Crushed clove or powder in feed | Worm prevention, anti-mite/tick (in blood) | +| **Diatomaceous Earth (food grade)** | Light dusting in feed and dust-bath area | Internal & external parasite control | + +Plus useful herbs in feed/water: **oregano, thyme, turmeric**. + +## Predator-Attack First Aid + +Even if no visible injury, **call vet** — shock kills. +1. Move to quiet, warm, dim space. +2. Wrap in towel if cold/shocked. +3. Dropper of warm sugar water or electrolytes if conscious. +4. Don't force food. + +## Related + +- [[emergency|🚨 Animal Emergency]] +- [[natural-care|Natural & Preventative Care]] +- [[first-aid-kit|First Aid Kit]] diff --git a/content/emergency/index.md b/content/emergency/index.md index c160457..53558af 100644 --- a/content/emergency/index.md +++ b/content/emergency/index.md @@ -49,14 +49,16 @@ tags: - [[power-outage|Power Outage]] - [[water-emergency|Water Emergency]] - [[severe-weather|Severe Weather]] +- [[animals/emergency|🐎 Animal Emergency]] — alpacas, horses, poultry --- ## Property Address > [!info] Full Address for Emergency Services -> *TBD - Add full property address here* +> **Le Château de Bénac** +> Rue Grand Rue de Bellissen, Bénac, 09000 Foix, France > -> **GPS Coordinates:** *TBD* +> **GPS Coordinates:** 42.9537, 1.5266 > -> **Landmark directions:** *TBD - Add directions for emergency vehicles* +> **Landmark directions:** *TBD* diff --git a/content/getting-started/index.md b/content/getting-started/index.md index 3bb9bd0..bfd698e 100644 --- a/content/getting-started/index.md +++ b/content/getting-started/index.md @@ -26,6 +26,9 @@ Learn the locations of: - [[water|Main water shutoff]] - [[heating-system|Heating system]] +### Animals on the Property +We have alpacas, horses, chickens, and ducks. See [[../animals/index|Animals]] for daily care, chore schedule, and [[../animals/emergency|emergency procedures]]. + ### 3. WiFi Access - SSID and password are shown on a printout in the entrance hall - See [[internet|Internet & Communications]] diff --git a/content/getting-started/shared-responsibilities.md b/content/getting-started/shared-responsibilities.md index 019936f..f01b40a 100644 --- a/content/getting-started/shared-responsibilities.md +++ b/content/getting-started/shared-responsibilities.md @@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ Daily upkeep follows a "karma yoga" approach — if you notice it, nurture it. S ### Daily Tasks - Collective food prep and lunch clean-up during Karma Yoga block - Dishes, kitchen tidying, general upkeep +- [[../animals/chores|Animal chores]] — alpaca cleaning at 11 AM and 8 PM, poultry coop open/close ### Weekly Tasks - [[cleaning-party|Sunday Cleaning Party]] (10:00 AM)