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) <noreply@anthropic.com>
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content/animals/alpacas.md
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---
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title: Alpacas
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description: Daily care, feeding, and health watching for our 3 alpacas
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tags:
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- animals
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- alpacas
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---
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# Alpacas
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We have **3 alpacas**: **Onu**, **Sapphi**, and **Phil**.
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> [!warning] Alpacas hide illness
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> They're prey animals — they mask symptoms until critical. **If something seems even slightly off, monitor it closely.** See [[emergency|Animal Emergency]].
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## Daily Routine
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### Cleaning Times: 11:00 AM and 8:00 PM
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Twice daily — pen cleaning, water refresh, hay check.
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### Feeding
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#### Hay (the main food)
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- **Quality:** Light **greenish** hay from **inside the bale**. Should smell **sweet and grassy**, never dusty or moldy.
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- **Outer shell** of the bale is degraded — safe as bedding but not food.
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- **Moisture:** 12-16% for large bales, up to 18% for smaller bales.
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- **Storage:** Covered, off the ground (or at least off the grass). Damp = worse than dusty.
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- **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.
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- **Behavior check:** They should be curious and accepting of hay offers, not ravenous or aggressively competitive.
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#### Grain
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- 1 bag should last roughly **6 months** (per Jean Louis).
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- Use sparingly as supplement, not main food.
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#### Water
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- **Always available, fresh.** Camelids need unlimited fresh water.
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- Refresh during cleaning rounds (11 AM, 8 PM) at minimum.
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### Anyone can feed/water/fluff bedding at any time
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The system is flexible. If you notice it, nurture it.
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## Health Signs
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### ✅ Good signs
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- Staying with the herd
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- **Cud chewing** — rhythmic, relaxed, regurgitating partially digested material
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- Manure output trending normal (formed pellets)
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- Grazing fresh grass, drinking water
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- Smooth skin under fiber
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### ⚠️ Watch closely
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- Reduced manure output — isolate to monitor if needed
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- Reduced appetite (>12 hrs)
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- Crusty / thick / "elephant" skin → likely **mange / mite infestation** (treatable, ask vet)
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- Mild lameness
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### 🚨 Emergency — see [[emergency|Animal Emergency]]
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- **Self-isolation from herd** (extreme emergency sign for camelids)
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- **Colic signs** (see below)
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- **Stargazing, head tilt, neck arch, unsteady gait, leg weakness** — neurological emergency
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- Stops eating
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- No manure
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- Tooth grinding (pain, not the same as cud chewing)
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### Colic warning signs (call vet immediately)
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- Reduced/stopped eating
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- Little or no manure output
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- Repeatedly lying down and getting up
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- Restlessness, can't get comfortable
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- Tooth grinding
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- Stretched-out or hunched posture
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- Kicking at or looking at belly
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- Bloated/tight abdomen
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- No cud chewing
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- Isolation from herd
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- Weakness or depression
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## Annual / Periodic Care
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| Task | When | Notes |
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|------|------|-------|
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| **Enterotoxemia preventive** | 1×/year, beginning of Spring | 2cc subcutaneous. Last dose: **April 25, 2026** |
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| **Sel Vitaminé à l'ail** | Ongoing | Natural prevention against worms & bacterial overgrowth — see [[natural-care|Natural Care]] |
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| **Shearing (tonte)** | End June / early July | Contact: **François Meheust — 06 76 63 58 47** |
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| **Nail trimming** | White: every 3-4 months. Black: much less often | Often done at shearing. Visually apparent when needed. |
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| **Fecal exam** | Every 3-4 months | Targeted deworming based on results, not blanket treatment |
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## Notes from the Herd
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- **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.
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- Deer in the area can make alpacas nervous → loud warning sounds.
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- A camera in the stables is planned for monitoring.
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- **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.
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## Stables Setup
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- Idea: attach a hay-feeding bar to a lower spot between boxes.
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- Idea: build a 3rd wall on the stables so they can sleep inside in less hyper-alert mode.
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- Electric fence: check status before assuming on/off (was unplugged at one point).
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## Sleeping in the Stables
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If you stay overnight with the herd:
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- Bring a **mosquito net** (camping nets work).
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- Keep a **good stick** nearby for chasing predators.
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- Leave the metal gate open or closed depending on situation — coordinate with whoever else is on duty.
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## Related
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- [[emergency|🚨 Animal Emergency]]
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- [[natural-care|Natural & Preventative Care]]
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- [[first-aid-kit|First Aid Kit]]
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- [[chores|Chore Schedule]]
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content/animals/chores.md
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content/animals/chores.md
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---
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title: Animal Chore Schedule
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description: Daily and periodic chores for the animals
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tags:
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- animals
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- chores
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- schedule
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---
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# Animal Chore Schedule
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> [!important] Roles are delegated by the team
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> 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.
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## Daily
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| Time | Task | Animals |
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|------|------|---------|
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| Morning | Open poultry coop | Chickens, ducks |
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| Morning | Quick health scan, count | All |
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| **11:00 AM** | Cleaning round + water + hay check | [[alpacas\|Alpacas]] |
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| Throughout day | Egg collection | Chickens |
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| Throughout day | Refresh water as needed | All |
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| **8:00 PM** | Cleaning round + water + hay check | [[alpacas\|Alpacas]] |
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| Dusk | Close poultry coop | Chickens, ducks |
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> [!tip] Karma yoga approach
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> 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.
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## Weekly
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- Deep clean stables / coop
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- Check fences, electric fence (verify status)
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- Restock feed, hay, supplies
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- Note observations / changes in shared chat
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## Periodic (per animal)
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See:
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- [[alpacas#annual--periodic-care|Alpaca periodic care]]
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- [[horses#periodic-care|Horse periodic care]]
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- Poultry: ongoing dusting/treatment + seasonal coop deep clean
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## Coordination
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- Share updates in the group chat — who did what, when.
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- Flag anything unusual: unusual behavior, missing eggs, predator signs, fence issues.
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- If you'll miss a cleaning round, give notice so someone else can cover.
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## Related
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- [[emergency|🚨 Animal Emergency]]
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- [[natural-care|Natural & Preventative Care]]
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- [[../getting-started/daily-schedule|General Daily Schedule]]
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content/animals/emergency.md
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---
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title: Animal Emergency
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description: Emergency procedures and vet contacts for alpacas, horses, chickens, and ducks
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tags:
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- emergency
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- animals
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- veterinary
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---
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# Animal Emergency
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> [!important] On duty?
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> 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.
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> [!tip] Our care philosophy
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> 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.
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> [!danger] Call a vet immediately for any of these
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> - Severe bleeding that won't stop
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> - Difficulty breathing / open-mouth breathing
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> - Suspected fracture, severe lameness, can't stand
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> - Severe colic (rolling, thrashing, kicking belly)
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> - Animal isolated from herd + unresponsive
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> - Choke (food/object stuck, drooling, distress)
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> - Predator attack — even if no visible injury (shock kills)
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## Vet Contacts
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> [!important] Try in this order
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>
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> | Vet | Phone | Notes |
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> |-----|-------|-------|
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> | **Élodie Vétérinaire** | **06 77 74 83 67** | Primary local vet |
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> | **Clinique Vétérinaire Saintenac (Varilhes)** | **05 61 67 43 36** | Clinic, regular hours |
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> | **Vétérinaire du Chat Perché** (Saint-Girons) | **05 61 66 01 66** | Previous vet (Emilie Gusse) — has all alpaca history |
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## When You Call the Vet
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Have ready:
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- **Which animal** (Onu, Sapphi, etc. — see [[alpacas|alpaca page]])
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- **Symptoms** (specific, when they started)
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- **Vital signs** if known (heart rate, temperature, gum color)
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- **What changed** (new feed, weather, predator activity)
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- **The chateau address:** Rue Grand Rue de Bellissen, Bénac, 09000 Foix
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## Quick Symptom Reference
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> [!warning] Camelids (alpacas) hide illness
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> Alpacas are prey animals — they mask symptoms until very serious. **If something seems off, act on it.**
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### 🚨 Call vet now
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| Symptom | Possible Cause |
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|---------|---------------|
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| Not eating 24+ hrs | Colic, severe illness |
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| No manure output | Colic, blockage |
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| Lying down + getting up repeatedly | Colic |
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| Kicking at belly, hunched/stretched posture | Colic |
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| Bloated/tight abdomen | Colic, bloat |
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| Self-isolating from herd | Severe illness |
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| Gums pale, purple, or very red | Shock, circulation issue |
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| Heart rate ≥ 60 bpm (horse) and rising | Severe colic |
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| Stargazing, head tilt, unsteady gait (alpaca) | Neurological — emergency |
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| Open-mouth breathing (poultry) | Severe respiratory distress |
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| Comb/wattle blue or purple (chicken) | Oxygen / circulation crisis |
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| Limp, cold feet/bill (duck) | Shock |
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| Predator attack (any) | Shock — even with no visible wound |
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### ⚠️ Watch closely / call if not improving
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| Symptom | Action |
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|---------|--------|
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| Reduced appetite | Monitor 12-24 hrs, call if no change |
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| Reduced manure | Isolate to monitor output |
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| Mild lameness | Rest, check hoof/leg, call vet if persists |
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| Wound (small, clean) | Clean with antiseptic, monitor |
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| Ruffled feathers + lethargy | Isolate, monitor, call if worsens |
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## First Aid Before the Vet Arrives
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### General
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1. **Stay calm.** Approach slowly so you don't add stress.
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2. **Move others away** if possible — calm herd, secure the patient.
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3. **Bleeding** — apply firm direct pressure with a clean cloth.
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4. **Don't give medication** unless the vet has told you to.
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5. **Note the time** symptoms started.
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### Colic (alpaca/horse)
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- **Remove all food.**
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- **Water is OK** unless the vet says otherwise.
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- **Short, calm walking** can help with mild gas pain — stop if pain worsens.
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- **Do not give Banamine, sedatives, or any drug** without vet approval (masks symptoms).
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### Wounds
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1. Stop bleeding with direct pressure.
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2. Once bleeding controlled, rinse with clean water or saline.
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3. Apply antiseptic from the [[first-aid-kit|first aid kit]].
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4. Cover lightly with non-stick dressing.
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5. Keep flies off — wound spray or covering.
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### Predator attack
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- Even if no visible injury, animal can die of shock — **call vet**.
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- Keep animal warm and quiet, away from predator/threat.
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- Do not chase off other herd members — they reduce stress.
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### Choke (food/object stuck)
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- Remove all food and water.
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- Keep the head low if possible (helps drainage).
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- Don't try to push obstruction down — call vet.
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### Heat / cold stress
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- **Heat:** shade, water, hose down legs/belly (not back).
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- **Cold:** dry shelter, blankets if soaked, hot water bottles for poultry chicks.
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## First Aid Kit
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The **VetSet Complete Equine First Aid Kit** is in: *TBD — set location*.
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Latex-free gloves are stocked. See [[first-aid-kit|Animal First Aid Kit]] for full contents.
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## After Hours
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- If your vet doesn't answer, **try the next number on the list**.
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- For horses specifically, the **Cleveland-style rule** applies: when in doubt, call. Waiting too long with colic is fatal.
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- Document everything — photos and timestamps help the vet enormously.
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## Related
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- [[alpacas|Alpaca care]]
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- [[horses|Horse care]]
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- [[poultry|Chicken & duck care]]
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- [[first-aid-kit|First Aid Kit]]
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- [[../emergency/medical|Human Medical Emergency]]
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content/animals/first-aid-kit.md
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---
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title: Animal First Aid Kit
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description: Contents and location of the animal first aid supplies
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tags:
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- animals
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- first-aid
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- emergency
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---
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# Animal First Aid Kit
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> [!important] Location
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> **VetSet Complete Equine First Aid Kit:** *TBD — set location and update*
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> The kit is sized for horses but contents are usable across alpacas, horses, and (with care) poultry.
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## What's in the Kit (Equine First Aid Standard)
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A complete equine first aid kit typically contains:
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### Wound care
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- Antiseptic solution (chlorhexidine / Hibiscrub)
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- Saline / sterile rinse
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- Wound spray
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- Non-stick wound dressings
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- Sterile gauze pads
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- Cotton wool / cotton roll
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### Bandaging
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- Self-adhesive bandages (Vetrap / Co-Flex)
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- Stretch crepe bandages
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- Adhesive medical tape
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- Bandage scissors
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### Vital signs / diagnostics
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- Digital thermometer
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- Stethoscope (for heart rate and gut sounds)
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- Vital signs reference card
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### Tools
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- Bandage scissors
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||||||
|
- 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]]
|
||||||
93
content/animals/horses.md
Normal file
93
content/animals/horses.md
Normal file
|
|
@ -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]]
|
||||||
61
content/animals/index.md
Normal file
61
content/animals/index.md
Normal file
|
|
@ -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** |
|
||||||
114
content/animals/natural-care.md
Normal file
114
content/animals/natural-care.md
Normal file
|
|
@ -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]]
|
||||||
83
content/animals/poultry.md
Normal file
83
content/animals/poultry.md
Normal file
|
|
@ -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]]
|
||||||
|
|
@ -49,14 +49,16 @@ tags:
|
||||||
- [[power-outage|Power Outage]]
|
- [[power-outage|Power Outage]]
|
||||||
- [[water-emergency|Water Emergency]]
|
- [[water-emergency|Water Emergency]]
|
||||||
- [[severe-weather|Severe Weather]]
|
- [[severe-weather|Severe Weather]]
|
||||||
|
- [[animals/emergency|🐎 Animal Emergency]] — alpacas, horses, poultry
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
---
|
---
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
## Property Address
|
## Property Address
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
> [!info] Full Address for Emergency Services
|
> [!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*
|
||||||
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
@ -26,6 +26,9 @@ Learn the locations of:
|
||||||
- [[water|Main water shutoff]]
|
- [[water|Main water shutoff]]
|
||||||
- [[heating-system|Heating system]]
|
- [[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
|
### 3. WiFi Access
|
||||||
- SSID and password are shown on a printout in the entrance hall
|
- SSID and password are shown on a printout in the entrance hall
|
||||||
- See [[internet|Internet & Communications]]
|
- See [[internet|Internet & Communications]]
|
||||||
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ Daily upkeep follows a "karma yoga" approach — if you notice it, nurture it. S
|
||||||
### Daily Tasks
|
### Daily Tasks
|
||||||
- Collective food prep and lunch clean-up during Karma Yoga block
|
- Collective food prep and lunch clean-up during Karma Yoga block
|
||||||
- Dishes, kitchen tidying, general upkeep
|
- Dishes, kitchen tidying, general upkeep
|
||||||
|
- [[../animals/chores|Animal chores]] — alpaca cleaning at 11 AM and 8 PM, poultry coop open/close
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
### Weekly Tasks
|
### Weekly Tasks
|
||||||
- [[cleaning-party|Sunday Cleaning Party]] (10:00 AM)
|
- [[cleaning-party|Sunday Cleaning Party]] (10:00 AM)
|
||||||
|
|
|
||||||
Loading…
Add table
Add a link
Reference in a new issue