30 Days to Better Preparedness. Day 18. Animals.
Are you still with me! We are really getting somewhere now!
Today we are going to think about having back up supplies for our animals. I keep a pantry that fills a wall in the laundry just for animal supplies. This has been one of the best things I ever did!
I keep spare dry dog food for Scout. It is sealed in tubs. This is emergency food.
I have dry milk formula for goats, lambs (this can be used for puppies also.)
Milk for calves.
Various bottles and teats. I buy teats every year as they tend to perish over time.
Measuring jugs.
Slippery Elm powder. This cures scours.
Printed instructions on how to mix up formulas and amounts etc.
Collars and leads. I buy leather belts. These can be cut and holes added to fit any thing from a lamb to a cow.
I have dog shampoo and a stack of old towels, blankets and bedding.
We have birds so I have back up bird seeds.
I try to keep ahead with chicken feed. If that was unavailable we could last a pretty long time with free ranging and household scraps.
I have collected animal husbandry books. I have had some experiences now where I had to learn how to give a cow an injection. I had to learn how to tube feed a calf. I now keep tubing and a funnel. I saved a calf this way but it was a confronting experience!
Our human medical cabinet is sometimes used for animals. I had a lamb with an injury and I used antiseptic and the same things we use.
I have a folder of into like vaccinations, worming and any medical records.
Currently my animals sit at 5 cows, 8 sheep, 1 dog, 2 parrots, 2 budgies, 33 hens, 5 roosters, 4 ducks, 1 goat, 2 mini goat kids, 3 bantams. I think that is it. For now. 😊
I met a farmer the other day. He has a lot of sheep. I said to him "I guess you have too big an operation to worry about orphan lambs. (Pause...) I take them, just saying... " And he said "They are yours!!!"
Just like that!! Ask and you shall receive! So goodness knows how many lambs I might get in lambing season! I will be ready!
We all need to consider our animals and be prepared for them as well as our family. Add some extra supplies to your shopping list. Think of creative ways to supply what you need. I am planting a lot of sunflowers right now. These will help feed the cockatoos and the chooks. We are surrounded by wild grasses that I can pick for the smaller parrots. Scout gets a fair few eggs. They are very good for dogs. She knows what is inside an egg and helps "collect" them but I say "Scout put that egg down!" and she does! There is food everywhere if you keep your eyes open! xxx
You are extremely well prepared for your family of animals! We buy feed from the farmers co-op by the sack or pallet load, preferably when it is on sale! We have a very good relationship with our local vet (a neighbouring farmer) but I do have a fascinating vintage book of animal care for the everyday farmer too. I keep a supply of worming pills in for the cats, and dose them quarterly.
ReplyDeleteThank you Gill. Animals feed has also gone up a lot in price here, especially grains. So getting on good deals is a big help! xxx
DeleteDear Annabel, This is a great list. I didn't know about slippery elm. I am going to write that down for future reference. I try to stay ahead with food for our animals too. We asked a farmer friend for surplus grain, payment of beer. Then we were worried how to store it away from mice and pests but another friend works at a factory and we were able to get six 40 4 drums that have sealable tops so we should be right for grain for a long time. I have already felt very grateful about that because with lockdowns I've not had to go out for pet food. Love Clare
ReplyDeleteHi Clare,
DeleteSlippery Elm is highly nutritious. It is excellent for humans with IBS, diarrhea, or Diverticulitus. It soothes and calms an inflammed digestive tract. It is most beneficial taken as a tea or tincture.
Have a wonderful day,
Glenda
Still here reading and learning! Thankfully, another topic that I can say I have done a lot of preparing. Last year, I decided that animal related shortages were more likely so went through Lucy’s supplies and got extra. Like you, I put her dog food in plastic buckets (with gamma lids) so have a good supply as well as stocking extra meds and cleaning supplies. Thank you for the update on your animals, wow, lots of mouths to feed and photos to take ;)
ReplyDeleteI am glad you are good on this. We have to consider everyones needs on the homestead. xxx
DeleteI know that pantry has served you very well over the years on the farm! I love the story of you asking for the sick lambs!
ReplyDeleteWe don't have any animals here because some of our family is so allergic they would not be able to visit us. Our closest friends often bring their little dog when they visit us for coffee and we love having him here. So we always say that we love other people's dogs!
Lana I felt quite cheeky to mention orphan lambs to the man but boy am I glad I did! xx
DeleteScout is such a good dog. That is one thing I would like to add to our family. I don't know the first thing about training one so I am hesitant. Maybe we should visit the humane shelter? Annabel, you are well-fixed for animals and supplies, too. We only have a small flock of hens and one amazing rooster plus our cat. Our cat is older and has not proved very dependable as a mouser but we love him anyway. Thinking about adding a new kitty, too. We have been storing extra chicken feed in big metal trash cans with lids. It's time to change to 5 gallon buckets since we aren't able to handle the 50 lb. bags anymore. As we age we look for easier ways of doing things. It's time for me to replenish the cat food pantry. He eats like a horse! We have several animal care/vet books in our home library. Hard copies are a good thing just in case.
ReplyDeleteDear Pam,
DeleteTake a little while to read up a bit on dog training. And consider the right kind of dog and size for you. I think a dog is an amazing addition and the best of all security measures all in one. I would try to get a pup to train as you wish or else an older dog who is quiet and needs a quite loving home. The best advice I ever got when I started with Scout was do not give them the opportunity to start bad habits. They are totally focused on trying to please and all dogs need a job to do. They need to be in charge of something. Then they will do it with all their heart! I am all for looking for easier ways too! With love Annabel.xxx
Keeping up each day, but had to chime in on this one. I definitely have this one covered. I always have had an extra supply of dog and kitty food. My vet also has given me a back up supply of meds in case I can't get there for some reason. I've learned a lot over the years including saving two three week old kittens. Yep, all animals know that eggs are a wonderful treat. Our dog used to cry for them.
ReplyDeleteI also have a detailed binder of vaccinations, medications, etc. Love your amount of animals, heaven on earth.
Blessings, Laura
Dear Laura,
DeleteVery good idea on the back up meds. Also on the binder. I need to do a binder, thank you. Love Annabel.xxx
I love your funny pictures with your cute animals. They are many! I am still here reading and preparing everyday day, although not commenting - I got back to work from 8 to 5. I prepare ahead with animals food and medications I am utterly scared of the ideea of not being able to feed them or help them when needed. I also have an envelope (among others with savings) where I put money in weekly for my fur babies. They are my best friends. Dear Annabel, keep comming with your wisdom and we keep learning. Thank you and have a nice spring time. Laura_s_world
ReplyDeleteDear Laura, Thank you for commenting. When you see a good deal just try and get ahead as you can. Little bits add up! With love Annabel.xxx
DeleteOnly two small dogs here, so not the animal concerns many of you have. I always try to be a 40 lb. sack of food ahead (always use oldest bag first) and I have a dog first-aid book and a few supplies.
ReplyDeleteThis seems a good time to tell your readers how to make a dog vomit, which is very useful if the dog gets into the chocolate or something else that is toxic to dogs. And the answer is--3% hydrogen peroxide! Give the dog 1 ml. of peroxide per pound of body weight. A teaspoon is approx. 5 ml., or enough for a 5 lb. dog. Do not exceed 45 ml. regardless of dog's size. I would give my 20 lb. Westies 4 teaspoons--in fact, I have, and it worked. Do the math now, figure out how much you would need to give your dog, and write it on the cover of your dog first aid book.
A couple of tips we figured out on our own. We use one of those plastic medicine spoons with a hollow handle, such as you'd use to give liquid meds to an infant or small child. Also, we put the dog in the bathtub when we do this, for easier cleanup.
Dear Maxine, Thank you for that information and I keep Hydrogen Peroxide in my medical cabinet.
DeleteYou are well organised. I am worried about Scout with snakes. This is my biggest worry with her. We do our best to be prepared. With love Annabel.xxx
I need to buy a dog and cat first aid book! Would someone be willing to recommend one they use please? I did an online search and so many choices...which one would be best? I have extra food for my dogs and cats but have been noticing that the pet food aisles have been sparse at the grocery store. My grocery store also put up a sign limiting purchase of 2 containers of kitty litter per customer. I have been trying to keep a little backup supply of kitty litter. I also have pet carriers for each of my cats, plenty of old towels, blankets, beds, leashes and trying to build up a little extra supply of pet meds for 1 cat and 1 dog. I also need to buy a pet first aid kit or put one together.
ReplyDeleteMidori, I think ANY first aid book is better than none. I've just had a little pamphlet/booklet for about 30 years and it has helped several times (dogs will eat ANYTHING, LOL). This is the new book I ordered online: The First Aid Companion for Dogs and Cats. It hasn't arrived yet, so I really can't recommend it, but a friend says it is good. If you really want to choose the book yourself, I would guess any big pet store (Petco, Pet Smart, etc.) would have several you could peruse. As for supplies, I think you would probably have most of what you would need in your human first aid kit. The exception might be a hollow handle medicine spoon. I got mine free at the pharmacy just by asking (they give them away with pediatric liquid meds). Be sure you have some of that gauze sticks to itself and doesn't require tape.
DeleteAnnabel, I've been to Australia, and I'd be worried about snakes, too! If you research this, you might learn more about which poisonous snakes affect dogs. Not all of them do! Rattlesnakes in the US do not normally kill dogs, although if I knew my dog had been bitten, I'd definitely take it to the vet...just to be sure.
Thank you Maxine for replying with the book title you ordered and brilliant suggestion! I hadn't thought of checking Petco or Petsmart for a pet First Aid book - so obvious now thinking about it! It's been difficult to get vet appointments - a 2 month wait for annual exams and vaccinations with my vet's office now when previously it was 2 - 3 days! And I will ask for a hollow handle medicine spoon when I pick up my dog's prescription refill at the pharmacy this week. Yes, I am nearly out of the gauze that sticks to itself - will add it to my list.
DeleteThank you Maxine for replying with the book title you ordered and brilliant suggestion! I hadn't thought of checking Petco or Petsmart for a First Aid book - so obvious now thinking about it! It's been difficult to get vet appointments - a 2 month wait for annual exams and vaccinations with my vet now when previously it was 2 - 3 days! And I will ask for a hollow handle medicine spoon when I pick up my dog's prescription refill at the pharmacy this week.
ReplyDelete