In the midst of a homestead emergency, you need to be able to “think on your feet.” Homestead emergencies? Contrary to the romantic worldview of homesteading offered on some blog sites and farm magazines, there will come a time when calamity strikes. That’s when you need to stay calm and be creative.
I have learned when this happens to not diminish the intelligence of my favorite “city-slicker” James A. (my husband). An excellent example was a recent incident of a poult’s broken leg.
We were in the Perryville Buchheit store when James invited me to visit the poultry section. When my quota of poultry is filled I avoid temptation by not checking out the chicks I can’t take home. Since he suggested it, that meant he was open for new additions! The turkey poults were calling my name, and soon two poults were settling down in their new cage at our homestead.
The poults were frightened and not calming down, so I went to move them to a smaller cage. When I picked one up, I heard a sickening snap. By the sound, I knew that its leg broke. I quickly headed for the house because I needed more than two hands to set the leg.
Setting any farm animal’s leg is tricky, but especially a turkey poult’s who was stressed from its recent move. The break was low near the ankle, and it was going to be tough to get a splint to hold. My husband’s creative idea of “thinking on his feet” quickly came into play.
He went to the shop and quickly returned with a handful of zip ties. I took one look and wanted to fuss. Then I decided to trust that his intentions were good and went with his idea. My life got much happier when I chose not always to have to have the final say!
We cleaned the leg, and I carefully aligned the bones. I watched to make sure the toes stayed pink. The poor turkey offered no resistance as it was in shock. We worked methodically and finished with a bandage of gauze covered with duct tape.
Jim suggested we leave it in the house for observation. Soon the poult was resting on a soft cushion of shavings in a dog carrier. The second poult was so upset that it was alone and we put them together. Both turkeys were a lot happier.
Francis and Tom (its tradition that one turkey must be named Tom) stayed in Jim’s “man-cave” for over a week. The zip-ties lasted several days before I had to cut them off as the leg swelled, but they did a splendid job of stabilizing the bones. I re-set the leg using customized plastic garden labels and heavy gauze bandages with red duct tape to hold it in place. I was delighted when Francis started bearing weight on the leg.
I have never been able to set a leg so successfully! I will use that idea again if needed. Once again, Jim came up with a great invention. Francis still sports a red band so I can tell them apart. Of course, Buchheit carries a line of duct tapes, zip ties, turkeys, and everything a homesteader needs to be creative. I am grateful for my partner who is not afraid to try a new idea. Hopefully, this blog will encourage you to use your ingenuity and imagination.
What’s your best invention? I would love to hear from you in the comments section. Be blessed! Ann May
