The Two Hours That Cost a Life: A Lesson From the Farm

May 31, 2026

Livestock Is a Blessing, But It Demands Commitment

Over the past few weeks, I have come to appreciate something many people underestimate: raising livestock, especially young animals, is both a blessing and a responsibility.

Baby chickens, ducklings, poults, and other young livestock are fragile. They depend entirely on their caretaker for food, water, warmth, safety, and comfort. Unlike mature animals, they cannot easily adapt when something goes wrong.

At CSD BioSphere Farm, where we raise poultry and other animals, every day follows a routine designed to keep the animals healthy and comfortable. We also have our night-watch cat, Sasi, who helps maintain security and keeps the rat population under control.

This week reminded me just how important those daily routines truly are.

Managing a Farm While Sick

Three days ago, I fell ill.

It started with a painful headache, cold symptoms, frequent sneezing, and a completely blocked left nostril. Like many livestock keepers, I could not simply stop working because I was sick. The animals still needed care.

Despite my condition, I continued managing the farm. I ensured that fresh water was always available and maintained proper hygiene throughout the facility. As part of our preventive care practices, I also provided small and reasonable amounts of garlic and onion in the animals' feed to help support their health during the cold season.

I was taking medication, including DONCOLD Capsules, which helped improve my symptoms but also caused drowsiness.

Unfortunately, I am not only a livestock keeper—I am also a programmer. Years of late-night coding have conditioned me to function on limited sleep. Even while taking medication, I struggled to get the deep rest my body needed.

As a result, my headache persisted longer than expected.

Asking for Help

By the evening of May 30th, I realized I needed proper rest.

I asked my friend and colleague, Musa Muhammad, to manage the farm during the morning of May 31st. Before leaving, I carefully demonstrated the feeding ratios, watering procedures, and the standard morning routines we follow at BioSphere.

Musa is an experienced livestock farmer, although his expertise focuses more on ruminant animals such as sheep, goats, and cattle.

Knowing the farm was in capable hands allowed me to finally rest.

That night, I enjoyed one of the deepest sleeps I had experienced in days.

Around 2:00 PM, I woke feeling significantly better. I took a bath, wore light clothing, drank plenty of water, and spent some quiet time allowing my body to recover completely.

By 5:00 PM, I returned to BioSphere Farm to resume my duties.

Something Was Wrong

The moment I arrived, I noticed something unusual.

The animals appeared uncomfortable.

At first glance, there was no obvious problem. Feed was available. Water was available. The pens were generally in order.

Musa had done exactly what I asked him to do.

Yet the animals were telling a different story.

Good livestock management requires observation. Sometimes the animals communicate problems before the environment does.

I dropped my bag in the office and immediately began inspecting the facility.

The Nursery Section

My first stop was the nursery section, where we keep poultry under three weeks old.

These animals require special care because they are still developing and are highly sensitive to environmental changes.

During my inspection, I discovered:

• One dead chick from the X3 group.
• Two unconscious chicks requiring emergency assistance.
• Several other chicks showing signs of weakness and drowsiness.
• Two young turkey poults displaying similar symptoms.

The sight was heartbreaking.

I immediately removed the dead chick and practiced proper hygiene before attending to the others.

I prepared an emergency support mixture containing:

• Clean water
• Honey
• Glucose

Each affected bird received assistance.

Fresh drinking water was provided immediately, along with fresh pellet feed.

Within a short time, most of the birds responded positively and regained activity.

Only one chick from the X3 group remained in poor condition, so I moved it into quarantine for closer observation and special care.

The Missing Two Hours

Next, I checked on our six ducklings.

Normally, by evening, they would be active, running around, exploring, and playing.

Instead, they appeared tired and less energetic than usual.

That was when the cause became clear.

Every day, between approximately 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM, the sun reaches peak intensity. During this period, temperatures around the farm can rise to 39–40°C.

As part of my normal routine, I move the young animals, along with their feed and water, into a shaded area containing small plants and moist ground. This location remains significantly cooler and more comfortable.

It is a simple routine.

It takes only a few minutes.

Yet on this particular day, that routine was missed.

The animals had food.

The animals had water.

But they lacked protection from the most intense heat of the day.

Those missing two hours were enough to place severe stress on some of the youngest and most vulnerable animals in the farm.

The result was the loss of one chick and another requiring intensive care.

Lessons Learned

This experience taught me several valuable lessons.

1. Livestock Depends on Consistency

Animals thrive when routines are followed consistently.

What may seem like a small task to a caretaker can be critically important to the animals.

2. Water Alone Is Not Enough

Many farmers focus on feed and water, but environmental comfort is equally important.

Shade, ventilation, and temperature management can mean the difference between healthy animals and stressed animals.

3. Young Animals Require Extra Attention

Baby poultry are far more sensitive than many larger livestock species.

A goat may tolerate conditions that could seriously affect a young chick or duckling.

4. Every Farmer Needs Backup Support

Illness can happen unexpectedly.

Having trusted people who understand your farm's routines is essential.

Delegating tasks is not enough—critical details must also be communicated clearly.

5. Observation Is a Farmer's Greatest Tool

Before problems become obvious, animals often show subtle signs of discomfort.

Careful observation allows farmers to identify and solve issues before they become disasters.

Final Thoughts

Today was a painful reminder that livestock farming is more than feeding animals and filling water containers.

It is about understanding their needs, observing their behavior, and respecting the small daily routines that protect their health.

The loss of a single animal may seem insignificant to some people. To a livestock keeper, however, every life matters.

As I finished my rounds this evening at CSD BioSphere Farm, I felt grateful for the animals that recovered, thankful for the help of my friend Musa Muhammad, and reminded that even a short interruption in routine can have serious consequences.

Livestock is indeed a blessing.

But every blessing comes with responsibility.