Monday, June 6, 2005

We have a new calf today

We could tell the big cow was in labor this morning.  What I didn't know (and Cliff did, but didn't think it would matter) is that the twins have been nursing both mom and auntie.  Here a new arrival was due, and someone was taking all the milk!  We had a regular rodeo getting the twins and their mom out while keeping pregnant mom inside, since she was so desperate to get out anyhow.  But finally, success!  We don't like the cows having their babies out in the big pasture because of so many deep ravines where a new calf could get lost.  If some of the newborn pictures seem far away, our two cows are very protective of their calves, and I'm scared to get too close.

It's been an eventful day, really:  My two-hour ride, some "house-blessing", a little thistle-killing, and the new calf.  Now Mandy and I will go to the cabin for an hour or two, and I'll finish my book.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Awww....what a sweet boy!!!  You're making me want a couple cows of my own... :)

~Amy

Anonymous said...

wonderful!!
~ Julie~ http://journals.aol.com/joolsinwa/randommusingsofmymind

Anonymous said...

Congratulations a BOY !!  how wonderful.

Anonymous said...

It's a boy! <g> Congrats... just curious, but since the 'twins' have been nursing off of the new mother, did they get all of the colostrum? I know with a horse it is really important they get that 'first' milk. Sometimes if the mare was losing milk and the foal hadn't nursed we would milk her and give it to the foal later because it was so important for them to get it. It's supposed to protect them from diseases and such till they build up their own immunity... But, I don't know much about cows, and it may be (probably is <g>) totally different!
http://journals.aol.com/astaryth/AdventuresofanEclecticMind

Anonymous said...

It's a boy! <g> Congrats... just curious, but since the 'twins' have been nursing off of the new mother, did they get all of the colostrum? I know with a horse it is really important they get that 'first' milk. Sometimes if the mare was losing milk and the foal hadn't nursed we would milk her and give it to the foal later because it was so important for them to get it. It's supposed to protect them from diseases and such till they build up their own immunity... But, I don't know much about cows, and it may be (probably is <g>) totally different!
http://journals.aol.com/astaryth/AdventuresofanEclecticMind

Anonymous said...

He really looks big after he stood up. Sounds as if you had an exciting day today.
Helen

Anonymous said...

He really looks big after he stood up. Sounds as if you had an exciting day today.
Helen

Anonymous said...

Wow, how graphic! LOL  I mean, I'm used to it, but I expected comments from your "city slicker" readers.  Good lookin' calf, but a bull?  Sorry.  LOL  Glad she finally had it.  I was beginning to worry.  Thought she might be "expecting" forever.

Anonymous said...

Wow!  All that wetness and slime on the babies took me back to the time I had to help my pa ...um....help PRY out a reluctant calf from the mother's um... female area.  It didn't exactly help that my dad never explained any background about the birth process beforehand.  It was very surreal to the little six-year old Russ.

Anonymous said...

It's a shame that it is a bull, but damn, that is a healthy looking little fella!