We had our first calf born on Friday! This cow actually wasn’t due until 1/22, based on her artificial insemination breeding date, but the calf is happy, so we’re not complaining!
I could swear that I blogged about doing AI on 15 cows at midnight once, but I can’t find that post for the life of me. I’ll just have to try again this year.
Anyway. New babies! We leave our Angus cows to have their babies (calve) outside in their pasture, as long as their are no problems. Once the calves are born, we bring them inside for a few days, especially when it’s cold and rainy. The newborn kiddos (and their moms) appreciate the clean, dry barn.
While John was setting up the gates so we could move the momma cow, I set up their new bed. If there’s one farm chore I know how to do, it’s make fluffy beds for babies!
Um, that’s animal babies. Specifically, large animal babies. You know, like horse and cow babies.
Right.
So, we got our scale set up to weigh the little rug rat (and tested it out on John).
We checked to see if baby is a boy or a girl (girl, heifer), and to make sure her umbilicus (belly button) looked good (it did), and we weighed the monster (60 pounds). Then she got ear tags before we gave her back to momma.
Feisty little thing! She threw me to the ground at one point! I am out of practice wrestling with 60 pound calves. But we like them feisty – means they’re healthy!
And I’ll have a lot of practice… we had our second calf on Saturday (61 pound heifer), have four more due on 1/22, and 3 more about a month later!
Babies are way fun and super cute. Animal babies. Cow babies. Adorable.
So glad you specified in that first sentence!! Oh well, maybe you and John will have a human baby soon too! They are lots of fun too! If you don't believe me, you can have Ciara for a day...or maybe we should come visit the baby cows...and "baby dog", as she calls it.
ReplyDeleteHaha! You are too funny. :)
ReplyDeleteCarla - You can visit any time you want. Just take Ciara home with you!
ReplyDeleteDani - So much pregnancy in the blogosphere (ahem!) I apparently need to be more specific in my titles. :)
Looking good and healthy!
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Cute! I love calving makes me excited for ours which won't calve till March!
ReplyDeleteNothing like a baby calf. I wish all the folks could enjoy what it is like to be around a baby calf. They are as playful as a puppy dog. We are not due until Feb.
ReplyDeleteOur baby weighs 49 pounds, and she is six years old! Be careful out there. Miss seeing the calves and mommas. We get the calves right after weaning, and they are not too happy for the first couple days AND nights!
ReplyDeleteCongrats and here's to many more healthy "little ones."
Love spring time when all the baby animals are born. Or in this case winter. the lambing or calving barn is always my favorite place to be. Hope you have a successful calving season!!!
ReplyDeleteThe first calf of the year is always exciting. Looks like she is going to be a good one. I love it when there eartags are all new are bright white. They always look so big on them at first!
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