2018 calves...

[Ryan]

Hope the little one is ok.

having no cow knowledge ( at all)  do you have older ones that can play nanny to orphan calves ?

[Chanda]

Hope the little one is ok.

having no cow knowledge ( at all)  do you have older ones that can play nanny to orphan calves ?

We don't, it's just easier if you are bottle feeding to keep them separate.  A pair is easier than a single, as they have each other to play with, so don't look to you as a playmate.    And, we don't keep any bottle fed calves as replacements, since they don't mature quite as nice as cow raised calves.

[Ryan]

Makes sense

[Chanda]

Makes sense

Glad it made sense.
About to head out to feed the bottle hoard.
Had to separate the last two, one wouldn't stop nursing on the other's umbilical stump, once they are dried up will probably be able to put them back together.  Calves always seem to look for something to suck, ears seem to be a prime choice.  The little calf in the other pair sucks on the bigger one's shoulder.

[Chanda]

Shayne is gone today, so I'm on calf watch.  It's chilly today, so check every couple hours.   Brought two new ones in before I even got to have lunch.   One walked in with a little encouragement, the other went on the calf sled.   I have 2-3 slots left in the barn, so hopefully Shayne is home before the barn fills up.

[Ryan]

Your barn is filling quickly !! So do they come in with their mums or are these all orphan calves ?

[Chanda]

Your barn is filling quickly !! So do they come in with their mums or are these all orphan calves ?

Nope all three are with their mom (there was another after lunch), the fewer orphans the better; it's just so cold, it helps them dry off and warm up if they spend a couple hours in the barn.

[Ryan]

Meet my neighbor

She comes up to the fence most nights to say hello. I have been watching to see if she has calved as most of her pasture mates have already done so.

Must be putting some final touches on

[dcwolcott]

Hello, pretty girl!  You know, now you have to get us pictures of the special little one she's putting those finishing touches on!!!