Livestock Update

The bull and yearling bull calves were moved into the pasture next to the chickens.  They behaved for one day before one calf decided to walk through the flimsy plastic fencing that we placed around a section of the pasture for expanded chicken grazing.  Evidently, this calf decided that it wanted the pasture the chickens had.  The chickens are not happy with that calf, but are too small to take him on; their only option is to squawk loudly. Glenn and I will remedy the situation soon.

The cows continue birthing, as our norm, on a consistent basis.  Today’s count - 13 calves.

The ewes continue to lamb.  The most updated count, and this is in no way 100% accurate, stands at 80 +/-.

There are more calves and lambs to come.

We are currently bottle-feeding two lambs.

The orphan lamb, named Junior by Glenn, is doing better every day.  She has really found her appetite.  Her tail whirls fiercely during feeding; like a pinwheel turning in a hard wind.  A sure sign Junior is indeed happy and satisfied.

Junior spends her days outside, in the small pen, also next to the chicken house; Buddy wanders by throughout the day to take a peek.  Both Junior and Buddy are black and white in color, so perhaps, Buddy sees a commonality with this little lamb.  At night, Junior was residing in my small garden shed mostly for protection from unforeseen predators and from the cold nights which we are still experiencing.  Now, the barn stall has become the nursery. Why?  Well, a second lamb was added to the feeding schedule. This second lamb was rejected by his mother, one of two lambs born to this particular ewe. Evidently, mama ewe only wanted to care for one baby, not two.

PorkChop (left) and Junior (right) jumping

 Both Junior and PorkChop (initially called LambChop until she started to drink like a little piglet and her name just naturally amended to link to her habits) are doing great.  Yesterday, they graduated from four feeding a day to three.  We were thinking that our extra work was decreasing; then, we had to deal with an abandoned calf. 

'Hey PorkChop...What are those strange creatures?'

This calf seemed to be the product of a twin birth. Most cow births yield a single calf.  Cows can handle two calves nicely, if that is their intent.  It seems like this little one’s mama; also, only wanted to care for one baby.  The old buckets with nipple fittings were dusted off.  The last time they were used was when our kids participated in the local 4-H Bucket Calf Club.  The kids were teeny tikes themselves, and so cute not only rearing a baby Holstein calf, but showing it in the ring.  I remember those days fondly.

This calf was a dream; immediately began to suck at the bucket nipple, no learning curve required. She walked about the yard without distress; her hoofs, shiny and polished like the black keys on a piano and her nose feeling like soft, fine leather. This is a strong heifer. 

Our schedule immediately changed.  So much for planting the onions; we had to feed the babies…the plus is that we finally received some much needed precipitation (we were experiencing an early spring drought) which was beneficial to the peas, lettuce, radishes, and spinach seeds already planted in the soil. Additional veggies will be added as time and weather permits.

Unfortunately, the calf did not survive the night. 

Ohhhh….the ups and downs, ups and downs…of farm life.