Thursday, December 5, 2013

A Cow and a Calf...

It wasn't hard to find something to go with the letter "C" tonight...

We had a cow freshen during milking time tonight.  We knew she was close, and Jenna's job was to keep an eye on her while we finished up milking.  She needed a little help, but had a healthy heifer calf around 6:30 pm.  That clean, dry bedding got a little messy with the birth, but she's doing a great job of cleaning her off...


Here she is at about thirty minutes old.  All cleaned off and in a fresh bed of clean, dry straw.  I think she's pretty...but I'm partial to black calves.  She will be #378 when she gets her jewelry...


We left the cow and calf alone for a little while, and then milked the cow and fed the calf two quarts of colostrum...the first milk.  It looks a little different than what you usually see, doesn't it?


All gone...I don't think I've ever fed a calf so young, that drank so well the first time!


Mom and baby are now settled for the night...and so are we.

Linking to Alphabe Thursday

21 comments:

  1. awww! congrats to the mama and welcome little heifer!

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  2. Congratulations on the new calf. I also got a new born calf this morning. I'm running out os place. This one is a bull so it will be sold next week. I'm looking forward to the slowing down on birthing calves. I'm worn out, lol... Great pictures by the way.
    Hugs,
    JB

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  3. Good luck little one. Brings back memories of calving. Always a busy time in the spring for range cattle.

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  4. It is such a good feeling to have a live healthy calf get up and nurse. Welcome #378.

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  5. Well done, and a nice looking calf :)

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  6. Welcome little one and Congrats to Momma.....and human family...May she bring you much joy in her journey here .....

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  7. Nice to hear about a new arrival to this world. Calf looks beautiful. First milk of cow after birth is good for us too and it will have different taste than the other milks.

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  8. Congrats to everyone!

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  9. Oh Alica I cannot wait for my first calf of the year but I do not want to bottle feed it. That sweet sticky colostrum usually ends up on me:) She is truly beautiful. Hug B

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  10. Congratulations! Glad they are both doing well.

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  11. She is a beautiful girl. I would like a black one too,. There is just something wonderful about calves.
    That colostrum is a precious as gold for calves.
    Have a wonderful day.

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  12. A beautiful new baby! I hope she grows up to be a big producer and a nice addition to your herd. I'm glad she is a good eater. Feeding calves can be a messy, challenging job.

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  13. Oh, how precious! Lovely and perfect for the letter C!

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  14. This post brought back memories of when we milked! I always think of that when we are in the midst of a winter storm like we are now. How much more complicated it is when you have dairy cows unless you have a huge barn and keep them up.....we didn't!

    The calf is a beauty; do you ever have those that don't have a clue about nursing from a bottle? I have straddled many calves tucking that bottle in and having them chew and spit out the nipple until they get a taste of the colostrum or milk.

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  15. WOW, never seen a baby fresh born before. What an experience! Congrats to Mamma Moo!

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  16. What a special Letter C post. Thanks so much for sharing the miracle of birth with the photos and commentary. It's been many years since I've attended a calf birthing. My Daddy was a rancher and we witnessed it often as children. Thanks for visiting CollectInTexas Gal for my Letter C on Crochet.
    Sue CollectInTexas Gal

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  17. Congrats! I've only seen newborn calves at the state fair. It's always a neat experience. I'm so glad that things went so well.

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  18. That calf is a total cutie...

    I bet Mama was proud to see her beautiful creation!

    Charming post for the letter "C".

    Thanks for linking.

    A+

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