We were having a new computer system installed at work this week so my boss needed me to work Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday while the setup and training people were there. So, we were up early on Monday morning to check the cows before I had to get ready to go to my day job. At that time, we had six cows left to calve in one pen along with three that had had calves the previous day. When we checked on them there were three new calves and only one cow that showed any evidence of having calved. Triplets? Doubtful. We put the one cow with the calf she was claiming in the barn as well as another cow that seemed interested in one of the other new calves. We did another look-through for any sign that another cow had calved and there was nothing. Always they have stuff hanging out their backside or at the very least some evidence on the tail, but there was nothing on any of the others.
I had to get home and get ready for work so after breakfast M did more investigating. The second cow that we had put in had no milk so that ruled her out. M brought the remaining cows in one by one to check for milk and any evidence of calving. He left a different one in with the two calves and she let one of them nurse and the other one got a bottle. The next day we brought in another cow but she just knocked the calves around as well as the other cow so she went back out. Then a couple of days later the cow that was nursing gave birth. Imagine her surprise, poor thing. (We had a feeling that would happen). So, she's taking one for the team and trying to feed her own calf and someone else's. The list of culprits is dwindling as three of them have now calved. That leaves two, and they both look like they're still pregnant. Funny thing is, no one is talking!
We found a week-old calf dead in the cow yard so we brought the cow in, and she seems to be doing well with adopting our bottle baby. I'm glad, because I think she was beginning to think I was her mama. I don't mind feeding one for a few days but not in the long term.
Yesterday morning we found a new calf in the calving pasture that looked almost dead. We brought it in and put it in the warmer and got some colostrum down it (with great difficulty). The cow is very concerned, and the calf has perked up considerably, but it's not a very good eater so we hope it survives. We also found a sick calf so brought it in and tried to feed it and gave it some antibiotics. It's mother is being difficult so that doesn't help the situation.
Our barn was getting full so we put new straw in the shed and kicked one pair out. Another storm is predicted so we wanted to make sure we had room if needed. We had been feeling like calving was going really well considering the weather, but lately it's gone south. Thank goodness we only have about 30 of our own left to calve. We also have some that belong to a friend, but they should be later, maybe when spring finally arrives. We are both tired and crabby and need a break.....in the weather.....and maybe from each other.......definitely from the cows!
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