Skip to main content

Cows, cows, cows





Today and the past few days have centred around our herd of cows. So far there has been five calves born, the last to Emile, pictured above who was our first cow born on the farm. She's been a good mother, calm and friendly. Up to now her calves have thrived but her latest isn't doing too well. Born naturally he didn't respond like most calves, he couldn't stand up and therefore couldn't/ wouldn't feed. Farmer J stayed trying to get him upright for ages. Emily was very patient maybe knowing that he was trying to help. As he wouldn't feed we decided to leave things to nature, thinking in the morning we would have a dead calf.

The morning came and he was still alive so a trip to the vets for a check up. After a drip for fluids and a bit of medication including an injection to stop bleeding inside, he was brought back with powders to add to water with valuable nutrients and colostrum which he missed out on and a few syringes for injections. He is now able to stand and walk but not latching on to his mum, unable to suckle morning, lunch and evening fluids are being given with a bottle and large syringe, which is normally used for giving medication. Although Emilie accepts him he will not feed therefore she is getting very a full udder which farmer J has milked while she is munching on hay.

This milk has been given to another calf (no 4) whose first time mum hasn't got enough. A 25kg bag of powdered milk (for calves) was brought today so now a morning and evening bottle feed is on the cards. At least this calf is eager to feed, polishing off his bottle rather quickly and trying to suckle the other mums while they are locked down feeding. Both the mums of these two calves are shut in the hanger with them until they gain a bit of strength and making it easier to feed them.

Cleaning out was also completed but not a lot else apart from a quick dash to the supermarket while farmer J milled a batch of cereal for the pigs and cows who each have a handful in a bucket to get them into the feeders and keep them happy. Luckily we still have miss F staying to help out however she leaves tomorrow when we will be back to Darby and Joan. (on the farm)
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Snap shot

A moment from the week at La Singlarie Another steer went off on Wednesday. After spending 3 years with them it doesn't get any easier when they leave.
Post a Comment
Read more

Weeding

Potatoes A sad looking patch Hunting for carrots The weather has now gone from one extreme to the other from rain, rain and a bit more rain to hot, sunny and hotter. Time to access the veggie patch after I planted everything in one hit and then it got very damp and soggy. Well the potatoes are growing well, although they are going to be a lot later this year, kind of Earlie's for late ones and late ones maybe ready for Christmas dinner ( if they survive the bugs, rabbits and moles). The weeds have and still are growing really well, this morning was spent finding the carrots and parsnips, which I have with no help from Sorrel, who after a quick sniff lazed under the shade of the apple tree (which by the looks of it hasn't got hardly any apples on it?) The poor herb seeds sowed don't look to good or the french and runner beans, think a hungry mouse have nibbled on them so I will have to resow (once I have weeded -again)
Post a Comment
Read more

A problematic Ewe

While Master C and Miss F were here over the weekend we took the opportunity for their help in moving the two ewes, Gorgon and Thumberlina to the field where the donkeys had been. What with all the rain we have had lately the grass grow super quick. The only problem was Miss Fatty did not want to move from her safe field (if only she knew she was moving to new lush grass). It took farmer J and Master C to try moving her after pushing from me and Master C had failed and she fell to the floor not moving an inch. There try also failed so they were both lead through the field in another direction. Of course once in the new field there was no looking back. Gorgon on the other hand was a breeze to move, as long as you have food he will follow, you just need to make sure you have enough food!
Post a Comment
Read more