And We're Off....

[randiliana]

So far we have 6 calves, but looks like 3 more are on the way for today, for sure.... Had one really big one last night out of a cow (125 lbs) the rest have all been under 90 lbs. Had to give the big one a little help (just to get the hips out, wasn't much of a pull). And the big one was a heifer calf....go figure....First heifer is on deck for today...crossing the fingers that the heifers all calve out well... I'll post some photos later

 

[torogmc81]

Good luck and look forward to the pics! I sure hope I never see a 125# calf, dang. That's great she's alive and was an easy pull!!

 

[Nesikep]

My first was a 112 lb heifer calf,.. found standing by momma at 10pm, and at 7 there was no sign of calving. I had to help on a first timer last night, 85 lb heifer calf.. Momma hasn't quite figured out her duties yet, but she stands very well for the calf, so she'll get the hang of it no doubt. I have 4 so far

Hope they all go well for you!

 

[randiliana]

Good luck and look forward to the pics! I sure hope I never see a 125# calf, dang. That's great she's alive and was an easy pull!!

One of the liveliest calves we've had born too. Was trying to get up before mama had had it... I was surprised, mama usually doesn't have calves quite that big (98 lb average), early in the calving season (2 days in) and a heifer calf to boot...

 

[randiliana]

Where is he??

First Calf Heifer

Couple days old

Little Bull calf

Worth her weight in.....Silver??

Mommy! They scared me!

Daughter's 4H cow and calf

mmmmm-mmmm Milk

Follow me!

In Mama's Shadow

 

[Supa Dexta]

Your button tags looks quite thick compared to the ones I have. I wonder what the difference is. Might be just the picture.

 

[strihafarms]

Those little red brockel faced calves sure are cute.

 

[randiliana]

Your button tags looks quite thick compared to the ones I have. I wonder what the difference is. Might be just the picture.

They are the last of the Allflex tags that I had. They are a bit thicker than the Ketchum tags, don't know about the others though.

 

[randiliana]

Those little red brockel faced calves sure are cute.

The Shorthorn influence makes for some really neat brockle face markings.

 

[Deepsouth]

Nice picturws and cows. I like that heifer in the 2nd picture.

 

[Nesikep]

The Allflex buttons just got thicker last year, and the Ztags are really thick too.. I don't know why.. the thinner ones worked just fine
I've been putting the button on top of the tag, on the same pin, and it worked really well for us, but with these thicker buttons I don't know if I still can.

 

[Kingfisher]

What are those little yellow buttons in their ears?

 

[Nesikep]

Er, no, the Z tag buttons are thinner.. they might work well for me and my method..

They're RFID buttons.. kinda like keyfobs.. required for any animals sold in canada

 

[randiliana]

Animal traceability. Required to sell or move any cattle in Canada. They have a little radio chip in them with a unique identifier # that is linked to each producer. That way if there are any health problems (read Mad Cow) they can trace the animal back to it's owner...

 

[randiliana]

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10 ... 7671028973

Here is our little preemie. 2 days old, and his first few steps. The white calf weighs about 70 lbs, preemie is 32 lbs. Small but mighty, he is a fighter. He needs the blanket, temps are pretty nice, but his hair is so short and his internal thermostat just can't keep him warm enough! He eats about 1 1/2-2 cups of milk at a time...It will be a bit of time before he can reach mama holstien's udder though!

 

[randiliana]

So calving is coming along. We are 4 days in with about 20 calves. Most are doing quite well, but there have been a few issues. 1 weak calf that we had to bring in this morning, born yesterday, but wasn't sucking, or at least not enough. Didn't seem to figure out to get it's head low enough to get the teat. Pretty sure she got colostrum, but then seemed to forget where it came from. Spent a few minutes with the cow in the chute, milked her into a bottle and fed the calf a bit and things were uphill from there. Mama has a pretty good udder too!

Success, now we will see if she remembers how to do it. Mama was pretty co-operative for an ornery cow!

A few days ago we assisted a big tan cow with a tiny little 70 lb calf. She just never settled down to have the calf. She also had an attitude and an udderley (pardon the pun) horrible udder! Cull cow sale next Friday, she is making a trip to town. Picked up a milk cow the day before, she loves her new baby, so all is good with that! Then last night we ended up pulling a calf out of a cow. Upside down, first and hopefully last one of the year! Wasn't a huge calf either. But it was lively and things were ok in the end.