inyati13
Well-known member
Can someone tell me why I am going through a stretch of big calves? This morning was a miracle! Maybe Fire Sweep's prayers for me are working. If you would have told me this heifer who is on day 276 post AI would deliver a 97 pound calf on her own during the night, I would not believe you. I am weighing my calves at birth now. I am confirming that these little angels are much heavier than they look.
Of the last four calves, three have been in the 100 pound range. All are AI and were bred for calving ease with the exception of the War Party calf which was 105 pounds. One of these big calves resulted in the death of my Milestone Heifer.
I went out in the short hours of the morning and found this:
I am weighing my calves at birth. I dam near ruptured a disc weighing this one. Socks (Anne gave her that name) is very sweet but I did not know how she would react to me handling her calf. I put a pan of feed down and while she was eating I weighed the calf. I got hold of this calf and realized he was very thick and compact. When I got him and me on the scales, I lost balance and we both fell forward on the ground. I thought I strained my back. Socks came off her feed and I stepped back. She made low groans to her baby and when she was satisified all was well she went back to her feed. My second attempt was a success. 97 pounds.
This calf is a Top Hand. I wanted a smaller calf. This heifer is out of a Built Right line. She is a registered 5/8 simangus heifer. She is not as big as my other livestock. I have been suffering Heifer Anxiety for the last week. I could see she was very heavy. I think she would weigh about 1250 pounds.
Of the last four calves, three have been in the 100 pound range. All are AI and were bred for calving ease with the exception of the War Party calf which was 105 pounds. One of these big calves resulted in the death of my Milestone Heifer.
I went out in the short hours of the morning and found this:
I am weighing my calves at birth. I dam near ruptured a disc weighing this one. Socks (Anne gave her that name) is very sweet but I did not know how she would react to me handling her calf. I put a pan of feed down and while she was eating I weighed the calf. I got hold of this calf and realized he was very thick and compact. When I got him and me on the scales, I lost balance and we both fell forward on the ground. I thought I strained my back. Socks came off her feed and I stepped back. She made low groans to her baby and when she was satisified all was well she went back to her feed. My second attempt was a success. 97 pounds.
This calf is a Top Hand. I wanted a smaller calf. This heifer is out of a Built Right line. She is a registered 5/8 simangus heifer. She is not as big as my other livestock. I have been suffering Heifer Anxiety for the last week. I could see she was very heavy. I think she would weigh about 1250 pounds.