ny_grass
Well-known member
Hi all,
Out tonight opening a new paddock up for the cows I stumbled upon a new calf (born yesterday afternoon). I haven't yet looked him over or tagged him so I went over and started to inspect him when he stood up and bolted, top speed, to the east (the herd were all to the west), through the fence, across a road, abd into my neighbor's horse pasture. They, of course, immediately gave chase; the calf was smart enough to head north out of the pasture, into that neighbors front yard where their dog immediately took after him and chased him into the woods (the dog gave up even before the calf had left the yard). These woods are only, as the crow flies, about 50-75 yards from where the herd is but there's lots of vegetation (and a road, some hills) between them.
I had obligations that took me away from home shortly thereafter so I didn't go looking for it, hoping that it would settle down, hear his mom and get on home.
Do you think this is likely? I've come to believe that there's almost nothing dummer than a newborn calf so I'm a little concerned that he might, even only being a couple hundred yard away (I'm not sure when he stopped running), not be able to find his way home.
On a positive note: if he makes it home I've got my contestant in this year's cattle olympics. I had no idea a 24 hour old calf could run like that!
JR
Out tonight opening a new paddock up for the cows I stumbled upon a new calf (born yesterday afternoon). I haven't yet looked him over or tagged him so I went over and started to inspect him when he stood up and bolted, top speed, to the east (the herd were all to the west), through the fence, across a road, abd into my neighbor's horse pasture. They, of course, immediately gave chase; the calf was smart enough to head north out of the pasture, into that neighbors front yard where their dog immediately took after him and chased him into the woods (the dog gave up even before the calf had left the yard). These woods are only, as the crow flies, about 50-75 yards from where the herd is but there's lots of vegetation (and a road, some hills) between them.
I had obligations that took me away from home shortly thereafter so I didn't go looking for it, hoping that it would settle down, hear his mom and get on home.
Do you think this is likely? I've come to believe that there's almost nothing dummer than a newborn calf so I'm a little concerned that he might, even only being a couple hundred yard away (I'm not sure when he stopped running), not be able to find his way home.
On a positive note: if he makes it home I've got my contestant in this year's cattle olympics. I had no idea a 24 hour old calf could run like that!
JR