Calving 2007

Rob R · Post by **Rob R** » Sun Jul 15, 2007 4:16 pm

We are just over half way through calving this year, and so far five our of five have been bulls, keeping our long tradition of a 75/25 sex ratio going.

Broomcroft · Post by **Broomcroft** » Sun Jul 15, 2007 4:49 pm

That's one big teat Rob. I've got a cow that does that with just the two front teats (that reminds me of a song!) and then it's gone within a day or two of calving but I have to milk it first otherwise the calf seems to think it's something they're not supposed to suck on! Or that's what I think anyway.

Rob R · Post by **Rob R** » Sun Jul 15, 2007 5:11 pm

It seems to get worse with age but it certainly looks a mouthful for a little calf :D We do the same.

Rob R · Post by **Rob R** » Wed Jul 25, 2007 4:18 pm

Some more girls to join the herd now (3 out of 8):

Rosemary;

& Sage (and Pansy, her red mother);

wagra dexters · Post by **wagra dexters** » Thu Jul 26, 2007 4:09 am

Great pleasure, looking at your lovely photos, Rob. Two weeks to the first of our 20 Spring calves. If I can't work the photo business out by then, I may just take you up on your generous offer to post them.
Haven't really given it a good shot, end of year financials getting into my head space.

Rob R · Post by **Rob R** » Thu Jul 26, 2007 6:37 pm

The mud on the back of Rosemary is an indication of the conditions we are facing here- and it is supposed to be summer! Luckily though we've only had one calf with hypothermia due to the wet & cold, but he perked up quickly when he got dried off & a belly full of colostrum. The grass though, as you can see in the other photo, is laid & rotting in the waterlogged conditions, but hopefully August will be a drier month.

bjreroberts · Post by **bjreroberts** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 12:54 pm

Hi All,

I have been just joined the forum having browsed through the postings for the last 6 months.

Rob R then encourage me to join when I posted photos of my new heifer calf on the River Cottage forum. Here is a link to the photos

Code: Select all

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=9734&l=c1b18&id=672501531

.

With the calf now 1 week old how soon can I let her and mother join my two steers? They are in the same field but I separated them from the mother a few days before she gave birth with an electric fence.[/color]

Jo Kemp · Post by **Jo Kemp** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 4:07 pm

All the herd will be interested in the new arrival and once the calf is up and running, knows who is his/her Mum and where the bar is there should be no problem with putting the steers with mother and child.
Mum will let them know if they are being a bit too much!
Isn't it a wonderful time?
Jo

Inger · Post by **Inger** » Sun Aug 12, 2007 1:33 pm

At a week old, he should be fine. As Jo says, his mum will make sure the steers don't get over enthusiastic.

bjreroberts · Post by **bjreroberts** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 12:31 pm

Thank you all for the advice. It certainly is a wonderful time, I enjoy it but also find it quite stressful.

Like all of these things the books are no replacement for practical experience:
- suckling, the books say they must suckle within 2 hours; advice from local farmers no need to worry for up to 6 hours.
- the navel, the books all get you paranoid about navel ill / hernias. The advice which was not covered in the books was a bit of skin hanging down is normal.
- tagging, this went very smoothly but I was not prepared for the guilt I would feel!

She seems OK in with the steers and runs off if she gets too much unwanted attention. I was a bit concerned when I saw the youngest steer launch himself and land on top of her, but she was unharmed.

Rob R · Post by **Rob R** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 10:44 am

Our latest, and last for this season, Rosewood Thyme...

The only one I actually saw being born this time

Inger · Post by **Inger** » Wed Aug 29, 2007 7:24 am

What a beautiful baby little Thyme is Rob. :D

Inger · Post by **Inger** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 4:41 am

Our first calf arrived on Friday. A Grade 4 (purebred for us). Unfortunately it was a bull calf. I am only expecting 2 more Grade 4 calves this year, so I hope the other two first calvers have heifers.

Inger · Post by **Inger** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 12:02 am

We're now up to 5 bull calves, no heifer calves and we're just over half way through calving. Looks like we're following your example Rob. ???

Rob R · Post by **Rob R** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 9:59 pm

The calves seem to be growing well this time, while the cows aren't in such good condition- then I remember that we've changed calving season so they shouldn't be :D

Looking good so far, and still on fresh lush grass- everyone else around are using ring feeders now.