Great news - our very first calf!

Paddy · Post by **Paddy** » Sun May 07, 2006 10:42 am

I just had to tell you all. Our very first calf was born yesterday - a lovely, healthy, non-short, black, polled bull. Mum did it all as per textbook except for dropping him face-first into a spring! Hence, he is called Cotna Spring.

I am sure that my excitement is that of a new cattle owner but I must say, I felt honoured to be able to watch the birth (not to mention lift him out of the spring)

Regards to all.

Paddy

moomin · Post by **moomin** » Sun May 07, 2006 11:11 am

Congratulations Paddy. It is not just about being a new owner. No matter how many calves you see born you will never get over the wonder of it. It is a time to stop and stare.

carole · Post by **carole** » Sun May 07, 2006 3:38 pm

Great news Paddy
we are waiting for the first of four due anyday now
Carole

Issy · Post by **Issy** » Sun May 07, 2006 7:41 pm

Congratulations Paddy, we also are waiting for our first to arive mid june.

Inger · Post by **Inger** » Tue May 09, 2006 12:30 am

I'm with Moomin, you never stop enjoying the arrival of a new calf. No matter how many you get each year. They're each a possiblity of producing an extra nice animal and the anticipation of finding out if its a male or female, short or long legged, polled or horned. Or even what colour will this one turn out to be? I love the excitement of calving season. :D

Duncan MacIntyre · Post by **Duncan MacIntyre** » Tue May 09, 2006 1:08 am

I couldn't agree more, the process of birth is a wonder. with the unborn surviving via the umbilical cord changing almost instantaneously to an air breathing free individual. Even as a professional attending many births, most of them complicated, the wonder of the successful ones never ceases, and they are the vast majority.

Duncan

The Whitfield Herd · Post by **The Whitfield Herd** » Tue May 09, 2006 8:34 am

Congratulations, Paddy :;):

But, how do you know that its polled, if its only just been born?

hazel clarke · Post by **hazel clarke** » Tue May 09, 2006 11:07 am

Congrats, Paddy
Re "Polled"
Sometimes it can be the shape of the head, but don't be fooled and keep on checking! I think you can be fairly sure by the time the little one is about three weeks old. However should it be polled at least you have one less "job" to do.
Regards
Hazel

Sue E · Post by **Sue E** » Wed May 10, 2006 8:32 pm

Congratulation Paddy. Isn't is exciting, I had my first calf born a month ago, text book like yours which was lucky as the cow was terribly protective and would have killed anyone daring to go near. Fortunately she is now settling down although she will never be a friendly type like the others I have. The one due to calve any day is of a very friendly nature so I hope all will go well with her. She is huge and I am starting to panic in case she has one big calf in there!

Martin · Post by **Martin** » Thu May 11, 2006 8:24 am

Don't worry too much Sue, my last to calve this year was a two year old heifer and all sorts was going through my mind as she was so big. But come the time she just shelled it out as if she had done it all before, and the calf was not big at all. The only problem was that she would rather try to lick it half to death than let it feed. Mum and nice heifer calf doing well, my first year at calving maiden heifers and both acted like there was nothing to it. Next year two more maidens, I hope they are as easy.

groubearfarm · Post by **groubearfarm** » Sat May 13, 2006 10:03 pm

When the excitement of the birth of a calf is no longer there then I will give up breeding. I love the fact that my friends who have been breeding for many more years than I, still phone to tell me about their new born creatures. Last week my oldest lady (fourteen next month) shouted for me to make her a clean bed, and within five minutes of me making it she produced her offspring, only trouble is this is her fifth bull calf in five years and I told her it really wasn't good enough!! Fortunately she likes an audience I was honoured to watch her produce in the field last year. I have made threats if she doesn't produce a heifer next year I wont be around to watch!! Can't wait for the next one. Fiona

John C · Post by **John C** » Sun May 14, 2006 7:54 am

Paddy! Is he for eats or for keeps ? What do you reckon your plans for him are going to be ?

Inger · Post by **Inger** » Sun May 14, 2006 10:26 am

Martin, I've had the same thing with a couple of our first-time heifers. They're so busy licking and examining their new calves, that they don't realise they meant to stand still and let the poor thing drink. Fortunately the calves are persistent and once they've managed to get their first feed, its fun watching them trying out their wobbly legs with a little skip. :D Isn't it amazing how no one needs to teach a calf (or lamb for that matter) how to be exuberant. They just skip, hop and run for the pure enjoyment of it. I love watching a group of young calves racing at dusk, acting like mad things.

Its really funny watching first-time mums chasing after their calves with worried moos, concerned that their baby is running away from them and might come to harm. :laugh: The older mums know better and just keep on eating, only paying attention if their calf yells for them. By 6 months of age, even when their calf calls for them, they may choose not to answer. Animals are fascinating aren't they. :D

Paddy · Post by **Paddy** » Mon May 15, 2006 8:00 pm

John

He is for eats, although (after having already ringed him) he is a very good looking chap and if it wasn't for the herd inter-relationships I would have been very happy to keep him.

Still sure he is polled!

Paddy

John C · Post by **John C** » Mon May 15, 2006 8:56 pm

Our boy is off to the slaughterhouse in September . He will be the first cow that I've ever had to wave off .
Now heres a bit of an admission . I've killed literally thousands of rabbits , hundreds of foxes and a few years ago even had two pigs shot on site and butchered them but I'm feeling a bit squeamish about sending Billy off .
Its funy isnt it ? I obviously shouldn't have named him but he will have had a good life . I'm sure I will feel a lot better about it once he's in freezer bags but I don't like to think about the day ! I supose I'm just a softy at heart !