Sunday, February 28, 2010

More Calves Coming Sooner Than I Thought....

We brought the bred heifers up to the barn about 10 days ago. I assumed they were probably all bred, they have been in with the bulls since June 2009. I had NO IDEA how far along. So, I did a little training session--put the heifers in the stanchion.
Jules and Maddy are definitely making udders, then I tried to bump them and almost jumped when I felt BIG calves kicking and pushing back against my hands! What? So it seems to me, the calves usually feel like that about a month before calving. Berretta, for reference, is due in May and about to be dried off. I can't bump her calf nearly as easily.
Brie, the 3rd heifer, isn't really building an udder yet. I couldn't bump a calf either. Hopefully she's in fact bred, just due in early May like I thought the others were.
The heifers behaved wonderful in the stanchion. I felt all around their cute little udders. Not a flinch, let alone a kick. I can't belive we might have 3 more little calves in the next 2 months. Yipeeeeeeeeeee!

6 comments:

  1. As stressful as calving is it is wonderful too. Congrats on all those impending young 'uns.

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  2. Thank you! I totally agree, I'm excited as we get close--then on pins and needles for the calving and those first few weeks into milking are a lot of work. Looking out for metabolic issues. Dealing with hormonal cows. Most of them at the LEAST, do a lot of crapping in the parlor those first few weeks. I do love those baby calves, and milking is a joy...most of the time!

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  3. Woohoo!! Congrats!!!
    I am looking forward to the updates and news (and pics too)!

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  4. I bumped Brie's calf today. Looks like that will be 4 calves in the next 2 months!

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