Ten O'clock Shift
Last night began my first heifer checking shift. For those of you new to this blog, or ranches, or cattle, you might investigate my Heifer Movies on the left sidebar of this blog. But basically, heifers are cows that are having their very first babies. We keep an extremely close eye on them. They are bovine versions of teenage mothers. They may have problems, they may decide the pain was horrible and hate their calves, they may be stupid and have it in a mud puddle. There are 63 heifers this year... and since we AI (Artificially Inseminate) the heifers, their due dates are on the same few days. That makes for insanity for a few days, but we hope it is over with fast! It never is, but we hope so all the same.
My heifer checking shift is at 10 pm every night. You know, the time of night your body is slowing down, getting snuggly and relaxed. You must force yourself to leave the couch and the Olympics telecast and put on whatever warm clothes seem necessary. Last night, my light coat seemed adequate, until I stepped outside and found it snowing. Tonight I'll grab my fleece jeans and heavy coat plus scarf, warm hat and gloves. You must be prepared to spend a few hours out in the cold if necessary.
Now on that subject of snow last night... we were supposed to receive half an inch... but awoke to this...
Thanks, Mr. Weatherman, we received half an inch of *moisture* in the 5 or 6 inches of snow! Small detail. ha.
After waking to the unpredicted snow, the tractor's three point hitch decided not to work... so I tried to help Vernon with the feeding... the calves appreciated my pitiful pitchfork skills.
Later I looked out of my kitchen window and spied Dally, covered in green slimy poop from nose to tail and mmoooooving slooooooowly. Vernon told me she headed a heifer and the heifer smashed her and rolled her. Sure enough, she has a scrape on her ribs behind her elbow and looks like she was shaved, the hair has been ripped out in a 2" area. I imagine she's cracked some ribs. She eats and drinks just fine, but seemingly guards that area and walks like she's 90 years old! She also stinks like fresh manure, and I can't give her a bath without hurting her, as if she'd like one anyway... my floors and mud room got a quick wipedown with bleach water though, to remove the smell!
Doesn't she look pitiful? She's not near as sparkly as she was in yesterday's photo!
Anyone up for accompanying me on my 10 o'clock shift?
(One of today's calves, one minute old... his mom's name is Twister... betcha can't figure out why I named her that!)
Six out of 63 calved so far.
Awww....poor Dally!!! I hope she heals soon! Hope your watch goes smoothly tonight as well.
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Karyn, Dally is doing better every day!
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Oh I would come and help you, but there is one thing you have to know. I cry, even if I am watch birth on a tv. It's not long but it is faithful.
Dally, dang her. She'll be fine and all the wiser.
Thanks for sharing. Hope you get all the moisture you need out of this wonderful winter.
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Ginny, you'd be a mess at the end of calving season around here! But I do know what you mean, it is an amazing process!
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Boy, the year has gone fast!
I have no sympathy for your piddling 6 inches of snow ; )
We got 4+ feet within a week starting February 5 in Maryland. Some schools are still closed! We deserve a medal or something.
I actually wish we could get 3 or 4 inches again to freshen things up a bit.
Speaking of stupid cows--what ever happened to that calf last year whose momma was trying to drown him in the mud puddle?
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I'll go with you. I will look like a an overstuffed chair (I really dislike the cold to my core) but any chance to see calving and I am all over it, olympics or not!
Sweet Dally-well, sweet under all the stink.
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Robin, enjoy the video... it's WARMER!
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I wish Dally a speedy recovery, poor thing!
I can't believe you have 63 heifers calving. That is A LOT of work! Nothing worse than going out in the cold at night.
Good luck in your calving season.
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Sara, thanks. We average 60 heifers a season... so it is a normal pain for us, though AI'ing has helped the length of the season!
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Winter's fine when you have the right apparel on! Hope Dally heals quickly. Seems like you'd have to get all that dirt off of her to keep any wound clean.
Just wondering, where the calves are born? in a field, a corral, or the barn?
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Marilyn, I *love* Carhartts! The heifer calves are born in our calving shed in individual pens with clean straw. (Hopefully) The cows' calves will be born in fields with some brush patches to provide shelter... no barn calves here... too many cows!
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Ohh poor Dally! She looks so hurt it brought tears to my eyes. I'd love to help with calving! Only wish I could. It was never all around the same time on our Dairy farm, but I never ever missed a calving if I could help it! I did miss the one and only foal we had born there. Still regret that.
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Della, it is still fun to watch... that little flick of the tongue before the head is completely out is my favorite! I understand foals are hard to catch in the process... I've met lots of people that miss it *by that much*!
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poor pup, hope she is feeling frisky soon and good work on the first calf!
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KT, thanks!
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Ouch! Poor Dally. First the axe story from last year, now this! I hope she has a speedy recovery.
63 heifers! Wow. I am making a resolution not to complain about my tiny amount lambing this year. Good luck with the barn checks; 2 am is my least favorite.
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Kris, good thing she is tough! I'm grateful we share duties... but will enjoy next year better as Daniel will be HOME and able to do those 2 ams!
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