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#TBT: Great Reward, v.2.0

Posted on March 4, 2021March 4, 2021

This was first posted March 2, 2010.

Last night we had our largest calf we’ve had in the heifers… a whopping 100 pounder!

That’s like having an 11 pound baby for us.  

For your first baby.  

Big.  

Ugh.  

Ouch.  

But… that’s why we check them… to be there when they need help.  

So, I go over to the calving shed… see the size of the hooves… and know she’ll need a hand.  Calves are born with their front hooves leading the way with their head laying on top.  Think diver.  You can also tell easily if they are being born breech because the hooves will be upside down.  Luckily, this calf was in the correct position.  

We’ve assisted a few heifers… but this one would need the cavalry.  Time to get the chains *and* puller.  

chain1

  On the left are the handles which snag on to the chains to provide grip.  Remember, you’re trying to pull a slimy newborn… you need grip!  

The chain on the right is like a choke chain dog collar but about four feet long.  The chain is looped over the calf’s hooves… high up above the dewclaw… so as not to injure him.  

Ready?  

Pull.  

If you aren’t making progress… time to get the big guns.  

chain2

  This is the puller.  

The straps go over her spine and basically don’t do much if she’s lying down!  

The silver metal part goes against her butt below the calf.  Notice the round section in the middle of it.  

chain3

  This is the puller part!  

Think car jack.  

Sooooo… how many of you are EXTREMELY grateful for *not* being a cow, right about now????  

Yup.  

Set the end of the “jack” part into the round metal hole.  

Hook the chain on to the puller.  

Now.  

Jack.  

What you are doing is actually cranking the calf out of the cow.  Sounds brutal I know.  

However, if you don’t get the calf out fast enough… it’ll die.  

No time to be shy.   Besides… after all your work… you get a great reward.  

chain4

  Now…   I’m opening this up for a great Q & A Session.   What do you want to know about calving… or the ranch… or me… or my dogs… or the weather… or wildlife?  

Leave me a question in the comments section… and Thursday… I’ll answer them.

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1 thought on “#TBT: Great Reward, v.2.0”

  1. Larry Grappy says:
    March 6, 2021 at 6:33 AM

    The medieval reality of farming and ranching! We raised sheep so we had to pull lambs on occasion, we didn’t have to use the hardware you guys do. I’m sure this post was eye opening to some of your followers. Thanks Carol for showing us the other side of ranching.

    Reply

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Carol, Wyoming rancher

Since 2008, I’ve kept this photographic journal of life on our working Wyoming ranch.  I share ranch work, my family, crafts and DIY, my English Shepherds, Bravo and Indy, and a love for this land.  Enjoy this red dirt country!

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