farmlet.co.nz

This morning, Owen and I went for a walk out to the cow paddock. I wanted to check on Coco. Last night she could hardly waddle up the hill on account of her huge belly and swollen udder. Surely her calf would be born soon.

Scarlett Beef-Shanks, about twelve hours old

When we reached the fence, what a sight met our eyes: A wobbly-legged rust-coloured heifer calf was just finishing her first feed and testing out her feet at Coco’s side. Owen smiled and pointed and said “mmooo.” Coco was mooing in a very maternal way and licking the new calf. Miss Scarlett Beef-Shanks is a healthy, good-sized calf, and she and her mother are both doing very well. This is such a joy to us after all the difficulties of last year when Coco’s calf was born dead.

Feedies

Rosie, Coco and Scarlett Beef-Shanks

Henrietta Hamburger (Coco’s foster calf from last season, due to be put in the freezer next week!) has been making a nuisance of herself with the new calf. She keeps getting between Coco and the calf when the little one is trying to feed. She has also been trying to lick and bunt the calf. Luckily Miss Scarlett Beef-Shanks is strong and determined, and is managing to feed ok despite the interference. Coco doesn’t seem to mind. She has been seen licking Henrietta as the little one feeds!

This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 9th, 2008 at 3:07 am and is filed under Cows. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.