Chunky Monkey gang
- Thread starter chunky monkey
- Start date
I keep not updating here.
Well 4 calves born so far with 1 to go. All calves are doing really well inspite of the persistant rain and the snow we had. One cow still to calve but has passed all the dates i had for her so its guess when im due. Although she cant calve any later than 8th of May. She'll be a first calver, went to the bull a little later than we would normally so she laid up a bit of extra weight/fat. Shes definitely in calf though. I suspect around 16th April now.
I start lambing a week today. 15 mums expecting in theory. I managed to get the mucking out done before the snow came. Was really pleased, huge weight and stress lifted of my shoulders, however with a combination of persistent rain since and taking on more work on my day job and last week a new dog. The sheep shed is still waiting for me to remove the last scrappings of muck and to be pressure washed. Slightly panicking now as the first sheep need to come in next friday and the shed wont be dry. Should be down there now doing it but i confess im exhausted after this morning and some very late nights this last week thanks to the dog. Hes supposed to be my helper at the moment its a little hinder but i think all will come good with time.
Well 4 calves born so far with 1 to go. All calves are doing really well inspite of the persistant rain and the snow we had. One cow still to calve but has passed all the dates i had for her so its guess when im due. Although she cant calve any later than 8th of May. She'll be a first calver, went to the bull a little later than we would normally so she laid up a bit of extra weight/fat. Shes definitely in calf though. I suspect around 16th April now.
I start lambing a week today. 15 mums expecting in theory. I managed to get the mucking out done before the snow came. Was really pleased, huge weight and stress lifted of my shoulders, however with a combination of persistent rain since and taking on more work on my day job and last week a new dog. The sheep shed is still waiting for me to remove the last scrappings of muck and to be pressure washed. Slightly panicking now as the first sheep need to come in next friday and the shed wont be dry. Should be down there now doing it but i confess im exhausted after this morning and some very late nights this last week thanks to the dog. Hes supposed to be my helper at the moment its a little hinder but i think all will come good with time.
So to my new helper. His name is Quin. Ive had him almost a week now. He has a very loving and sweet nature. Very gentle when he takes food from you. Hes 8 months old. Hes seen sheep but done nothing with them. The people told me they dont start them till a year old. Other people start them at 6 to 8 months so i was a little worried. His sit and down arent even installed in him. He doesnt even respond properly to his name either yet. He was kennelled but will be living with us.
Poor lad did sick up on the way home but dont think hes even really been in a car. Fortunately i popped him in a crate so it was easy to clean. Clearly hasnt worn a collar for any length of time if at all as he keeps scratching round his neck where i have put one on him and wasnt sure of a lead either.
He was a bit stressed the first 24hrs as he didnt wee or poo. We are struggling to get the system regulated just now so hes had a couple of accidents in the house. I took him outside for 4 walks the one day. He wouldnt go. Brought him back in, 10 minutes later whoppsie. Not unusual for a dog thats been kenneled but its frustrating when you keep taking him out and he just wont go. Im wondering if hes shy doing the business in the rain. He will get over that im sure.
Monday morning i took him with me on my feeding rounds to see the animals. Fleeting glimpses at the sheep only. No real focus for a dog you want to work. Left him tied to the fence whilst i got over and did the in lamb sheep. He was panicking on the lead. Took him to see the horses and the cows, nothing in fact he was so frightened he pulled back behind me. Couldnt even get him close to them.
Took him down the road, post van passes us he tenses, then 20 seconds later immediately he saw someone coming towards us on a bike. He freaked so bad he yanked back behind me so quick he whipped the retractable lead straight out my hand. My heart came up in my mouth. Fortunately he went under my neighbours parked pick up, but with the retractable dragging and banging on the ground and some leash around his leg he starts panic and whimpering trying to get away from it. So out he comes from under the car. Fortunately in all his panic and with some luck he sat. I calmly told him to wait and was able to walk up to him and grab the lead off the floor.
Asked him to continue to walk down the road. He plants. Im afraid he got pulled and asked to walk on. Hes tried to argue and resist but i was not having any of it. He gave in and walked. Then a minute later he is confronted by a dog walker. Another melt down.
All those things in the space of a couple of minutes. Certainly not the right reaction from a dog you expect to be working livestock. I did get back in the house Monday wondering if id done something extremely silly. Maybe i should have bought something already with some training in him.
Well Tuesday was a little better but the minute he saw dog walkers turned to run. Still no eye on the sheep. Panic tied up whilst i fed.
Roll on Wednesday morning. His first trip in the RTV as i needed to take hay out for the cows for the next 3 days. He wasnt keen at all to get in so i had to lift him in. I had to get him to stay in sometimes when i got out. Other times i put the lead on and got him out as well so he vould see the animals. Out on the rounds after i fed last years ewe lambs i decided to test him. So untied him from the gate. I started to walk him towards the ewes, they have seen dogs walking through the field as there is a public footpath going through it but Quin was coming direct at them, he never backed off, they stated to worry and turned to run but at the same time being calmish as the hand that feeds them is also approaching. As they started to move away from us the lightbulb came on. Quin showed me exactly what i need to see. He was latched on them. Pulling me across the field 7 metres ahead of me. We followed for a couple of minutes and then i called him off. Or rather dragged him off.
We then went to feed the cows and the horses and whilst you could see he wasn't sure about the larger mums. The calves were having a jolly round the field away from there mums so we headed towards them and he was eyes on the prize with interest. Again just a couple of minutes and we left the field.
Wednesday evening i had made an appointment with the vets. I was told by his previous owner that whilst he was vaccinated, he had only been given his first puppy jab, so i now have to start his vaccinations again. I really hope it doesnt come back to bite me. I really dont understand why you would have one done and not the full two to protect. Was i silly to buy him not fully vaccinated, yes it was. Only time will tell. Hes got to have another in a months time.
Time to take the dog out again, so youll have to wait to find out about sponges, freezer and this morning's Quin adventures.
Poor lad did sick up on the way home but dont think hes even really been in a car. Fortunately i popped him in a crate so it was easy to clean. Clearly hasnt worn a collar for any length of time if at all as he keeps scratching round his neck where i have put one on him and wasnt sure of a lead either.
He was a bit stressed the first 24hrs as he didnt wee or poo. We are struggling to get the system regulated just now so hes had a couple of accidents in the house. I took him outside for 4 walks the one day. He wouldnt go. Brought him back in, 10 minutes later whoppsie. Not unusual for a dog thats been kenneled but its frustrating when you keep taking him out and he just wont go. Im wondering if hes shy doing the business in the rain. He will get over that im sure.
Monday morning i took him with me on my feeding rounds to see the animals. Fleeting glimpses at the sheep only. No real focus for a dog you want to work. Left him tied to the fence whilst i got over and did the in lamb sheep. He was panicking on the lead. Took him to see the horses and the cows, nothing in fact he was so frightened he pulled back behind me. Couldnt even get him close to them.
Took him down the road, post van passes us he tenses, then 20 seconds later immediately he saw someone coming towards us on a bike. He freaked so bad he yanked back behind me so quick he whipped the retractable lead straight out my hand. My heart came up in my mouth. Fortunately he went under my neighbours parked pick up, but with the retractable dragging and banging on the ground and some leash around his leg he starts panic and whimpering trying to get away from it. So out he comes from under the car. Fortunately in all his panic and with some luck he sat. I calmly told him to wait and was able to walk up to him and grab the lead off the floor.
Asked him to continue to walk down the road. He plants. Im afraid he got pulled and asked to walk on. Hes tried to argue and resist but i was not having any of it. He gave in and walked. Then a minute later he is confronted by a dog walker. Another melt down.
All those things in the space of a couple of minutes. Certainly not the right reaction from a dog you expect to be working livestock. I did get back in the house Monday wondering if id done something extremely silly. Maybe i should have bought something already with some training in him.
Well Tuesday was a little better but the minute he saw dog walkers turned to run. Still no eye on the sheep. Panic tied up whilst i fed.
Roll on Wednesday morning. His first trip in the RTV as i needed to take hay out for the cows for the next 3 days. He wasnt keen at all to get in so i had to lift him in. I had to get him to stay in sometimes when i got out. Other times i put the lead on and got him out as well so he vould see the animals. Out on the rounds after i fed last years ewe lambs i decided to test him. So untied him from the gate. I started to walk him towards the ewes, they have seen dogs walking through the field as there is a public footpath going through it but Quin was coming direct at them, he never backed off, they stated to worry and turned to run but at the same time being calmish as the hand that feeds them is also approaching. As they started to move away from us the lightbulb came on. Quin showed me exactly what i need to see. He was latched on them. Pulling me across the field 7 metres ahead of me. We followed for a couple of minutes and then i called him off. Or rather dragged him off.
We then went to feed the cows and the horses and whilst you could see he wasn't sure about the larger mums. The calves were having a jolly round the field away from there mums so we headed towards them and he was eyes on the prize with interest. Again just a couple of minutes and we left the field.
Wednesday evening i had made an appointment with the vets. I was told by his previous owner that whilst he was vaccinated, he had only been given his first puppy jab, so i now have to start his vaccinations again. I really hope it doesnt come back to bite me. I really dont understand why you would have one done and not the full two to protect. Was i silly to buy him not fully vaccinated, yes it was. Only time will tell. Hes got to have another in a months time.
Time to take the dog out again, so youll have to wait to find out about sponges, freezer and this morning's Quin adventures.
So tuesday im at work all day, so Quin has to go into utility room. Get home to find hes upset his water bowl, pulled out the mop bucket which contained a large sponge and shredded it.
Wednesday while im at work mum goes out into the kitchen. Looks through the glass door into the utility room. No Quin. Bed empty, floor empty, so she looks round the corner to see Quin had got himself up on our big chest freezer and is stretched out right across it. Honestly give him a comfy cushioned bed carpet to lay on and he chooses the hard freezer.
Thursday the puppy nature started to come through. He was in the house, nicked a glove, a plastic bottle, fortunately i had my eye on him and removed before he got to chew. Weve had a few paws up on the work tops but he generally gets off after a couple of asks.
Overall he actually has a very mature head for a young dog. And affection in bucket loads. He leans into you for a neck and ear scratch. He almost fell over yesterday when i was doing it. He rests his head on your lap as much to say scratch me.
I was very concerned having a new dog as my mum is becoming fragile and i worry about him getting under her feet or tripping her over. So far hes been good and just moves out the way. Its actually stimulated her a little bit. As he goes up to her rests his head and she can give him a fuss. He has jumped up but hes generally quite gentle in the way he does it. Although if wind him up playing he will jump up, pawing me and does grab onto my coat.
So yesterday was hay day again for the cows. Another trip in the RTV. Hes not happy about getting in the cab so i opened both doors got some treats and tried to make a game off it building his confidence. Work in progress.
Few minutes on the ewe lambs and encouraged the chase again, all the time trying to put the comebye and away comands to his movements.
Then to the cows so i parked the RTV in the field. Hay on the floor so cows could come right up outside and Quin is sitting in the safety of a cab watching. Calves running round having a game which he clocks.
After a few minutes i get him out on the lead. We start wandering round cows. Moving in towards the calves who decide to run. So Quin runs. Hes on a retractable lead. Well he ran so fast it broke the link off the collar. Cue i have a loose dog running round the cows. Whoops. Made several attempts to get close to retrieve him. Everytime i got close he moved off. With no recall no chance of him coming to me either. Fortunately calves were calm and stopped so he stopped. So i decided as he was loose, showing controlled interest i would use the time and let him work. Still trying to find a moment to get hold of him. I decided to whip my phone out and video. All i can say is thank god it was the cows he got loose on, not the sheep. I would have stood no chance of getting hold of him off the sheep as they will just run. So i will be getting a long line attached that he can trail when hes let loose on the sheep. Its on the cards but i hadnt had time to go and buy one. Ive got a not very good rope so i might put that on at least for today and let him loose round the cows again. Just depends if i feel brave.
He is obcessed with trying to work the cat. That i worry about in the house around mum. Cats run away a few times, dog in hot pursuit. Other times cat hisses at Quin, claws come out. Think scratchy has missed having a friend. He used to walk with me floss and abbey. Although he didnt eat for 24hrs he is back eating now and the cat is back to coming on walks with me and Quin. Which is difficult as Quin is so obcessed with the cat he then wont do his toilet business. It is so laughable though. I went out for over an hour yesterday evening round the fields, up and down the round. Quite a fast walk too. Cat came the whole walk. Had to drag Quin as he just wanted to go chase cat. The cat just didnt care and was sticking with us the whole way. I will have one fit cat if he keeps up wanting to come with us. He was souled out on my lap last night. Hes little legs must have ached. Quin was too, but he still had eyes on the cat if he so much as moved on my lap.
Wednesday while im at work mum goes out into the kitchen. Looks through the glass door into the utility room. No Quin. Bed empty, floor empty, so she looks round the corner to see Quin had got himself up on our big chest freezer and is stretched out right across it. Honestly give him a comfy cushioned bed carpet to lay on and he chooses the hard freezer.
Thursday the puppy nature started to come through. He was in the house, nicked a glove, a plastic bottle, fortunately i had my eye on him and removed before he got to chew. Weve had a few paws up on the work tops but he generally gets off after a couple of asks.
Overall he actually has a very mature head for a young dog. And affection in bucket loads. He leans into you for a neck and ear scratch. He almost fell over yesterday when i was doing it. He rests his head on your lap as much to say scratch me.
I was very concerned having a new dog as my mum is becoming fragile and i worry about him getting under her feet or tripping her over. So far hes been good and just moves out the way. Its actually stimulated her a little bit. As he goes up to her rests his head and she can give him a fuss. He has jumped up but hes generally quite gentle in the way he does it. Although if wind him up playing he will jump up, pawing me and does grab onto my coat.
So yesterday was hay day again for the cows. Another trip in the RTV. Hes not happy about getting in the cab so i opened both doors got some treats and tried to make a game off it building his confidence. Work in progress.
Few minutes on the ewe lambs and encouraged the chase again, all the time trying to put the comebye and away comands to his movements.
Then to the cows so i parked the RTV in the field. Hay on the floor so cows could come right up outside and Quin is sitting in the safety of a cab watching. Calves running round having a game which he clocks.
After a few minutes i get him out on the lead. We start wandering round cows. Moving in towards the calves who decide to run. So Quin runs. Hes on a retractable lead. Well he ran so fast it broke the link off the collar. Cue i have a loose dog running round the cows. Whoops. Made several attempts to get close to retrieve him. Everytime i got close he moved off. With no recall no chance of him coming to me either. Fortunately calves were calm and stopped so he stopped. So i decided as he was loose, showing controlled interest i would use the time and let him work. Still trying to find a moment to get hold of him. I decided to whip my phone out and video. All i can say is thank god it was the cows he got loose on, not the sheep. I would have stood no chance of getting hold of him off the sheep as they will just run. So i will be getting a long line attached that he can trail when hes let loose on the sheep. Its on the cards but i hadnt had time to go and buy one. Ive got a not very good rope so i might put that on at least for today and let him loose round the cows again. Just depends if i feel brave.
He is obcessed with trying to work the cat. That i worry about in the house around mum. Cats run away a few times, dog in hot pursuit. Other times cat hisses at Quin, claws come out. Think scratchy has missed having a friend. He used to walk with me floss and abbey. Although he didnt eat for 24hrs he is back eating now and the cat is back to coming on walks with me and Quin. Which is difficult as Quin is so obcessed with the cat he then wont do his toilet business. It is so laughable though. I went out for over an hour yesterday evening round the fields, up and down the round. Quite a fast walk too. Cat came the whole walk. Had to drag Quin as he just wanted to go chase cat. The cat just didnt care and was sticking with us the whole way. I will have one fit cat if he keeps up wanting to come with us. He was souled out on my lap last night. Hes little legs must have ached. Quin was too, but he still had eyes on the cat if he so much as moved on my lap.
Will be a busy day today. Moving sheep around, all basically on my neighbours fields currently. Today we start lambing so i need to get the lambing ewes back home so i can get the first ones in the shed.
Troughs need bring back, food bin need to go in correct locations, little hay store needs filling. Hurdles in to make up lambing pens. Hayracks need filling. Water buckets ready. The jobs list is endless today.
Quin is coming on well. Hes been off lead with me out in the field. He comes back but like all young dogs has cloth ears. We are having some toileting in the house which is not going down well. He goes outside for walks, wont go as its too fun, then comes back in and does the business.
Round the cows we need a long lead trailing so i can catch him. He gives me the run around if i dont have the line on. He just wont come off them, but he has a natural stop if the cows stop. Hes been seeing the yearling ewes daily too but i cant let him loose at all. Having said that he did get loose two days ago when he pulled so hard to get to them he snapped his collar. Thankfully i was stood between two fields and managed to block him from getting to the sheep. My heart was in my mouth. Managing to get a gate closed and then get hold of him. It will be utter carnage if he gets in with them.
He is also handy with the mouth. He went at one of the cows with an open mouth and one of the ewes who he got close to he tried biting. Whether it will be a nip or a grip im yet to decide. Nip is ok, gripping is a no no.
Ive made contact with a trainer and will book him in soon for a lesson as soon as hes had his other vaccine. As soon as i finish lambing in a few weeks I'll be able to make up a round pen with the sheep hurdles in the field to keep the sheep safe and get him circling the outside. That should get the come bye and away commands established. In the meantime hes on the lead with the sheep.
Troughs need bring back, food bin need to go in correct locations, little hay store needs filling. Hurdles in to make up lambing pens. Hayracks need filling. Water buckets ready. The jobs list is endless today.
Quin is coming on well. Hes been off lead with me out in the field. He comes back but like all young dogs has cloth ears. We are having some toileting in the house which is not going down well. He goes outside for walks, wont go as its too fun, then comes back in and does the business.
Round the cows we need a long lead trailing so i can catch him. He gives me the run around if i dont have the line on. He just wont come off them, but he has a natural stop if the cows stop. Hes been seeing the yearling ewes daily too but i cant let him loose at all. Having said that he did get loose two days ago when he pulled so hard to get to them he snapped his collar. Thankfully i was stood between two fields and managed to block him from getting to the sheep. My heart was in my mouth. Managing to get a gate closed and then get hold of him. It will be utter carnage if he gets in with them.
He is also handy with the mouth. He went at one of the cows with an open mouth and one of the ewes who he got close to he tried biting. Whether it will be a nip or a grip im yet to decide. Nip is ok, gripping is a no no.
Ive made contact with a trainer and will book him in soon for a lesson as soon as hes had his other vaccine. As soon as i finish lambing in a few weeks I'll be able to make up a round pen with the sheep hurdles in the field to keep the sheep safe and get him circling the outside. That should get the come bye and away commands established. In the meantime hes on the lead with the sheep.
Im no expert. Quin will only be my second that ive trained. Im not going to get it all correct.
There are lots of dos and donts. Some things you have to try to see what floats there boat. If you do the wrong thing it can really knock there confidence out. I dont have the ability to recognise all the signs.
I just want to get him and me to some lessons so that we can get guidance.
There are lots of dos and donts. Some things you have to try to see what floats there boat. If you do the wrong thing it can really knock there confidence out. I dont have the ability to recognise all the signs.
I just want to get him and me to some lessons so that we can get guidance.
Yes she was.
Well it has been a long day with all i had to fit in. The first ewe has decided to pop. I had her down for today so bang on time. She lambed in the field so i did have to walk down and retrieve the lambs. She was a bit upset at me stealing her lambs being a first lamber. But did seem to be mothering ok. Another to come in the shed this evening although she doesnt look ready to pop yet.
Still not managed to get the horses out for a walk. Thats 3 weeks now. Since ive done anything with them. Poor boys. Was hoping to get them out today but the base of my spine is now screaming horrifically at me. So i must rest.
Quin is banned from the sheep for now. I was a little to trusting. Moved the yearling ewes saturday to the field where the inlamb ewes had been. I nipped over the fence to go feed them. Quin finds a spot and comes under the fence to join us. I didnt have a long line on him either Fortunately the sheep were in the top corner of the field eating there food although they stopped and started to stress about which way to run. I managed to get myself between him and the sheep, but everytime i got near him he got up and moved. I just kept repeating 'off' and he turned and left them. Phew. So we start to walk away and then i call him to me. He comes so far then diverts off past me heading straight back towards the sheep. He naturally goes down to watch the sheep. So i get back between him and the sheep and keep telling him 'off'. So eventually he gets up and goes off away from them. This time i think right walk right off down the field well away from the sheep before asking him to come to me. It worked, he was more interested in where i might be going next. So i was then able to recall him and get him on the lead. Recall just goes right out the window when hes near the sheep.
It really was too close a call. So hes now being kept well away from all the animals till i can get him to the trainer. I think hes had enough exposure for now until he matures a little anyway. Letting him process his new adventures.
In the meantime we have gone exploring and traversing the footpaths up on the hill. I was limiting this till he gets his other vaccine so was just using my fields but with all my fields now in use ive got to take him somewhere where theres no livestock.
It really was too close a call. So hes now being kept well away from all the animals till i can get him to the trainer. I think hes had enough exposure for now until he matures a little anyway. Letting him process his new adventures.
In the meantime we have gone exploring and traversing the footpaths up on the hill. I was limiting this till he gets his other vaccine so was just using my fields but with all my fields now in use ive got to take him somewhere where theres no livestock.
Well he’s definitely found his lookyness now! I’m sure you’ll get him right soon enough, it’s good that he doesn’t just plough into them but lays to watch, that’s going to be a good foundation to work with.
Lambing number 4 this morning. Triplet, havent had a triplet for a few years.
Steadily lambs continue to pop out. One born today that wasnt due till Wednesday. So she lambed in the field as i hadnt got her in. She also lowered my lambing percentage as i was on 200%.
That was lambing number 7.
4 more to go, sometime this week, then 4 returns in 4-7 weeks. Although im suspecting one of those might not be in lamb at all.
The field on Friday in that pouring torrential rain looked like something had been at the sheep when i looked down the field. So i just had to go check. Seriously why would you shake your fleece off when it is hammering down. But a good deluge helps the coat loosen.
Her on the left is the one i suspect not in lamb. I have another date for the one on the right. If they are imminent to lamb they retain there coat. Her on the right was due this week has udder dropping but not enough and i have another date in about 7 weeks time so the body clock has kicked in and said i must shed now.
That was lambing number 7.
4 more to go, sometime this week, then 4 returns in 4-7 weeks. Although im suspecting one of those might not be in lamb at all.
The field on Friday in that pouring torrential rain looked like something had been at the sheep when i looked down the field. So i just had to go check. Seriously why would you shake your fleece off when it is hammering down. But a good deluge helps the coat loosen.
Her on the left is the one i suspect not in lamb. I have another date for the one on the right. If they are imminent to lamb they retain there coat. Her on the right was due this week has udder dropping but not enough and i have another date in about 7 weeks time so the body clock has kicked in and said i must shed now.
Well my house is now a menagerie of animals. Cat, dog and the latest addition a lamb in my kitchen.
Well i can tell you yet again i failed to foster on a lamb to a mum. They make it look so easy on the tv. But my Wilts are not dumb. Ive never managed to foster one on yet. So now i have an orphan which i will have to feed for the next 2 months. Oh well as though i dont have enough to do already. My p!ss up i should have left as a triplet to take its chances. I tried and failed.
So we are experimenting with newspaper and miscanthus in the dog crate to soak up lamb wizz. Have to say im impressed. Normally its been newspaper and towels. Which are soaked after 24hrs. Just pulled the bed up and miscanthus is still dry. Newspaper underneath has absorbed wet.
Well i can tell you yet again i failed to foster on a lamb to a mum. They make it look so easy on the tv. But my Wilts are not dumb. Ive never managed to foster one on yet. So now i have an orphan which i will have to feed for the next 2 months. Oh well as though i dont have enough to do already. My p!ss up i should have left as a triplet to take its chances. I tried and failed.
So we are experimenting with newspaper and miscanthus in the dog crate to soak up lamb wizz. Have to say im impressed. Normally its been newspaper and towels. Which are soaked after 24hrs. Just pulled the bed up and miscanthus is still dry. Newspaper underneath has absorbed wet.
Horses and cows were going nuts this evening. Charging round in there paddock. The wind decided to hooley just as i got down to see them. Cows were calling out. Thought it was because the last cow had calved, alas no. Poor Billy was so stressed with the wind, tossing his head and throwing his body around. Chunky was charging round to. So i opened up the paddock they should be going in tomorrow morning. Id put the hay out ready this morning. Both horses full out galloped up the steep bank to let tension off. Cows came up a bit more calm. Think they were pleased to have the additional hay after all the rain this afternoon.
Seriously it was the intense wind and relentless afternoon of rain. It was very dangerous for me. 12 cows and 2 horses charging round the way they were actually frightens me. Thats when people get killed When Billys on one like that he will run me over doesnt care whos stood where.
All looks calm this morning, cows laying down content.
All looks calm this morning, cows laying down content.
Well the last cow has calved today. First calver and shes flippin ditched it.
I finished work, rushed home to take Quin to the vets for his 2nd vaccination appointment. I knew cow had calved as i got a text while i was at work. But i couldnt get out to see it till 7.30pm. Only to find mum is nowhere near calf and calf is trying his level best to suckle Spikes testicles. Yes seriously that is what im faced with. Cow showed zero interest. Two horses came flying down to stick the ore in. Billy had his ears back so i knew he was looking to go for the calf. So i grab him by the mane and lead him into another paddock before he lashed out, chunky followed. Nearly dark so i rush home get the rtv, sling a bale of hay on as boys are going loopy. Grab the calf while i can still see him and stick him in the rtv cab. Drive him back to the sheep sheds. Get sheep in. Have to move 306 out the barn pen into the corridor pen so i can put calf in there. Completely dark now. Then go get all the cows from two fields away, bring them up into the yard so i can extract the new mum into pen with her calf. Put everybody else back out, with a bale of hay to keep them quiet. New mum is now in pen with her calf but showing no interest in it. Calf might have had a suckle while mum was eating some food but then laid down smack in the middle of pen and mum is just walking all over him like hes not there. He gets up again and tries for more milk. Gets several feet in the face.
Ive come home to fed cat, dog and lamb. Will go back down shortly to see how cow and calf are doing but im not hopeful just now. If she tramples the calf, she will find herself at the abbatoirs next week. Shes a fairly calm cow, has been halter trained but she has attitude. I cant touch her loose in the field. Shes now proven shes not a good mum either. Ive got too many cows now so im afraid her fate is sealed after today. If she does bond with it she will be up for sale with her calf in july. She kept coming back into season as well so fertility is not sound either.
I finished work, rushed home to take Quin to the vets for his 2nd vaccination appointment. I knew cow had calved as i got a text while i was at work. But i couldnt get out to see it till 7.30pm. Only to find mum is nowhere near calf and calf is trying his level best to suckle Spikes testicles. Yes seriously that is what im faced with. Cow showed zero interest. Two horses came flying down to stick the ore in. Billy had his ears back so i knew he was looking to go for the calf. So i grab him by the mane and lead him into another paddock before he lashed out, chunky followed. Nearly dark so i rush home get the rtv, sling a bale of hay on as boys are going loopy. Grab the calf while i can still see him and stick him in the rtv cab. Drive him back to the sheep sheds. Get sheep in. Have to move 306 out the barn pen into the corridor pen so i can put calf in there. Completely dark now. Then go get all the cows from two fields away, bring them up into the yard so i can extract the new mum into pen with her calf. Put everybody else back out, with a bale of hay to keep them quiet. New mum is now in pen with her calf but showing no interest in it. Calf might have had a suckle while mum was eating some food but then laid down smack in the middle of pen and mum is just walking all over him like hes not there. He gets up again and tries for more milk. Gets several feet in the face.
Ive come home to fed cat, dog and lamb. Will go back down shortly to see how cow and calf are doing but im not hopeful just now. If she tramples the calf, she will find herself at the abbatoirs next week. Shes a fairly calm cow, has been halter trained but she has attitude. I cant touch her loose in the field. Shes now proven shes not a good mum either. Ive got too many cows now so im afraid her fate is sealed after today. If she does bond with it she will be up for sale with her calf in july. She kept coming back into season as well so fertility is not sound either.
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