Sparkle had her baby!

[Goat Freak]

We got a call from my grandma, she asked us if we had a baby cow in the pasture, and my mom said not that she knew of. Got home and sure enough Sparkle had had her baby sometime today, figures this was the first day in about a month that I didn't go check on her in the morning, I had to take care of my rabbit instead. It's a little boy, Sparkle is a first time mom, she's doing great, they both are. She's very protective of her little one, she doesn't like the other girls being near him, but she lets me pet him and pet her, so she STILL loves me, which is great. This is our first calf born here, and our first one so young, he's SO ADORABLE! I'll try to post a picture either today or tommorow. Merry Christmas everyone, bye.

[Ken Scharabok]

Congratulations. Sometimes first calvers can be airheads as far as knowing what to do. Sounds like Sparkle was good from the get-go.

[Goat Freak]

Thank you, we decided to name the little baby Picaso, because it looks like someone splattered paint on his face. He's really cute, and really nice. Sparkle is doing real good, but she now lets him hang out with the "other" girls, who all treat him like he's something special, which he is.

[Ken Scharabok]

At the moment I have four of last year's calf crop heifers, and one coming up on two-years old I don't want to breed yet, in with an older Jersey and her calf, now about six weeks old. I have observed them sort of practicing with her, such as letting the calf explore their udder area and a good bit of their licking the calf. Mom doesn't seem to mind.

Last calf the Jersey had was about a heavy as she is at one-year old.

[JeffNY]

Just keep hands on with the calf, as much as possible. Because sometimes when they are with the mom, they will bond with the mother and keep their distance from us humans. I have seen this with the beef cows, even with calves born around us. I have also seen calves simply remain friendly regardless of being hands on.



Jeff