New Calf Today (Dexter)

[georgiarebel]

We had another calf today. (heifer we think) Seems to be doing fine. It's been walking around and nursing (trying to see if it's getting milk). Hopefully it'll make it though the night ok we're expecting temperatures in the 20's tonight.

[Up North]

Nice pictures. I still can't get over that there are parts of this country that are greening up now.

Last night we talked a first time cow owner through the birth of their first calf. They also have a dexter. They ended up bringing the calf in the house to dry off since there is still over a foot of snow here. Of course the cow couldn't have the calf in her nice shelter. She went off to the fartherst away spot she could to have the baby in the brush. DH is going to check on the new arrival now.

Heather

[Donna from Mo]

As long as the calf was dry, twenties won't hurt it.

[genebo]

Is this heifer out of Bevin, by Ryder? She's pretty.

Genebo
Paradise Farm
Church Road, VA

[pasotami]

Congrads, beautiful calf!

[georgiarebel]

Originally Posted by genebo

Is this heifer out of Bevin, by Ryder? She's pretty.

Genebo
Paradise Farm
Church Road, VA

Gene,

It's actually Blair's first calf we've had here.

Below is Bevins latest calf. He's growing fast.





How's the farm doing up there?

[YuccaFlatsRanch]

She looks like a red. What color was she bred to?? Nice plump little calf.

[georgiarebel]

Originally Posted by YuccaFlatsRanch

She looks like a red. What color was she bred to?? Nice plump little calf.

Thanks, she was bred with a Dun bull. Although we do have a Red Bull that we're very proud of.

[genebo]

That's great that she's out of Blair. Is she for sale?

Bevin's little bull looks like he has on his winter coat. He looks soft and fluffy.

Genebo
Paradise Farm
Church Road, VA

[georgiarebel]

Gene,

We're glad to see her doing well too since she lost her last one. (She's a proud mama too) The calf has been spunky, jumping and playing, getting its legs under it.

We'll probably wait until she's weaned until we make a decision to sell her. Being that she our first heifer born on the farm we might keep her. We've only dropped bulls so far.

They should be getting ready to shed those winter coats before long. Didn't think we were going to have a winter this year, but we've had some cold weather of late. Hopefully it's the last hoorah until next year.

[Judith]

Ok this is going to sound like a dumb question but how the heck did you get your wire so perfect on your t posts? I love the look of that type of fence but never did it because I always see a really saggy mess. Yours looks great! Do you have wood posts as well to stretch it better? Come on now what is your secret????

[georgiarebel]

Judith,

Not a dumb question at all, I had the same concerns before I stated. Once I had the fence nailed to the corner post I hooked a fence stretcher up to my tractor and pulled the fence as tight as possible until I could hear the wind whistle through it. Then I let it rest for about 20 minutes and then pulled the remaining slack. While it was still tight on the tractor I nailed it to the other post. I then worked my way down putting t-post clips on each post. When I let the tension off the tractor the t-post and clips work together to keep it taunt. Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.

GR

[Judith]

It looks great! You did a really nice job. You let it rest for 20 minutes? Does this help it to stretch out a bit more? What kind of corner bracing did you use? When I see a fence that nice I really want to try it for myself. Pretty tired of having all of my wood posts eaten by the animals. Costs a small fortune How far apart are the t posts?

[georgiarebel]

Judith,

Thanks! Yes by letting it rest allows you to stretch in that extra few inches to make it tighter. I used old railroad ties braced with 4x4's for my post. I spaced my t-post about 10-11 feet apart. I've had my bull jump the fence a couple of times, so a hot wire along the top is next in line.

GR

[Judith]

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer! I really appreciate it. I have a fence to build

[65284]

Originally Posted by Judith

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer! I really appreciate it. I have a fence to build

If you want tight fences consider the extra expense of reel tensioners and springs like they use on high tensile fencing. I used the gaucho type barb wire, strung it then tightened it with the tensioner and the spring keeps it tight. Just clipped off the barbs where it wraps around the reel and it works great. My fences still look good afer 20+ years. If it sags it's only been a little, and it's not that much work to unclip and tighten it one wire at a time or as needed. To me that's much easier, faster, and safer than trying to stretch it.

[OregonGuys]

Originally Posted by georgiarebel

Judith,

Thanks! Yes by letting it rest allows you to stretch in that extra few inches to make it tighter.

GR

The resting before additional stretching works well for us too. Also, doing it in the heat of a hot day can help a little. Sometimes we do most of the work in the cool morning, then stretch and wait for the heat, then stretch some more, wait a bit, stretch more, then staple while it's quite warm. After it's all stapled down and things cool off (and shrink) it seems to be even tighter.