New Calf this morning

[matt_man]

Went out at 3 am to check on Heart and she had her beautiful, tiny, feisty HEIFER waiting for me. All cleaned off and nearly dry. We had already decided to keep her if she was a heifer so our little herd has just grown.

I couldn't get the baby to nurse so went in to get my husband to help. When I came back about 15 minutes later, she was nursing away.

It is 3 am and dark but I will get better pics later this morning.

[cow whisperer]

CONGRATS!!!! !!!!! Isn't it great! We just had our very first calf born on our property Wednesday!

She is a real cutie!

[BlueHeronFarm]

She is adorable...lucky you! Looks like your cow is a good momma, too.

[matt_man]

She is our first calf also and I couldn't be more thrilled!!!! I couldn't sleep thinking that we was going to calve and I'd miss it. I thought for sure she would do it some time yesterday afternoon but she waited until I quit coming to look at her.

Rachel

[topside1]

Double Congratulations on a troublefree delivery and a healthy heifer...

[ozark_jewels]

Congrats!! She is beautiful.

[HazyDay]

Congrats so is so cute!

[LMonty]

Awesome, Rachel! A lovely little girl

BTW, Chocolate is doing great- my neighbor the cattle guy is really impressed with the two dexters we have... he said I should cut down on their feed a bit, since we dont dont want them to get too fat. Said they looked like they were ready to butcher. He was really impressed when I explained we arent feeding- they just get pasture and hay- and a handlful of cubes each day to keep them coming up so we can check them over each day. Was amazed at what "easy keepers" they are. He said he's looking forward to seeing how well they milk up and feed out a calf this summer.
I was really pleased at that since you know how the old cattle folks around here tend to be a bit dismissive of any but the common breeds- but these two dexters have raised a few eyebrows of interest around here. I'm looking forwardto getting a bull soem time in the fture, I wouldnt be surprised if he wants to use him on a few first calf heifers to see what he gets off them...

[Blossomgapfarm]

Oh how sweet! What a cute face. Congrats! (Our ewe that we have been waiting to deliver did the same thing to us last night - fun to get up [for us 4:30 to check on her] and find babies but disapointed to miss the delivery.) I know you were thrilled to get a girl!

[matt_man]

I am glad that Chocolate is doing so well. We never had a problem with her keeping on weight. I will look anxiously for pics of her first calf.

They went out to play yesterday evening:

[Texas_Plainsman]

Congratulations Matt. I think I told you but our cow freshend December 14th. You might consider separating the calf from the mother so you don't have more trouble later.

[matt_man]

We have separated them as we were having trouble with her letting down. Calf is doing great on the bottle and mom is milking like a champ.

Rachel

[topside1]

Great photos, they sure look happy & healthy.

[ozark_jewels]

Is Heart all Jersey?? Beautiful pictures.

[HazyDay]

What a good udder! Good looking pair!

[matt_man]

Emily- Heart is all Jersey and registered. She was bred to a mini-jersey/ Old World Jersey Munifordia's Gamboge. Heart is only 45" so I am hoping Lily will be a nice small jersey as well. She was probably only about 40 lbs at birth.

She has a really uniform/great udder IMO but I'm no expert. I am sure somebody could find flaws but her teat placement is nice and square, good size and length too. And for an almost 6 yr old, it is still nice and high/tight.

Rachel

[ozark_jewels]

Rachel, I asked because in those last two pictures she looks SO much like a 3/4 Jersey-1/4 Swiss I once owned. Guess its just the angle. She is a really pretty cow.