It's a bull!

[Oatbran]

We just had our first calf. Luckily our Dexter Effie is an experienced mother to make up for our short fall. But I had a couple of questions that she couldn't answer when I asked her.

She gave birth under a stand of pine trees and right in the middle of a fresh cow pie (even though we had the barn all cleaned out for her -- go figure). The little calf was covered in poop and pine needles. I didn't want him to get any messier than he already was so carried him to the barn where Effie dutifully (doodie-full-y?) licked him clean. Will I need to worry about parasites? She's never been wormed (10 years old) and we'd rather not start now, but we'll do what's best for her.

I had expected her to eat the afterbirth, but she didn't touch it as far as I can tell. Should I be worried that she didn't get those nutrients back? Is this a sign of something wrong?

Any other advice?

Thanks. You guys are great!

[G3farms]

she probably didn't eat the after birth since you made her leave the birthing site, but not all cows will eat it either.