Sissy just had her baby today!

Karen in Alabam · #1 01/30/12, 09:32 PM

Its a girl and her name is Judi Mae. She was born just before 4pm and so I was losing light to take pictures. I went out later to feed Sissy and baby was up having a good time nursing.

I do have a question now--when should I attempt to milk Sissy?

Thanks

**gone-a-milkin** · #2 01/30/12, 09:43 PM

Oh gosh, I love the pic of both of their faces together.

I would probably milk her sometime tomorrow, though she could wait another day or 2 and still be just fine.

Better to get a routine started before she really comes into her milk.

Congrats on the heifer.

shanzone2001 · #3 01/30/12, 09:45 PM

Those pictures are absolutely priceless...especially the last two!
What kind are they? Congratulations!

Karen in Alabam · #4 01/30/12, 09:47 PM

I was bringing her into the barn and feeding her while I was milking Yo.

She would let me brush her and touch her--after some resistance, but the last few days she didn't want me touching her down there--so I figured it was uncomfortable, because she never swiped before, just walked in circles.

I was planning on letting her out of the barn tomorrow after everyone ate--should I leave her in for a few days?

Karen in Alabam · #5 01/30/12, 09:48 PM

Sissy is Jersey/Guernsey

The father is supposed to have been a Jersey.

She seems to have a long face, I didn't notice that too much on my angus that was just born last week.

**gone-a-milkin** · #6 01/30/12, 09:53 PM

If you think she will be fine out with her calf, why not?

As long as she will come back in the barn for milking.

In general, it is cleaner for all involved if they spend less time inside.
Did you iodine the calf's navel?
We have some flies here. In January even.

allenslabs · #7 01/30/12, 10:07 PM

SO CUTE!!!!! As for milking....I was told by those who know more than me (2 old jersey farmers that have been doing it longer than I've been alive), it is good to leave the momma for 2-3 days before you try to get much out of the udder and if you do just enough for the calf. It causes less of a pull on the body to create milk, therefore take calcium and therefore possibly cause a drain on her body which is where milk fever comes in. Just a thought.
Oh man....so very very adorable!!!

Karen in Alabam · #8 01/30/12, 10:42 PM

no, on the iodine--now you tell me

Karen in Alabam · #9 01/30/12, 10:46 PM

My angus calved 5 days ago and that baby is fine. He runs and jumps all the time. She is the same age as Sissy and this is the 2nd calf for both of them.

Baby was up nursing when I checked on them a couple of hours after the pictures (I had to go inside for a while, she hadn't gotten up before I left), I had to get her more hay, because Yo and Charlie ate all the extra I brought. So Sissy got up and the baby got up pretty easily (she is an old pro now).

**gone-a-milkin** · #10 01/30/12, 10:47 PM

Oh, it will probably be okay at this time of the year.
Dont stress too much.
It is a good habit to have though.
Such an easy and preventative thing.
You could do it tomorrow.

springvalley · #11 01/30/12, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by allenslabs

SO CUTE!!!!! As for milking....I was told by those who know more than me (2 old jersey farmers that have been doing it longer than I've been alive), it is good to leave the momma for 2-3 days before you try to get much out of the udder and if you do just enough for the calf. It causes less of a pull on the body to create milk, therefore take calcium and therefore possibly cause a drain on her body which is where milk fever comes in. Just a thought.
Oh man....so very very adorable!!!

I have said this myself for years, and no one seemed to believe me, but people this is for sure the truth. And Karen, I love the photos, the fourth one needs to be on a calendar. > Thanks Marc

Cheryl aka JM · #12 01/31/12, 07:05 AM

OH! TOO Cute!! And so nice of her to have that baby during this nice warm stretch we are having too. If all looks good I'd let them out, the weather in North Alabama is great today and as mentioned before....the less time the spend inside the less you have to scoop up and put outside!
Congrats!

Karen in Alabam · #13 01/31/12, 08:42 AM

Last night I worried, it got down in the 40s, thought it might get colder, so went to check on her, covered her up with a lap blanket my grandmother made. Got up early to check on her.

Sissy was pitching a fit that she got fed last.

I did manage to milk her some. She was a little kicky, so I have this homemade fence that was in the barn, so I leaned it against her and she finally let me milk. She would swipe a few times but I told her no, and she seemed to submit.

Part way through, she swiped the foot and hit the bucket, that freaked her out and she went at it until she knocked it out of my hand--I couldn't get it out because of that fence I put up.

So all in all, I only milked maybe 3 pints. I only could reach one side of her anyway. So I think she did really well for the first time. I gave the milk to Bones. I tried a teaspoon full and it was kind of bitter.

I wasn't planning on putting the calf up at this point. She was just laying there in the barn, then after they were done and most of the others had wandered off (which reminds me Yo is still in the back yard--can't milk her in the barn--its not that big). I let them out.

One other thing, she has a poopy butt--looks dried on, should I do something about that or will Sissy?

Sissy just had her baby today! - Cattle

loislanefl · #14 01/31/12, 01:03 PM

Congrats! Beautiful calf. And it looks like she takes after the Guernsey side of things based on her nose and around her eyes, so that is great! (to me anyway....lol)

tonyb · #15 02/02/12, 10:42 AM

That's what I'd call bright eyed and bushy tailed. Wish I felt like that when I rolled out of bed every morning. Beyond the "subject" of the pictures, my wife and I were admiring the high quality of these photos last night. Very nice.

DJ in WA · #16 02/02/12, 09:31 PM

Great looking pair!

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonyb

That's what I'd call bright eyed and bushy tailed. Wish I felt like that when I rolled out of bed every morning. Beyond the "subject" of the pictures, my wife and I were admiring the high quality of these photos last night. Very nice.

Yep, it's like a whole nuther world with good photography. Makes you feel like you're there.

65284 · #17 02/03/12, 04:50 PM

Karen, if you think her kicking the bucket was interesting just wait until she manages to get a foot INTO the bucket, you haven't seen her pitch a fit like she will when that happens.

lonelyfarmgirl · #18 02/03/12, 05:48 PM

Congratulations, she is cute!

We also have a new calf. Bull calf born this morning. He is 1/8 holstein, the rest highlander. Second time mom who lost her first calf. This was her make it or break it day, and boy did she make it!

Karen in Alabam · #19 02/03/12, 06:52 PM

Congratulations Lonelyfarmgirl,

Sissy has been doing really well with the milking.

Today I put a rock in her bowl because she eats too fast (my sister told me to do that).

She hasn't tried to kick the bucket or me the last few times. I am very pleased at that.

allenslabs · #20 02/03/12, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by springvalley

I have said this myself for years, and no one seemed to believe me, but people this is for sure the truth. And Karen, I love the photos, the fourth one needs to be on a calendar. > Thanks Marc

Unfortunately Marc, these old farmers around here only told me that after they'd asked how my cow was doing and I told them about her and the milk fever. They said it as though they were amazed I didn't know that already.

But, I guess I didn't ask the right questions at the right times. Live and learn I guess.