Forgot about first muggings, er, milkings...

DroppedAtBirth · #1 05/26/12, 12:36 PM

He finally got here last night at 2330(ish) local time. Hid his gender for a minute (ran a hand back under him looking for "hanging parts" before we got the flashlight turned on him and thought "HEIFER!" followed by a very insulted sounding little grunt from the little guy lol). Went out this morning for Mama's first mugging, er, milking, and was reminded about several points....mama's like to know their baby's are ok, leave the dumb dogs locked up somewhere tighter than the back yard (they get out at the most inopportune times and are very curious about new baby much to mama's displeasure), don't put the grain out until ready to actually start milking and after the washing is done, that first udder wash is NOT appreciated by mama, and those first couple of minutes with each quadrant is NOT appreciated, and cows are wonderfully accurate with their tails and can smack you in the face soundly with the slimiest, smelliest, greenest part. Oh, and if she has to have that calcium tube shoved in her face, then I should feel obligated to taste some too, after all, it's the least I could do to sympathize (and the price for being nice and not waking up someone to help me dose her)

However post mugged by the calf, bruised wrist and pride, and a hefty dose of humility for my week, We are back in the house with pics, coffee, and 2 gallons of colostrum (not counting the quite probable half gallon left on the barn floor that the cats were happy to clean up).

Dreamfarm · #2 05/26/12, 01:35 PM

What a cutie!

CJBegins · #3 05/26/12, 01:41 PM

Sounds like you had a grand ole time. I tie my cows tails to their legs. I hate being hit with a dirty tail.

Baby boy is a cutie!

G. Seddon · #4 05/26/12, 02:42 PM

Very cute baby....Jersey? Congratulations!

DroppedAtBirth · #5 05/26/12, 07:37 PM

Yes, his mama is jersey, bull was a red angus via A.I. I'm thinking he is Mama's 3rd or 4th calf as she is 5 now. I'm just learning this milk cow thing. I had goats years ago and was honestly laughing hard and out loud at myself for all of my mistakes by the time I came back inside this morning. When I listed them for the other half, he laughed at me too. The tail flicking was new but I'm pretty sure I can remember all of the other issues (including the "if I have to taste that nasty medicine, you should too" except goats are sooooooo much smaller).

Incidently will COB with peas and free access to knee deep clover grass pasture have her covered for good calcium intake? Also has free choice loose salt with a good focus on selenium (we used to give the goats BoSe injections but I haven't heard of anyone in the area injecting their cattle). We are an area heavy with beef breeds, low on the dairy breeds and a good jersey is even harder to find.

DroppedAtBirth · #6 05/26/12, 07:44 PM

Oh! pasture is maybe 3 to 5 acres, our whole place is only 14 so this is the size of our "pastures." I know for most of you all, that would be a pen

she and the calf are the only ones in there though.

DamnearaFarm · #7 05/26/12, 09:00 PM

Pictures of the incident?

lol

allenslabs · #8 05/26/12, 09:24 PM

Thanks for the laugh! LOL!

DroppedAtBirth · #9 05/26/12, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RamblinRoseRanc

Pictures of the incident?

lol

ROFL! I wish there had been a barn cam out there hehe. I'd have had money from one of those funniest video shows. Still pics would have been awesome too (woulda meant an extra hand for helping with the meds).

G. Seddon · #10 05/27/12, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DroppedAtBirth

Incidently will COB with peas and free access to knee deep clover grass pasture have her covered for good calcium intake? Also has free choice loose salt with a good focus on selenium (we used to give the goats BoSe injections but I haven't heard of anyone in the area injecting their cattle). We are an area heavy with beef breeds, low on the dairy breeds and a good jersey is even harder to find.

Sorry, can't advise you about the calcium. I do give our newborn calves Bo-Se and Vital E as soon as they're dry though. Seems to make a difference; we're in a low selenium area.