Post by mollymalone on May 1, 2016 16:36:24 GMT -5
Hi everyone,
I am brand new to cow ownership, my first little cow, Molly - a dexter, has been here for 5 days and this is my first experience with cows, so I'm about as new to all of this as can be! That being said, I raise sheep and goats and have tons of horse experience, so very comfortable with delivering lambs/kids, and working with big animals. I also have a few years of veterinary work under my belt. I've been doing loads of cow research, but of course - real life provides an entirely different education!
I have a few questions though that I would love some more experienced views on:
1. I've been reading past posts about calving and due dates - and I'm getting the impression that cows are not always overly punctual - is that correct? Usually my sheep and goats will birth within one to three days of their due date - but should I be prepared for significantly earlier/later with Molly?
2. Cow moods - my cow rather reminds me of a mare with her mood swings. I'm wondering if this is connected to her pregnancy, or if this is just life with cows? For example, this morning I was giving her a good brushing, and she was so relaxed that she lay right down at my feet like a big dog, and allowed me to sit with her and groom her for about half an hour, just chewing her cud and totally content. She didn't get up until I did. I went out a couple of hours later and she was grazing, and wanted absolutely nothing to do with me, nothing to do with the brush and ran away rather cheekily! I also realize I've only had her a few days and she is still getting to know me, but talk about night and day!
I think those are my main questions for now - but I know there will be more! Thanks
I am brand new to cow ownership, my first little cow, Molly - a dexter, has been here for 5 days and this is my first experience with cows, so I'm about as new to all of this as can be! That being said, I raise sheep and goats and have tons of horse experience, so very comfortable with delivering lambs/kids, and working with big animals. I also have a few years of veterinary work under my belt. I've been doing loads of cow research, but of course - real life provides an entirely different education!
I have a few questions though that I would love some more experienced views on:
1. I've been reading past posts about calving and due dates - and I'm getting the impression that cows are not always overly punctual - is that correct? Usually my sheep and goats will birth within one to three days of their due date - but should I be prepared for significantly earlier/later with Molly?
2. Cow moods - my cow rather reminds me of a mare with her mood swings. I'm wondering if this is connected to her pregnancy, or if this is just life with cows? For example, this morning I was giving her a good brushing, and she was so relaxed that she lay right down at my feet like a big dog, and allowed me to sit with her and groom her for about half an hour, just chewing her cud and totally content. She didn't get up until I did. I went out a couple of hours later and she was grazing, and wanted absolutely nothing to do with me, nothing to do with the brush and ran away rather cheekily! I also realize I've only had her a few days and she is still getting to know me, but talk about night and day!
I think those are my main questions for now - but I know there will be more! Thanks