Post by thystledown on Feb 15, 2018 10:27:45 GMT -5
Not an emergency!! She's up and only cuts and scrapes the worse for it. However, this is that big clumsy Guernsey. We got sick of cleaning a filthy box stall twice a day (this cow is huge--over 60 inches tall), so we put her in the stanchion for her over-night separation from the calves. The stanchion is the old fashioned type. We replaced tie stalls with the stanchions (less hay wasted with stanchions because they can't pull it through under their feet) and sized these for the Guernsey because everything else is Jersey sized. We lengthened the bottom chain so she'd have lunge room even if she laid down way far forward. We checked her every few hours the first night. she got up and down fine. Second night, she got cast. I've used the same stanchions (with shorter beds) with all the beef cows and our Jersey for three years with no problem. This cow is a wonder. Hubby was alone and got her pulled out. She was waiting for help. She crawled on her knees over the gutter and on to the barn floor. She was finally able to heave herself up. Hubby hosed her off--she was a mess. Treated her abrasions. Milked her (only got a gallon). And turned her in with her babies. The thing is, these aren't even solid wooden stanchions like one sees in the old barns around here. These hang from chains giving a bit more lunge room. Watching her get up in a box stall even, I was worried. She is so awkward. But still, it's not like stanchions don't have generations of use. Oh, and rubber mats and straw under her--so not slippery. just wanted to share more of my frustration with this poor beastie. She's a sweet tempered animal. Just as nice as any cow could ever be--but we sure do have challenges.