How to lose a calf in two minutes - FOUND!
May 26, 2019 11:12:03 GMT -5
nina and westxgrl13 like this
Post by Shawn on May 26, 2019 11:12:03 GMT -5
We had a terrible rain storm last night. Paprika, my halter broke, gentle as a lamb boss cow was due 3 days ago. I had zero concerns about her, she's an experienced calver and excellent mother. We left at 4:30 to attend a birthday party and I did not check anybody last night due to severe lightning.
This morning, I look out and the cows are coming in from the pasture and Paprika (MS/Angus) has a nice little light red heifer (Limousin sire) trailing behind her. All clean and dried and legs for days.
She takes her around through the deep mud and presents her to us at the milking gate. I asked DH to shut all doors out of the milking area, then I let Paprika in for some grain. She walks right in. I go out to shoo her calf around and she bolts into the calf creep, ramming into the far end and proceeds to try to climb out! Then DH opened the calf creep gate and she rockets through that, around the corner to where momma is but rammed right into the half door and popped it open and shoots right out the open door into the yard. By the time I get out there she is heading around the house. She never stopped. Around the house, across the front yard, across the road, through the electric we have set up on our neighbor's. Through the other side of the electric and across the little creek and poof, she's gone.
We took momma over on a halter and tried to look for her in various ways, but no luck. I'm hoping she's just laying down in the trees or tall grass and didn't plunge herself into the lake.
So I'm sure the adrenaline rush knocked her out for a good sleep, but I'm hopeful that in a couple hours she'll get hungry and bawl and we can get them back together.
So, here's the question. How can a cow bring her newborn to the barn, you let the calf into the barn and then lose it!?!
So your good thoughts are appreciated.
This morning, I look out and the cows are coming in from the pasture and Paprika (MS/Angus) has a nice little light red heifer (Limousin sire) trailing behind her. All clean and dried and legs for days.
She takes her around through the deep mud and presents her to us at the milking gate. I asked DH to shut all doors out of the milking area, then I let Paprika in for some grain. She walks right in. I go out to shoo her calf around and she bolts into the calf creep, ramming into the far end and proceeds to try to climb out! Then DH opened the calf creep gate and she rockets through that, around the corner to where momma is but rammed right into the half door and popped it open and shoots right out the open door into the yard. By the time I get out there she is heading around the house. She never stopped. Around the house, across the front yard, across the road, through the electric we have set up on our neighbor's. Through the other side of the electric and across the little creek and poof, she's gone.
We took momma over on a halter and tried to look for her in various ways, but no luck. I'm hoping she's just laying down in the trees or tall grass and didn't plunge herself into the lake.
So I'm sure the adrenaline rush knocked her out for a good sleep, but I'm hopeful that in a couple hours she'll get hungry and bawl and we can get them back together.
So, here's the question. How can a cow bring her newborn to the barn, you let the calf into the barn and then lose it!?!
So your good thoughts are appreciated.