Post by Lannie on Oct 14, 2021 14:45:13 GMT -5
Yeah, my gut is usually right. She was in labor this morning at 9:00 when I went out to feed, and I spent the better part of 3 hours watching her and following her around, waiting for feet or something (she had a little bit of water bag out, but that was it),and finally made use of the Call A Cow Friend to freak out on Debbie Lincoln and Susaq.
When I got off the phone, I went back out and Cricket was cleaning off a dead calf. Deader than yesterday's breakfast. My heart is broken, but I guess it happens, it's just this is my first one. Most likely why I was feeling something was "off." It was in the "birthing" position, but already stiffening, which is probably why she was having trouble getting it out. I'm thinking it died yesterday? I don't know why, but that's what I think. But luckily it IS out. I say "it" because it was lying belly down and I didn't get close enough to check gender. Cricket was pretty emotional at the time, and naturally, Maggie was out there with me, making Cricket nervous (she even went after one of the CATS!), so I'm giving her time to grieve. It's so sad because it's a beautiful black calf with a little white blaze, white muzzle, and white feet. Gifts of chrome from Cricket. I'm so sad I won't see this one grow up.
Later today I'll see if I can get her in the barn to feed her and milk some colostrum for the freezer, then I think just in case, I'll give her a bottle of CMPK. I'm depressed enough without having to worry about her going down with milk fever.
I have feelers out for a foster calf to put on her, and there might be one (not born yet) so cross your fingers for me. The cow that's probably (but not for sure) pregnant is a cull cow from the bull neighbor, and has a date with the butcher in early December, so he said he'd preg check her when he gets home from Rapid City tonight and if she's for-sure pregnant, he'll give us her calf and send her on to the butcher. IF she's bred, it was an accident, so he doesn't know when the calf would be due, but she's making a bag, so he thinks maybe soon. (I hope.)
This has been a happy/sad day for sure. At least I'll have milk again, but to lose the calf like this, it's kind of a blow to the gut.
When I got off the phone, I went back out and Cricket was cleaning off a dead calf. Deader than yesterday's breakfast. My heart is broken, but I guess it happens, it's just this is my first one. Most likely why I was feeling something was "off." It was in the "birthing" position, but already stiffening, which is probably why she was having trouble getting it out. I'm thinking it died yesterday? I don't know why, but that's what I think. But luckily it IS out. I say "it" because it was lying belly down and I didn't get close enough to check gender. Cricket was pretty emotional at the time, and naturally, Maggie was out there with me, making Cricket nervous (she even went after one of the CATS!), so I'm giving her time to grieve. It's so sad because it's a beautiful black calf with a little white blaze, white muzzle, and white feet. Gifts of chrome from Cricket. I'm so sad I won't see this one grow up.
Later today I'll see if I can get her in the barn to feed her and milk some colostrum for the freezer, then I think just in case, I'll give her a bottle of CMPK. I'm depressed enough without having to worry about her going down with milk fever.
I have feelers out for a foster calf to put on her, and there might be one (not born yet) so cross your fingers for me. The cow that's probably (but not for sure) pregnant is a cull cow from the bull neighbor, and has a date with the butcher in early December, so he said he'd preg check her when he gets home from Rapid City tonight and if she's for-sure pregnant, he'll give us her calf and send her on to the butcher. IF she's bred, it was an accident, so he doesn't know when the calf would be due, but she's making a bag, so he thinks maybe soon. (I hope.)
This has been a happy/sad day for sure. At least I'll have milk again, but to lose the calf like this, it's kind of a blow to the gut.