Post by Deleted on Feb 27, 2005 10:22:01 GMT -5
We drove 745 miles (round trip) last saturday to get Betty Moo. (1/2 jersey-1/2 dexter, due to freshen in the next month or so) The folks we got Betty Moo from had some lovely dexters. (didn't get to see Betty Moo's mom, she is being milked and was at their house) She's not been fooled with much, just running with the dexters, but she loaded pretty easy (he'd already penned her up before we got there) When we got home, the neighbors (bless their hearts) had gotten me a light up above her stall, had it all hayed and ready. She rode well (we had a flat on the trailer, in Nashville. She just sort of stood and watched us change it LOL) She unloaded well and with all of us herding her, got her bedded down for the night. I went out to a rather angry, confussed cow the next morning. Head down, shaking her horns, pawing dirt-throwing rocks. Needless to say, I didn't try to touch her 
. That first day had me REALLY worried. It wasn't a fun time getting her back in the stall that night (oh and the goats were totally terrified of her. Betty Moo, being lonely kept chasing after them bawling and they all fled and hid) I did get here to eat some grain out of a bucket that night (had to sit the bucket on the ground and get out of the stall before she'd eat) Things got a little better each day (at least she quit pooping in disgust at the mere sight of me ;D ;D ;D ) We started getting our routine down (she isn't allowed into the pasture, just the barn yard area) The neighbor (would never make it without them) came over and played rodeo Friday night. Got a halter on her and a drag line. We were all shocked at how little she fought. She didn't kick, didn't scream, didn't try to hook him. I was able to grab the rope, work up to the halter and lightly scratch her head while she ate. (we're not sure of her due date -she was pasture bred, but he felt of her, said her calf is pretty big and while she's getting an udder, it's not filling in----which I'm glad about, want everyday I can get to work with her) Messed with her a lot the last 3 days. She's calmed down a lot. She's starting to take a couple steps forward when I pull (instead of digging in) I can also rub her head, her neck and such (last night she got where she'd raise her head up out of the grain bucket and chew while I scratched) this morning I actually got brave and rubbed her sides, down to her belly (pushed an got the calf to push back) I'm finally beginning to get hopeful that she'll tame down enough to milk (without having a twice daily rodeo LOL) She's much prettier then her pics. Lovely jersey looking head, legs (actually it's hard to see the dexter influence, except her height -40 inches at her hipbone, she's just turned 2, so she still might get a bit taller won't she?) her color looks black (at least in her winter coat) BUT her legs, along her back and parts of her face are turning a rich chocolate brown, Might she shed out dark brown? (which is fine, hubby bought her for me for valentine's day, choc would be fitting LOL) Going to build her a milking stanchion (thanks midge) and me a stool this week. Any suggestions or thoughts on what else I should be doing to tame her down? The halter has turned her into a different cow. Not a single head shake, no more pawing (that actually only lasted a couple days) The goats (and the chickens, and the barn cat LOL) have all gotten use to her and life is back to normal. She has been around dogs, but my dogs haven't been around cows (so they are still only getting to go into the barn when she's in the stall) She is interested in them (and doesn't seem frightened or annoyed by them) she comes up to the dog yard and looks at them during the day (one side of the barn yard is connected to my backyard area) Don't want to do anything to give us a bonding set back, but don't want to miss doing something I should be doing, just out of newbie dumbness.
susie- off to haul more water, cows drink a LOT more then goats LOL
. That first day had me REALLY worried. It wasn't a fun time getting her back in the stall that night (oh and the goats were totally terrified of her. Betty Moo, being lonely kept chasing after them bawling and they all fled and hid) I did get here to eat some grain out of a bucket that night (had to sit the bucket on the ground and get out of the stall before she'd eat) Things got a little better each day (at least she quit pooping in disgust at the mere sight of me ;D ;D ;D ) We started getting our routine down (she isn't allowed into the pasture, just the barn yard area) The neighbor (would never make it without them) came over and played rodeo Friday night. Got a halter on her and a drag line. We were all shocked at how little she fought. She didn't kick, didn't scream, didn't try to hook him. I was able to grab the rope, work up to the halter and lightly scratch her head while she ate. (we're not sure of her due date -she was pasture bred, but he felt of her, said her calf is pretty big and while she's getting an udder, it's not filling in----which I'm glad about, want everyday I can get to work with her) Messed with her a lot the last 3 days. She's calmed down a lot. She's starting to take a couple steps forward when I pull (instead of digging in) I can also rub her head, her neck and such (last night she got where she'd raise her head up out of the grain bucket and chew while I scratched) this morning I actually got brave and rubbed her sides, down to her belly (pushed an got the calf to push back) I'm finally beginning to get hopeful that she'll tame down enough to milk (without having a twice daily rodeo LOL) She's much prettier then her pics. Lovely jersey looking head, legs (actually it's hard to see the dexter influence, except her height -40 inches at her hipbone, she's just turned 2, so she still might get a bit taller won't she?) her color looks black (at least in her winter coat) BUT her legs, along her back and parts of her face are turning a rich chocolate brown, Might she shed out dark brown? (which is fine, hubby bought her for me for valentine's day, choc would be fitting LOL) Going to build her a milking stanchion (thanks midge) and me a stool this week. Any suggestions or thoughts on what else I should be doing to tame her down? The halter has turned her into a different cow. Not a single head shake, no more pawing (that actually only lasted a couple days) The goats (and the chickens, and the barn cat LOL) have all gotten use to her and life is back to normal. She has been around dogs, but my dogs haven't been around cows (so they are still only getting to go into the barn when she's in the stall) She is interested in them (and doesn't seem frightened or annoyed by them) she comes up to the dog yard and looks at them during the day (one side of the barn yard is connected to my backyard area) Don't want to do anything to give us a bonding set back, but don't want to miss doing something I should be doing, just out of newbie dumbness.susie- off to haul more water, cows drink a LOT more then goats LOL
