Post by Lannie on Mar 31, 2010 11:39:31 GMT -5
Fortunately, he didn't try to nurse this time. I mentioned in another thread that he'd gotten it out a week or so ago, and because he didn't try to nurse, I thought maybe he was weaned, until the next day when he accidentally ran into Bandit and a teat flopped in his face, and off he went! We got the bling back in that night, and it's been in ever since, but it's taken most of the week to convince Bandit to let down again. And then yesterday morning, when I went out to milk, Seven had his nose under there, trying to grab hold of a teat, but couldn't because the ring was in his way. I wasn't sure if that would be bad (she'd hold up) or good (she'd let down), but as it turned out, she let down so well yesterday morning that I got even more cream than usual. Same thing last night.
Then this morning, I went out, and there they all were standing in the corral, Seven with a completely naked nose! I didn't panic, and you would have been PROUD of me for how calm I stayed. I pretended that nothing was wrong and just quietly walked over to see if there was anything in Bandit's udder (there was), and then shooshed her in the gate and shut it. She let down well, and afterward, I put her in the pen and left the two kids outside. I did a cursory search for the nose ring, but it wasn't anywhere near the corral, so Rich and I will have to go on a search mission later. We have a spare one in case we can't find the missing one, so if push comes to shove, we can put the new one in when they come in tonight. I'm hoping that leaving Seven out with Cricket in the pasture where there's new green grass coming up will keep him occupied enough that he won't think of jumping over the pen fence to get INTO the pen with Bandit. I'll be checking on him throughout the day, just in case.
This whole weaning thing was so easy with Cricket, and it's been nothing but an uphill battle with Seven so far.
I feel like I just dodged a bullet.
~Lannie
Then this morning, I went out, and there they all were standing in the corral, Seven with a completely naked nose! I didn't panic, and you would have been PROUD of me for how calm I stayed. I pretended that nothing was wrong and just quietly walked over to see if there was anything in Bandit's udder (there was), and then shooshed her in the gate and shut it. She let down well, and afterward, I put her in the pen and left the two kids outside. I did a cursory search for the nose ring, but it wasn't anywhere near the corral, so Rich and I will have to go on a search mission later. We have a spare one in case we can't find the missing one, so if push comes to shove, we can put the new one in when they come in tonight. I'm hoping that leaving Seven out with Cricket in the pasture where there's new green grass coming up will keep him occupied enough that he won't think of jumping over the pen fence to get INTO the pen with Bandit. I'll be checking on him throughout the day, just in case.
This whole weaning thing was so easy with Cricket, and it's been nothing but an uphill battle with Seven so far.
I feel like I just dodged a bullet.
~Lannie