Post by mazurzoo on Dec 2, 2007 21:56:20 GMT -5
I posted a thread earlier titled " Are we in labor". Well we were!
We were out in the barn all day working on the barn, as its not really done yet. Then we came in at 4:30/5:00 to take a break, and watch a movie with our kids. At 5:45 I sent my daughter out to check on Bella before we started the movie. She came in and said that I better come look, because Bella was trying to lay down and would get back up again, and did this several times. She also said her udder seamed even bigger. So I said ok, I will look one last time before the movie just to be sure. She ran back out to the barn as she was still dressed, I was only 2 min behind her, as I needed to put on boots and a coat. By the time I got out there, the calf was already on the ground being licked! My daughter Becky did get to see it born! She also got to name the calf because she was the hero that announced true labor.
She named the calf Stormy, as we have had just in this weekend, snow, ice and rain storms! Like I said its a heifer!
I have to give thanks to the Lord God for working these details out so perfectly. We have really been very busy trying to get this barn somewhat suitable, then we had a family party yesterday, ect...This really was perfect timing! I am sad I missed the birth. Many of our share holders wanted us to call them so they could see the birth as well. But I am so thankful that it was born so easily, and didnt require any arm reaching "up there" !
So now the cry for HELP!!!
Ok, its pretty cold, probably in the upper 30's, rainy and damp. We have a kerosene blower heater we can set up. But its really not too safe. The calf is w/ mom, and has been licked off. Should we leave that heater on all night, or can the calf be safely warm with just mom. I am really worried about this. We do have the heater out of the pen, the worry is there is still a breeze that comes thru, and what if some straw blows near the heater? So if the calf can be ok with out it, then we'll just turn it off.
Another question: The baby is really tall, and the udder is a very deep/low udder. I did get it to nurse about 30-45 min after birth, but the calf didnt seem really strong. We had to hold the back end up, or it would just lay and suck. None of this super vigorous sucking I read about in KFC. So I am worried about this too. We do plan on leaving the calf w/ mom for 3 days then seperating, that way it gets love and colostrum. Is it possible that the baby can be TOO tall or udder too low and that the calf wont be able to nurse on its own?
BTW, Bella did eat the afterbirth, I watched
Woa is me, I am so worried that I am not going to do things right, I have totally forgotten everything I had read!!! I have read KFC calving section twice in the last 2 weeks just to prepare and I still dont remember anything!!! So anymore advice? What else do I need to do?
Oh, pics!
The one above is Becky, she named the calf and got to watch the birth!
We were out in the barn all day working on the barn, as its not really done yet. Then we came in at 4:30/5:00 to take a break, and watch a movie with our kids. At 5:45 I sent my daughter out to check on Bella before we started the movie. She came in and said that I better come look, because Bella was trying to lay down and would get back up again, and did this several times. She also said her udder seamed even bigger. So I said ok, I will look one last time before the movie just to be sure. She ran back out to the barn as she was still dressed, I was only 2 min behind her, as I needed to put on boots and a coat. By the time I got out there, the calf was already on the ground being licked! My daughter Becky did get to see it born! She also got to name the calf because she was the hero that announced true labor.
She named the calf Stormy, as we have had just in this weekend, snow, ice and rain storms! Like I said its a heifer!
I have to give thanks to the Lord God for working these details out so perfectly. We have really been very busy trying to get this barn somewhat suitable, then we had a family party yesterday, ect...This really was perfect timing! I am sad I missed the birth. Many of our share holders wanted us to call them so they could see the birth as well. But I am so thankful that it was born so easily, and didnt require any arm reaching "up there" !
So now the cry for HELP!!!
Ok, its pretty cold, probably in the upper 30's, rainy and damp. We have a kerosene blower heater we can set up. But its really not too safe. The calf is w/ mom, and has been licked off. Should we leave that heater on all night, or can the calf be safely warm with just mom. I am really worried about this. We do have the heater out of the pen, the worry is there is still a breeze that comes thru, and what if some straw blows near the heater? So if the calf can be ok with out it, then we'll just turn it off.
Another question: The baby is really tall, and the udder is a very deep/low udder. I did get it to nurse about 30-45 min after birth, but the calf didnt seem really strong. We had to hold the back end up, or it would just lay and suck. None of this super vigorous sucking I read about in KFC. So I am worried about this too. We do plan on leaving the calf w/ mom for 3 days then seperating, that way it gets love and colostrum. Is it possible that the baby can be TOO tall or udder too low and that the calf wont be able to nurse on its own?
BTW, Bella did eat the afterbirth, I watched
Woa is me, I am so worried that I am not going to do things right, I have totally forgotten everything I had read!!! I have read KFC calving section twice in the last 2 weeks just to prepare and I still dont remember anything!!! So anymore advice? What else do I need to do?
Oh, pics!
The one above is Becky, she named the calf and got to watch the birth!