Clarabelle...Finally!
Clarabelle has finally calved! She gave birth to a bull calf this afternoon, we're guessing around 3:30 p.m.
I went to check on her at about 3:45, and she proudly presented me with an adorable, wet calf. He still can't stand, but keeps trying. We're keeping a close eye on mother and son, to make sure he is able to eat well (once he can stand, of course) and that she doesn't experience any difficulties following the birthing process. 12yo son and I managed to get a tube of calcium down her just now, and will watch to make sure she doesn't need more. We may go ahead and give her a second tube tomorrow morning, assuming it is not needed before then.
The birth of a Jersey calf is totally different than that of any of our Angus calves. The Angus cow (those at our place, at least) is much closer to a wild animal, and the protective mother-instinct becomes a danger to us humans when a newborn calf is present. Clarabelle, however, didn't flinch when we came near, and we have been busy petting her and the calf with no cause for alarm from her. Way different from the Angus cows!
We'd love to post pics of the fawn-like calf, but the rest of the family took the digicam with them this weekend to this farm, where they helped process about 230 chickens today. They will be there all weekend, helping with other projects and enjoying great fellowship, so pics won't be available until Monday, at the earliest.
This evening, 12yo son and I are taking the Mule (the kind with an engine) "downtown" to the annual tractor pull for a short while, between Clarabelle-checks.
We're looking forward to some good milk again soon!
Mary Susan
I went to check on her at about 3:45, and she proudly presented me with an adorable, wet calf. He still can't stand, but keeps trying. We're keeping a close eye on mother and son, to make sure he is able to eat well (once he can stand, of course) and that she doesn't experience any difficulties following the birthing process. 12yo son and I managed to get a tube of calcium down her just now, and will watch to make sure she doesn't need more. We may go ahead and give her a second tube tomorrow morning, assuming it is not needed before then.
The birth of a Jersey calf is totally different than that of any of our Angus calves. The Angus cow (those at our place, at least) is much closer to a wild animal, and the protective mother-instinct becomes a danger to us humans when a newborn calf is present. Clarabelle, however, didn't flinch when we came near, and we have been busy petting her and the calf with no cause for alarm from her. Way different from the Angus cows!
We'd love to post pics of the fawn-like calf, but the rest of the family took the digicam with them this weekend to this farm, where they helped process about 230 chickens today. They will be there all weekend, helping with other projects and enjoying great fellowship, so pics won't be available until Monday, at the earliest.
This evening, 12yo son and I are taking the Mule (the kind with an engine) "downtown" to the annual tractor pull for a short while, between Clarabelle-checks.
We're looking forward to some good milk again soon!
Mary Susan
posted by The Bradshaws at 5:15 PM
3 Comments:
Congratulations! We can't wait to see some photos. Sounds like y'all are having fun. A tractor pull sounds like a perfect way to spend the afternoon, too!
Love,
Trish
finally!! I know you all have been waiting on this for a while! Can't wait to see pictures! Missed you on Saturday!
Congratulations1!! I am glad it all went well. Looking forward to a picture of the little bull.
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