December is normally a good month for us on the farm. I'm hoping this year will be no exception. The weather
definitely has been in our favor! We always have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday and use the extra time of having everyone home to finish up most of our
pre-winter projects. We did just that this year. Steve was actually home the entire week and we completed quite a list.
Our cow tie up is finished and now in use. After just a couple of days the cows know which stanchion is theirs and go to their own space at night for their treat of grain. It is so much warmer in the barn in the morning and the smell is wonderful (if you love cows like I do :) Cows give off an incredible amount of heat especially when they are all close together. They all seem comfortable and I like knowing they are all in the barn at night.
Our milking cow, Jan, chose the stanchion to the right, which is directly to the left of our milking stall. Couldn't have worked out better. She is VERY pregnant and due to have her calf on/around December 9
th. We measured her with a tape the other night. She is 9 feet around!! I am, as always at calving time, crazy with excitement. For the last three years she has delivered heifer calves. She is bred to the same bull so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Can I get lucky another year? It will be fantastic to have our own milk again along with butter, cream, cheese, etc.
I will put her in a box stall at night starting today so she can move around freely and deliver her calf. Hopefully we will be there when that happens :) Everything has a name here. If you have a suggestion for a name, feel free to let me know :) I'll post the final choice with a newborn photo.
9 comments:
Jan's little Jolly
Wow, I love the picture of the pregnant cow next to the others. She is huge.
I hope you get another girl baby. I make yogurt, but would love to have a cow to make cheeses ect...
Have a wonderful day.
How about Buttercream! You did great the barn. Cow look happy! We still have so much pre winter things to get done and the cold weather is on its way with the snow:(
I love your collie. We've owned 3 collies in my lifetime. The first was Lassie and yes, I was 5 years old. The next two were tri color collies, Ellie and then Lizzie. All were wonderful dogs who I miss dearly.
Nine feet????? Wow!!! What a wonderful experience to be part of and I am so picturing fresh milk in an old-fashion glass milk jug with some cookies!! I am thinking on the name.....
I do like cow smell too, the cow that is--not the other. After they just finish eating fresh hay or grass, their breath smells so sweet and pure.
Belle, if it is a girl.
Billy Bob if it is a boy.
The cow tie up and stanchions look great!
Have a good day.
Pam
The barn is wonderful! You both did a great job. Do you only milk one cow? December 9th is far off now. Here's fingers crossed for another girl.
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com/
Wow...that's a big cow! Hope the birthing process is smooth. How about Jingle? I had to google the show stanchion thing since I'm not really a farm girl (just wish I was). Do they stay in them all night or just to eat? I must say your farm is very clean. It is very obvious you work hard and take wonderful care of your animals.
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