[HappyHippy]

My two wee coo's are off to the abattoir tomorrow 
Jack and Molly are pedigree Shetlands and were the first cows I've had that were 'mine' (dad had 100 head of suckler cattle when I was wee, so have been round them all my life - but never owned any  ) Jack had been abandoned by his mum at birth, bottle reared and as a result thought of himself as an overgrown Labrador  You could shout him, he'd answer with a moo and when you shouted for the second time he'd come galloping up to see you for a scratch or to be told what a handsome boy he was. 

When they arrived initially the plan was that Jack would go in the freezer and Molly would be our 'house cow' so let me milk her, make butter, cheese etc and provide regular offspring......it's not quite worked out like that 
She's a NIGHTMARE and has spent more than 50% of her time here, actually on my next door neighbours ground with his cows! She ran with the herd as a calf, so knows she's a cow and while Jack is happy on his own or with pony/donkey for company she feels the need to be amongst a big herd and regularly jumps fences, gates and hedges to get to where she wants to be !
We nicknamed her meandering Molly, because she just won't be contained! However, she's contained tonight  We've got her in a pen in the shed, blocked all potential escape routes and will be quite happy to load her onto the trailer in the morning (assuming she doesn't go up over the side rails on the trailer and make an attempt for freedom  )

I'm just about to do their movement forms and am welling up at the thought of it.......I've always managed to 'keep the heid' when it's pigs that are going off (even special pigs) but I just know I'm going to be in bits tomorrow when there's no moo waiting for me at the gate and no big black and white butt to scratch 
Even the thought of lots of lovely home raised beef isn't making me feel any better.......I'm such a wuss 

Thanks for listening 

[SallyintNorth]

 

You know all the stuff about "You gave him a great life" and all that.  But he was a real character (I met him just before he came to you) so of course you will miss him.  And coos really do get under one's skin...

You clearly have room for 2 Shetlands... so what's the plan?

[langfauld easycare]

  a shame but  nothing worse than a beast that wont stay where its ment to had a bullock like that a few years ago (red) as in red rum pain in the ****. got a young simmy x heifer that would make a nice cow but she is similar so will go of the grass at backend . bullock really has to go at some point anyway pity there personalitys werent switched . i feel your pain but for the best  . get another two and start again 

[HappyHippy]

I know Sally, I just love him 
Thanks Langfauld  I know I'm doing the 'right' thing - it's not good for the breed or the keepers to have slightly mad cows being bred from.......the amount of times I've wished their sexes could be switched is unreal - Jack would be a great house cow 

There isn't a plan.......well, not really 
Our new neighbours next door (super friendly, normal country people  ) have a couple of 'Danish Jerseys'  ? (they look like paler, beefier jerseys - so maybe a cross with something?) with calves at foot which are going to keep on top of the grass in the 'cow field' and since they only have one calf each and plenty of grass I've been told I can go and milk them if I want  (their udders are mahoosive, so I'll be doing them a favour apparently !) so for the moment I'm going to concentrate on those ones, see how I go and just wait and see if anything comes along 

Quite like the look of Luing cattle  and I do have good winter housing so I don't think a Jersey would be out of the question either.........but for the moment, I'm not buying any more (that's the plan  we'll see what happens 

[langfauld easycare]

one calf on a jersey sounds like trouble,i think u will be doin them and the beasts a favour . i think the danish is just there improved version a bit like canadian hereford or angus . prob beefier coz only feeding 1 calf .they were shipping quite a few over here . i have a right soft spot for jerseys ......and a right soft middle from drinking there milk  . best of luck and keep chin up for tomorrow

[Rosemary]

Don't give up on the Shetlands - I have tame ones, as you know and hopefully, I'll have some to sell next year 

[shygirl]

it reminds me of when my 2 heifers eloped to the neighbours field to join their herd, they had crossed the river and ditch and a walked a fair way. there were happy as larry in a field of 50 bullocks with lovely sweet grass. i was mortified. but luckily its only been once. my bull has been told if he ever considers moving farms then hes away so far he just stands guard at the fence and watches the other cattle. 
mine are more settled now there are 7 of them, the herd instinct is strong.

feeling for you today 

[waterbuffalofarmer]

I feel sad whenever I have to send et ram lambs to the slaughter. I hope all goes well

[Victorian Farmer]

Eney good stock  man will get attached some time?  You have to move on ......all the best for today .

[HappyHippy]

Well, they're gone 

Poor buggers behaved perfectly, loaded, unloaded and went where they were supposed to without problems (without sounding completely mental, it's easier to let go if they do something naughty at the end  )

Thanks for all your kind words  I'm just being a bit of a sap  Time to man up and phone the butcher 

[Couttsb]

Aaaaw, HappyHippy, I am sorry! I'm glad there were no disasters for you or the coo's. I shall be in your shoes come Autumn when I have to send my orphan lambs off to market, I had NO idea how much I would love them or how individual they would be. I swear their baaing sounds like 'mummy' each time I leave them!   

[bloomer]

2 whole coo's hope you have made room in the freezers :-)


you know its the right thing to do, jack was too soppy to be safe for much longer and molly well...


i bet bruce is just dreaming about shetland steaks!!!

[Louise Gaunt]

As has been said many times before! it is because you care it is a wrench to let animals go. I am glad it went well with no dramas loading and unloading. Don't ever be sorry for being a bit of a wuss, we all feel it sometimes!

[MKay]

Do you want some little black Dexters who come running when you call them? Orchid would make a super house cow and twiglets a darling....

[Mammyshaz]

  glad it went smooth even if it does make it harder, it's nicer for them 

I don't know what it is with coos. I went to help on the farm with lots of sheep and spent most days in with the coos, so soothing