Rosedean Santa Ana - The Accidental Smallholder

Posted: Wednesday 27 June, 2012

by Rosemary at 10:47pm in Cattle 2 comments Comments closed

Two days before her due date, Blizzard gave birth to a heifer calf today at 5pm. We're calling her Rosedean Santa Ana or Annie for short.

Rosedean Santa Ana

She's by a bull called Collafirth Viking, who is grey, but Annie is dun and white like her mother.

After I fed the pigs at teatime, I popped round to check the sheep and cattle and saw Bliz with something white on the ground. To be honest, I thought it was a plastic bag at first, but no - it was the calf. In good Shetland tradition, she did it all by herself, despite loooking like she was going to give birth to a whale, or at least and elephant.

Blizzard and Annie

She's a big calf; bigger than George when he was born. She's up and had a feed - Blizzard is being very good and is bursting with milk. Just wish the weather was a bit nicer for her - George was born into glorious sunshine. It's damp and misty here tonight, but not cold, fortunately.

George has had a sniff, but she's a bit scary. Henry had a look and went back to grazing - after all, he's seen a calf before.

George meeting Annie

Hopefully, mother and daughter will do well, despite the rain.