The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Cattle => Topic started by: Rosemary on February 10, 2015, 09:19:43 am

Title: Surprise calf
Post by: Rosemary on February 10, 2015, 09:19:43 am

Well, not a total surprise but the timing was. We thought all the four cows were due early May so I was astonished when Bonnie produced this bull calf yesterday. After brain racking, consultation of the movement book and medicine record, we know it's Storm's calf, concieved while the four cows (three of whom were in calf) were running with him from 15th March to 4th May last year. We had Bonnie jagged on 19th May since we didn't want her to calve in February  ::) - the jag is 98-99% effective if done between 10 and 100 days of pregnancy - so our wee calf in one in a hundred  :eyelashes:

TBH, I thought she was aborting - I jagged them with Bravoxin on Saturday (more stressful for me than them) but I put two and two together... when I saw her with mucus coming from her back end. Phoned the vet in a panic. Then noticed the wee legs behind her - and there was the "abortion" sookin' for Scotland  ;D Had to phone the vet back and explain. To be fair, he didn't laugh (much). :)

So Bonnie and calf have been moved to the byre where they seem fine; he was skipping about this morning, she's cleansed and he's feeding fine.

I'd dead chuffed with him - any healthy calf is great but I think he's a bonus because I thought it was all going horribly wrong.

Title: Re: Surprise calf
Post by: Louise Gaunt on February 10, 2015, 09:23:47 am

A nice surprise! He looks a fine wee chap. Congratulations to you and Bonnie.

Title: Re: Surprise calf
Post by: sabrina on February 10, 2015, 11:31:12 am

A lovely outcome  :thumbsup:

Title: Re: Surprise calf
Post by: Factotum on February 10, 2015, 11:44:38 am

He looks grand - well done Mum...

So glad everything turned out OK - it must have been so worrying yesterday.

Sue

Title: Re: Surprise calf
Post by: trish.farm on February 10, 2015, 09:13:47 pm

ooh, congratulations!!!  what a lovely surprise!!  :cow: :thumbsup:

Title: Re: Surprise calf
Post by: Mammyshaz on February 10, 2015, 09:54:12 pm

a lovely surprise. Glad they are both doing well  :thumbsup:

Title: Re: Surprise calf
Post by: devonlady on February 11, 2015, 07:22:18 am

A lovely  sturdy looking calf :thumbsup:

Title: Re: Surprise calf
Post by: Cowgirl on February 11, 2015, 05:11:47 pm

Congratulations! Wonderful that all is well.

Title: Re: Surprise calf
Post by: Carse Goodlifers on February 11, 2015, 09:49:32 pm

Well done all  :thumbsup:
Super looking little chap  :cow:

Title: Re: Surprise calf
Post by: shygirl on February 13, 2015, 08:30:04 pm

great stuff.  :thumbsup:
we had our calf born last week too. we never scanned this year as last yr the dates were out my 6 weeks. just waiting for one more calf and that's us done for the year :thumbsup: