We have had an interesting day on the farm...and exciting too... thud:
Took the dogs out and peeked in on Sunshine in the barn. Hallelujah! Eureka! Mom cow is in the stall with Sunshine and baby in nursing away! And she has been all day.
The rest of the day started off with the sound of a chick in the incubator...under the egg turner...set on March 23... Due on Sunday the 13th. I was going to put those eggs in lock-down this evening. Went ahead and started lockdown this morning. Already have three in the brooder and 6 pipped and zipping. Never had so eager a hatch... lol.
Then after the breakfast dishes, went with the boys to feed cows and check the pregs. A first timer was going into labor early in their pasture Insead of the lot by the house. Some first timers can fool you into a false sense of security in thinking they are weeks away. We kept an eye on her and just before dropping her calf, she decides the pond bank was a good spot...with a little herding we were able to get to move her and the newborn to a safer spot. For a first time mom, she did remarkably well ending her calf and standing still for it to nurse. You would have thought she was an old pro.
Next, after feeding and watering the chickens and changing hay in nest boxes, noticed a heifer in the lot by the house was in the early stages of labor. She had been holding her tail high this morning and I warned hubby she might have it today. Hard labor started at 5 pm and just befor 6 pm she had her calf. Once the calf was up, the circle dance began...mom moving backwards and calf nuzzling...for 30 minutes until the calf wore her down. We enjoyed the show as the calf with a full belly began bucking and cavorting around Mom.
Will be checking the hatcher thru the evening. The first egg to hatch was one of the last collected on the 23rd from the CW pen and tucked in the incubator. The shell was really clean on the inside...an indication the chick was really full term....on day 18.75.
