***OKIES in the BYC III ***

[Kyzmette]

Oh hotcurltr, I'm so sorry you lost your lovie. My heart goes out to you. That chickie in my avatar picture is my lovie, and if anything happened to her I would bawl my eyes out, so I definitely understand.

 

[mjgigax]

It's been a rotten day in more ways than one. My pet goose died this morning.

Hubby had gone out and let all the poultry put and fed the other livestock, I went out to water and let the geese go graze(even though it was sleeting). I noticed Little Britches was laying down in front of the goose house with Alex standing over, thought that unusual since she always goes out with everyone and hates to be left behind. When I got up to her she looked at me and i reached down and petted her.m I knew she was sick. I just love her, she's always been my baby and if I ever had a goose living in the house it would of been her. I had raised her because she was hurt as a baby. I used to bath her and wrap her in a towel and feed her in the rocking chair. Anyway, I got hysterical and couldn't stop crying, why her. Hubby had left to take someone to town for groceries so I put clean hay down moved

her in more and layed down with my arm around her and my coat to keep her warm, all the time just bawling. Alex was very agitated and tried to get her up. I pushed him away and he attacked me and drew blood. I just stayed there and kept bawling. He seemed perplexed and moved away and just watched. The gaggle of geese came running by talking. She lifted her weak little head , put it down and was gone.

Some of you might think I'm crazy for loving her so much, but I couldn't help it. I had so many errands today and was just a zombie. I called the Ag dept, because I hadn't gotten any news back on the duck and I know they have to test them right away. They didn't have any news back, so she assumed it wasn't an infectious disease as they would have already been out here to cull everything. The vet was on a call but. she said she'd try and get a hold of him and have him call me back. He did in fact, call me a few hours later. He said the lab couldn't really find anything out of the usual. No parasites and nothing that seemed like and infectious disease.
They are going to take more tissue samples and have different labs check them out too. He said it sounds like a toxin of some sort. I was thinking botulism, because of the mud hole but he didn't think that unless there was a dead animal somewhere and we had some water runoff. But he did agree to dry up that spot and see if anything changes. If anything else dies between Monday and Thursday, he said they'd pick them up and see if anything could be found different, I didn't ask him about pulling blood. Since Little Britches is the only one I found dying, I should have pulled some blood, but with her my head wasn't on straight. All I could feel is grief. Anyway, that's all the update I have.
Little Britches you;ll always be in my heart and memories.

So sorry.

 

[mjgigax]

Darned if I didn't spend all day outside again!
But it was worth it!

One day I will post chicken pictures on this chicken forum...but until then - thank you Okies for your indulgence!!!


.
He is currently with his mom in a neighbors box stall. He was beginning to freeze before he really had a chance to get up and move around (and fill his belly). Thankfully the cow that chose this time to calf is my very tolerant halterbroke cow. The fedex man that delivered a package to my friend tonight will have a story to tell about seeing a longhorn cow getting walked up the road in the dark! Also thankfully, she was ok with the calfnapping and took him back right away. The cow began to actively deliver as the sleet was beginning to fall - and chose a 'lovely' northern exposure to do it in!

I 'm still shivering and I came in two hours ago. But, now, everyone is cosy. Chickens, chicks, cats, dogs, very newborn calves, kids and me!

Stay warm everyone and stay safe!

No apologies needed - If you still feel bad you can repent by posting more calf pics.

 

[NanaKat]

Darned if I didn't spend all day outside again! But it was worth it! One day I will post chicken pictures on this chicken forum...but until then - thank you Okies for your indulgence!!! . He is currently with his mom in a neighbors box stall. He was beginning to freeze before he really had a chance to get up and move around (and fill his belly). Thankfully the cow that chose this time to calf is my very tolerant halterbroke cow. The fedex man that delivered a package to my friend tonight will have a story to tell about seeing a longhorn cow getting walked up the road in the dark! Also thankfully, she was ok with the calfnapping and took him back right away. The cow began to actively deliver as the sleet was beginning to fall - and chose a 'lovely' northern exposure to do it in! I 'm still shivering and I came in two hours ago. But, now, everyone is cosy. Chickens, chicks, cats, dogs, very newborn calves, kids and me! Stay warm everyone and stay safe!

Been there, done that! Were you able to get colostrum down the calf or just warm it up to give back to mom? We have actually put cold newborn calves on a heating pad and kept them in the kitchen overnight when it has been snowing, etc. getting warm colostrum in their belly helps warm the calf up. If the calf could get up on its feet quickly and nuzzle for milk it was taken out to mom in the barn but there have been a few like the twins four years ago that I slept with under the kitchen table after tube feeding them. Gracie our Australian Shepard would often lie down with the calf too. It is the rewarding part of having cattle. We are watching a cow ready to calve now too...bad time to birth one.

 

[NanaKat]

Hotcurltr, so sorry to hear about Little Britches. Losing a pet is hard. Your gander Alex will grieve for several days. Do you have other geese he can bond with?

 

[bardies]

Been there, done that! Were you able to get colostrum down the calf or just warm it up to give back to mom? We have actually put cold newborn calves on a heating pad and kept them in the kitchen overnight when it has been snowing, etc. getting warm colostrum in their belly helps warm the calf up. If the calf could get up on its feet quickly and nuzzle for milk it was taken out to mom in the barn but there have been a few like the twins four years ago that I slept with under the kitchen table after tube feeding them. Gracie our Australian Shepard would often lie down with the calf too. It is the rewarding part of having cattle.
We are watching a cow ready to calve now too...bad time to birth one.

He was calved about 2, mom got him 'mostly' dried. At three, he still hadn't eaten - gotten up but was not moving much and was starting to get crusty (what really got me was the bloody icicle that his umbilcle had become - just a frozen stick). I brought him in soon after that. No idea about his temp . About 5, he finally completely stopped shivering. By 6 I was able to contact the neighbor with the barn. Walked the cow over and then drove the baby over. (so still no nothing given yet). But by 645 he was starting to be more active and interested in mom. Got him nursing by 7.
I could have done better - heating pad (doh...didn't even thing about that). Vet had asked about milking the mom - and I could have with this one - but didn't think I needed to, as I knew the mom 'should' take him back even with my smell all over him. I was busy working on finding/making a better place for them to stay. Then there was a matter of catching her. She spent a lot of time in the back yard as a calf and 'knew' the catch pen - was having none of that! I finally caught her when constructing a pen around the covered shed front. I was coming down the hill with the final panel, saw her in, started walking really fast (but not too fast). She tried to bolt out at the last minute, but I got her!
Anyway, so by the time all that happened, and then the neighbor was home...and they were moved over - not a lot of extra time in there.
I was going by the 12/24 hour rule for getting colostrum in him. Didn't realize that it is not as effective when the calf is cold. (and I understand that with twins, it is even worse.) But by the time he was drinking, I don't think he was that cold. (actually, he was starting to shiver again - thats when I tied the cow, and pointed the boy into right area, gave him a taste of milk and helped him find the teat. I am so thankful for my time at the vets office watching them do the same for some other calf - otherwise.... ) Before he ate though, he just was not interested in doing anything like that. I know that sometimes it just takes time before the calf decides that it is hungry.
In my reading - it seems as though the best thing I did was pull him in within such a short time, minutes instead of hours or days.
I am just so very thankful that it was THIS cow, and not any other. I have others that are halter broke, but none that are still as tolerant of being messed with. And none that would willingly allow me to lead them (away from where they last saw their calf!) down a dark snowy road into a strange small area.
Someone that knows our breeding program once asked me why we had her. (Excellent cow - but no horn compared to our others - which is what we are breeding for) This is why!

What is your experience as far as chill, and first colostrum and timing goes? I couldn't find any specific references online, but understand because all circumstances are different. Just wish I was thinking about getting his temperature, so I could have actual reference as to how bad or good off he was.

I am concerned about the two day old though. But she was up and eating and doing all things right. I believe that she was between 51 to 72 hours old when the sleet started. I guess (hopefully), all I'll have to worry about are ears and tail? I know mom is a good milker and that should help keep the heifer warm enough. Your thoughts?

My other winter calves are out of a first time mom and a 13 year old cow - but they are 3 and 2 weeks old respectively.

 

[mjgigax]

Been there, done that! Were you able to get colostrum down the calf or just warm it up to give back to mom? We have actually put cold newborn calves on a heating pad and kept them in the kitchen overnight when it has been snowing, etc. getting warm colostrum in their belly helps warm the calf up. If the calf could get up on its feet quickly and nuzzle for milk it was taken out to mom in the barn but there have been a few like the twins four years ago that I slept with under the kitchen table after tube feeding them. Gracie our Australian Shepard would often lie down with the calf too. It is the rewarding part of having cattle.
We are watching a cow ready to calve now too...bad time to birth one.

I am watching a hair sheep eve that loves to deliver in the worst weather and or a major holiday. Plus she ofter delivers triplets with atleast one breech. I really don't want to pull a lamb today.

 

[mjgigax]

He was calved about 2, mom got him 'mostly' dried. At three, he still hadn't eaten - gotten up but was not moving much and was starting to get crusty (what really got me was the bloody icicle that his umbilcle had become - just a frozen stick). I brought him in soon after that. No idea about his temp . About 5, he finally completely stopped shivering. By 6 I was able to contact the neighbor with the barn. Walked the cow over and then drove the baby over. (so still no nothing given yet). But by 645 he was starting to be more active and interested in mom. Got him nursing by 7.
I could have done better - heating pad (doh...didn't even thing about that). Vet had asked about milking the mom - and I could have with this one - but didn't think I needed to, as I knew the mom 'should' take him back even with my smell all over him. I was busy working on finding/making a better place for them to stay. Then there was a matter of catching her. She spent a lot of time in the back yard as a calf and 'knew' the catch pen - was having none of that! I finally caught her when constructing a pen around the covered shed front. I was coming down the hill with the final panel, saw her in, started walking really fast (but not too fast). She tried to bolt out at the last minute, but I got her!
Anyway, so by the time all that happened, and then the neighbor was home...and they were moved over - not a lot of extra time in there.
I was going by the 12/24 hour rule for getting colostrum in him. Didn't realize that it is not as effective when the calf is cold. (and I understand that with twins, it is even worse.) But by the time he was drinking, I don't think he was that cold. (actually, he was starting to shiver again - thats when I tied the cow, and pointed the boy into right area, gave him a taste of milk and helped him find the teat. I am so thankful for my time at the vets office watching them do the same for some other calf - otherwise.... ) Before he ate though, he just was not interested in doing anything like that. I know that sometimes it just takes time before the calf decides that it is hungry.
In my reading - it seems as though the best thing I did was pull him in within such a short time, minutes instead of hours or days.
I am just so very thankful that it was THIS cow, and not any other. I have others that are halter broke, but none that are still as tolerant of being messed with. And none that would willingly allow me to lead them (away from where they last saw their calf!) down a dark snowy road into a strange small area.
Someone that knows our breeding program once asked me why we had her. (Excellent cow - but no horn compared to our others - which is what we are breeding for) This is why!

What is your experience as far as chill, and first colostrum and timing goes? I couldn't find any specific references online, but understand because all circumstances are different. Just wish I was thinking about getting his temperature, so I could have actual reference as to how bad or good off he was.

I am concerned about the two day old though. But she was up and eating and doing all things right. I believe that she was between 51 to 72 hours old when the sleet started. I guess (hopefully), all I'll have to worry about are ears and tail? I know mom is a good milker and that should help keep the heifer warm enough. Your thoughts?

My other winter calves are out of a first time mom and a 13 year old cow - but they are 3 and 2 weeks old respectively.

Thanks for sharing the details. I love living the farm life. I may have an advanced degree in modern art and have lived in in one of the world's biggest cities for 6 years but the country is where I have settled. - back to my roots.

 

[Elwood Lightfoot]

Quote: I'm keeping an eye on my two pregnant goats, they have been pregnant so long I just know they have to be due anytime now and would be just typical for them to kid in this bad weather, this will be their first so not sure what to expect.

 

[artsyrobin]

yup!!

Quote: yeah- always say i was kidnapped at birth and taken to the big city!!


thought you guys would enjoy this- Cressy found the feed bowl last nite, so ended up getting bathed- she makes a quite a sight- so of course she hd a bath and blowdry