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Post by lakeportfarms on Mar 4, 2012 6:44:08 GMT -5
We've had a good week, two dun heifers, one long and one short (there is no doubt about this...my wife is better than the DNA test  I have to admit she's been right every time, even though I've had doubts about a few of them the first couple months. First up was Lace (Lace-ee)at 34 lbs., second one is "Gail", who we knew was going to be born Friday night because a big low pressure system came right overhead with strong winds, rain, and then snow, we're too far North and too cold for the tornados (hope those of you in the area where they were are all ok). The second one we had to assist, it was our first time having to do so but it (she) "came out" OK. Tiny little thing though at only 23 lbs. Pictures of both to follow. We'll try to get the two of them together so you can see the difference between them, it's pretty remarkable. |
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Post by laughingllama75 on Mar 4, 2012 7:40:10 GMT -5
Congrats! Cant wait to see pics. |
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Post by northstar on Mar 5, 2012 20:01:21 GMT -5
Does size count? Seriously, does is a small calf more likely to be a small adult? My only calf, a heifer, from a first time heifer weighed 45 pounds at birth. Her mother was about 37-38 inches and about 350 pounds when I bought her at 2 and 1/2. Now at almost 4 she is about 40 inches and 500 pounds. The bull, 5 yo, was shorter than L.C. when they bred, maybe 36 inches. Can you make any predictions based on birth weight?
Thanks,
Marsha
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Post by lakeportfarms on Mar 6, 2012 6:31:27 GMT -5
I agree with Gene, it's not a certainty that they'll grow any larger or smaller due to the calving size. We've had some that are very tiny up to a year or two of age and they'll hit a growth spurt and catch up. We like the low birthweights because of the calving ease. The small one we still had to assist because of the mild winter which has made it difficult to keep a few of the cows from getting too fat. Her dam is a tiny non-carrier (40"). Last summer we did a twice a day move managed grazing and the more dominant ones gained way too much from that, even though we are overstocked for our acreage. Actually, it wasn't just the dominant ones...we purchased several yearling heifers at the beginning of the year that had been grain fed prior to us getting them, and they did NOT do well at all when put on strictly pasture, so that made it very difficult to manage their weights. We may have to split them this year, but I'm hoping they've started to adjust. We thought that a hard winter would allow the fat ones to lose a little condition to be okay at calving time and it didn't happen, so now we have some fat cows that have calves and may be difficult to breed back.
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Post by lakeportfarms on Mar 6, 2012 19:12:36 GMT -5
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Post by ctownson on Mar 6, 2012 19:27:19 GMT -5
Very nice - I agree with you also on the long/short legged.
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Post by laughingllama75 on Mar 6, 2012 21:03:35 GMT -5
Oh. My. Gosh. ARE THEY CUTE! Sorry, just having a cute attack. They are adorable, and I also agree on shortie/long leg. adorable! |
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Post by lakeportfarms on Mar 7, 2012 6:07:54 GMT -5
Thanks Gene...and thanks to the newfangled digital cameras! I think I'd be in the poor house if I had to try to get good photos of lively calves using film and developing the way we used to do it!
I thought that with two calves born so close together out of the same sire it would be a good example of the long/short look. If only they all were so easy to determine :-)
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Post by lakeportfarms on Mar 7, 2012 6:16:46 GMT -5
By the way, we already have a pending sale on both of them to some new Dexter owners. We'll get the testing underway and in the meantime work extensively with them to halter and lead train them. We're happy they'll be staying together and add another member to the Dexter community!
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Post by LizMO on Mar 7, 2012 23:11:56 GMT -5
Those are darling babies.
Where can I purchase halters like those? or did you make them?
LIZ
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Post by goldshaftdexters on Mar 8, 2012 3:29:44 GMT -5
Lovely calves!
The halters look like horse (pony/foal) halters - am I correct?
I love the depth of colour in these duns. Most duns I have seen here in Australia are a lot paler.
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Post by lakeportfarms on Mar 8, 2012 6:53:36 GMT -5
They are horse rope halters, and they're the best! We love them There are different levels of quality and stiffness. We started using the Clinton Anderson rope halters, and sent them off with each of the calves we sold, but the price for them is now astronomical ($36). We've been using the ones from Chick's Saddlery. It is soft rope, and not the best for training them though, it stretches and comes loose easily. They're better for calves and cows that are well trained and not pulling on the halter. www.chicksaddlery.com/page/CDS/PROD/MRH101We've recently found these halters that use the same rope as the Clinton Anderson halters and though we haven't tried them, they are probably a good choice for young calves and those that are in training. The rope is much stiffer and allows the halter to be a little more loose but still not pull off the face. www.halfcircleranch.com/store/pc/PNW-Select-Halter-68p8.htm#details |
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Post by littlecowfl on Mar 8, 2012 10:46:18 GMT -5
They are beautiful! |
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Post by lakeportfarms on Mar 8, 2012 12:22:52 GMT -5
I should add that for those of you with more time on your hands you can always tie your own, it's not that difficult once you've figured out the knots. Here is a source for the rope on Ebay, it's the quarter inch stuff. www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=pnw+select+rope |
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Post by Morning Star Farm on Mar 8, 2012 12:26:36 GMT -5
your little heifers are precious! We are waiting on one of our heifers to have hers any day now. It's kinda like waiting for christmas to get here..lol.
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I have to admit she's been right every time, even though I've had doubts about a few of them the first couple months.
