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Post by lakeportfarms on Jan 20, 2014 21:42:28 GMT -5
Here is when Bambina is going to calve. At least it seems to be common for us to have to watch for them when a low pressure is overhead.  Good luck to you Gene! We have several due to calve over the next week or so as well including two heifers, so a close eye on them will be necessary to prevent any frozen ears or tails on the calves. Fran, it's going to be a LONG month for you..lol |
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Post by lakeportfarms on Jan 20, 2014 21:46:01 GMT -5
Oh, based on that 4 am low overhead, I hope you're an early riser Gene  |
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Post by Fran on Jan 21, 2014 7:41:15 GMT -5
Hey Gene, Bonnie's due date is today also (by my best "guesstimate") and there was NO baby out there at 4am this morning. Sassy is due Jan. 31, Rosemary is due Feb. 9, and Ellie on Feb. 20. Those were my "guesstimate's" based on the last time that I saw them in heat. Now, going by looks (and this sometimes changes  , Rosemary looks like she could go any minute because her vulva is so relaxed that it's basically hanging open. Then, Sassy looks close behind her, then Bonnie and Ellie. They all have started bagging up (Sassy is a first-timer and has the cutest little bag started) but none have that "oh my goodness, look at that bag" look yet. Rosemary grunts and groans when I go out to feed but still comes up for treats. I think they are getting tired of me feeling around on them, etc.  I put the mom & baby in a stall for 3-4 days after baby is born, just so baby can get their legs under them well. We have sooooo many coyotes around. I only have 2 stalls available, so I'm hoping that they don't all 4 go at once. Yes, it is going to be a very long month but I am sooooo excited. |
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Post by Olga on Jan 21, 2014 8:17:58 GMT -5
Sending everyone the vibes for easy trouble-free deliveries. May they come out running!
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Post by Fran on Jan 21, 2014 9:03:56 GMT -5
Love it, Olga!!! Thanks!!
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zephyrhillsusan
member
Caught Dexteritis in Dec. 2009. Member of this forum since Oct. 2013.
Posts: 1,502 
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Post by zephyrhillsusan on Jan 21, 2014 10:37:33 GMT -5
Fran, I totally know what you mean about your girls getting tired of you feeling around on them. My poor daughter (25) was mortified when I asked her to take a photo of me "feeling up" Siobhan, as she called it! Poor Siobhan must have been so tired of me poking my camera everywhere to get pics of her progress when she was getting close to calving. I've started getting our 7-month old heifer Macree used to me lifting her tail to check things out. She isn't sure about it and clamps her tail between her legs. I started handling her udder early on, but hadn't thought of lifting her tail until she came into season. We'll get there, though; she already puts her nose up every day when I go to clip her lead rope on to lead her into the stanchion. I know it's her being submissive, but it looks like she's asking for a kiss, so of course she gets one. . I want her to be like Siobhan was after calving so she'll let us get right in and handle the calf without her being upset. |
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Post by Fran on Jan 21, 2014 10:45:21 GMT -5
Ok, now you've caused me to spit coffee onto my keyboard. Too funny!!!
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Post by wvdexters on Jan 22, 2014 12:09:01 GMT -5
Congratulations Olga. Now there's a surpise. A great one. And she's a beauty!
As for the rest of you - Wishing you all good luck!!! And keep us posted.
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Post by Olga on Jan 27, 2014 0:30:13 GMT -5
I tried out my new digital hanging scale today to weigh Penelope. She registered at 31 lbs, hanging in a sling made out of a bed sheet. Not sure how accurate that is but husband thought it was close - he was the one who had to pick her up.
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Post by Fran on Jan 27, 2014 6:13:59 GMT -5
Olga, we really need a picture of that!
Well, Bonnie is officially a week overdue. All 4 of my girls look like they could go at any minute but no one wants to be first I guess. Alarm went off at 4:15 this morning, and I didn't want to get up. Heard a little moo and jumped up, grabbed my clothes and took off out the door. Get out there and N-O-T-H-I-N-G! I swear, I think they're doing this totally on purpose!!!!
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Post by lakeportfarms on Jan 27, 2014 6:48:54 GMT -5
Fran, from the weather, it looks like you're getting some snow and unseasonably cold temperatures tomorrow. Take it from an expert in cows calving in snowstorms, you can expect them all to calve during the worst of it. Good luck! Dry off those ears and tails!
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Post by Fran on Jan 27, 2014 8:14:18 GMT -5
Sheri, I have to be at work by 6am. So I get up at 4:15 to feed everyone, get ready for work and make the 27 mi. drive to be there by 6 - it's not a middle of the night check for me . We don't normally get snow or extremely cold temps, so January is not usually a problem. We have had snow before, just not very often. Usually what we get is ice and that's not very often either. Typically, March is the time when we do get snow - if we get it at all. Hans - we'll see. You know how it goes... if they're calling for it, we won't - if not, we might. Looks like we could be right on the line. I really wouldn't mind seeing a good snow (not ice, just snow). |
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Post by Olga on Jan 27, 2014 9:03:34 GMT -5
I'm a lazy farmer then too. I have all but given up catching my cows giving birth. Usually I notice a cow silhouette with an extra leg or two and think, "Oh, we must have a new calf!" The natural occurrence of birth problems is very low - about 5 %, I think? But the time that I caught Sioux, my favorite cow, not progressing, I was glad that I was there. She was having a true breech birth - the calf was trying to come out butt first. Had I not called the vet to flip the calf, she'd have died along with the calf.
Had t-shirt weather all weekend, by the way. It was nice while it lasted, by for the next 3 days we will be at or below freezing again. Brrrr...
Good luck with all y'all's calvings!
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Post by Fran on Jan 27, 2014 9:18:16 GMT -5
Oh no, Sheri, I'm sorry, I didn't take it as criticism. OMG - 300 bottle babies and all that milking - ummmm, and these 4 moms-to-be are driving me crazy. Think I'll just hush now.... Sometimes I forget when I'm talking to farm folk and not city folk..... Thankfully, all of our births so far have been super easy. Praying that continues to hold true! However, Harvey is the sire and we don't have any calves from him yet to judge by. |
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Post by trdean on Jan 27, 2014 9:21:13 GMT -5
These are great to read. I am laughing quietly to myself because I am going through the same thing. I have 2 calves on the ground...both healthy heifers. I have one due to calve any day now...jeez it would have been nice for her to calve in the warm weekend weather...but nooooo. So I too fret the night time calving in freezing weather. I work an hour away and also get up at 4 am daily for work...seems a lot of Dexter folks are morning people lol!! I check before I go to bed and when I get up...but no night time excursions to check. I am in NC and this cold is amazing...when it was 30 degrees this weekend...it felt downright balmy!! Never thought I would say that. I hope everyone has good healthy calves!!!!
Tim
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, Rosemary looks like she could go any minute because her vulva is so relaxed that it's basically hanging open. Then, Sassy looks close behind her, then Bonnie and Ellie. They all have started bagging up (Sassy is a first-timer and has the cutest little bag started) but none have that "oh my goodness, look at that bag" look yet. Rosemary grunts and groans when I go out to feed but still comes up for treats. I think they are getting tired of me feeling around on them, etc. 
