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Post by Fran on Aug 22, 2014 7:54:08 GMT -5
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Post by copperhead on Aug 22, 2014 11:39:35 GMT -5
WOW, she might give birth if she coughs! I doesn't look like she is bagged up, but those ligaments are loose, I don't think she'll make it another week.
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Post by Olga on Aug 22, 2014 21:47:13 GMT -5
It does look close!
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Post by Fran on Aug 25, 2014 8:57:32 GMT -5
Well, Puff had her calf on Saturday afternoon at approx. 4:15pm. Beautiful little black heifer. She's a beautiful little girl, but I was soooo hoping for some color on this one. Very thankful that both seem to be healthy. Was a little worried at first because I was expecting colostrum to be yellow. Guess I've never really paid attention? Have seen baby pee and poop (poop was tarry and yellow/greenish yellow mix). Here are a couple of early pictures - will get better ones later.   |
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Post by carragheendexters on Aug 25, 2014 15:01:22 GMT -5
Well done Fran. At least your heifer will carry dun.
That tarry poop is the meconium, the poop they make while still in utero. I am so happy when I see them pass that, it means everything is working properly, and when I see that yellow poop coming through in the first 24 hrs I know they got their colostrum and they are feeding well.
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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 Aug 25, 2014 15:43:01 GMT -5
Congratulations on your sweet heifer! How considerate of Puff to have her during daylight hours so you could see her right away--she might have been a bit hard to find in the dark!
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Post by Fran on Aug 26, 2014 6:33:40 GMT -5
Thanks guys!! After seeing her out in the sun, maybe she'll shed out to be dun??? I'll be sending in tail hairs soon, but what do you guys think?   |
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Post by Fran on Aug 26, 2014 6:36:21 GMT -5
And here's her beautiful, sweet mama. I just love my Puff!!! She is the sweetest, most laid back cow ever! She's very protective of her baby but has no problems with me handling her. Nice teats and will let me milk her if I want to. And I may actually do that on occasion??  This was taken yesterday, two days after giving birth. |
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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 Aug 26, 2014 9:34:38 GMT -5
Isn't it the supreme compliment when a protective mama lets you handle her calf?  I'd totally milk that sweet cow on occasion! I have no experience at all with dun calves, but I do know that our black heifers that carry red have always made me hope they're going to shed out red because they have such a red cast in the sun. She does seem to have a light-colored eye, so who knows? Be sure and let us know when you get her results back. (She's very lucky she has you for a human mama; I'd be tempted to name her Magic Dragon! LOL! Just goes to show how old I am; the younger members on here are probably saying, "HUH?") |
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Post by Fran on Aug 26, 2014 10:21:45 GMT -5
And the other thing with Puff is that she'll allow anyone to nurse. Gotta make sure you don't put any newly weaned young ones in with her!
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Post by carragheendexters on Aug 26, 2014 18:31:58 GMT -5
She is definitely black. Their colour doesn't change as they grow, though it can be confusing as some black calves may have red tinges to their coat or a bit of a chocolatey or even grey look to their coat.
We have had some red calves born a more creamy golden colour, but soon darken to red within a few weeks.
It would be great for you to milk her Fran. Take advantage of her good nature and enjoy some fresh Dexter milk for the house.
Susan, I think that there are a few of us on here all around the same age, it was one of my most favourite songs when I was a wee girl. The '50s really was a great time to be born. LOL
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Post by wagradexters on Aug 26, 2014 19:01:52 GMT -5
Yes. Definitely black. Black calves can be quite brown for some time.
We have a 10yo black cow with pale eyes. She has had a few dun calves.
MargaretW,
Au
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Post by hollydzie on Aug 26, 2014 21:18:22 GMT -5
I thought my cow's calf was dun, but I was told that if the nose is black the calf will turn black. She was really light for a long time but has shed out and is definitely black. She sure is cute Fran.
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Post by Fran on Aug 27, 2014 6:59:23 GMT -5
Thanks everyone!! I know in my heart she's black (and I'll definitely have her tested) but I realllllllly wanted some color. I still haven't named her yet, and Susan -- I really am considering Magic Dragon... Most people wouldn't get it, but hey.... And Louise, I really am considering milking her on occasion. She has very nice teats and is so laid back that I really don't think she'll mind. Just not this week - it's been a very busy one! |
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Post by karenp on Aug 27, 2014 9:22:11 GMT -5
Isn't it the supreme compliment when a protective mama lets you handle her calf? I'd totally milk that sweet cow on occasion! I have no experience at all with dun calves, but I do know that our black heifers that carry red have always made me hope they're going to shed out red because they have such a red cast in the sun. She does seem to have a light-colored eye, so who knows? Be sure and let us know when you get her results back. (She's very lucky she has you for a human mama; I'd be tempted to name her Magic Dragon! LOL! Just goes to show how old I am; the younger members on here are probably saying, "HUH?") Lower Delaware That song will be stuck in my head all day. Beautiful calf no matter what color she turns out to be, I vote for Magic Dragon, Magic for short. |
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I'd totally milk that sweet cow on occasion!
