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 Two births two days apart!
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NellieBelle

11214 Posts


Posted - May 27 2018 :  09:29:52 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Greetings all. Just a quick stop to announce the newest additions here. Darla delivered on May 21st and Nellie the 24th of May. It's been busy and non-stop ever since. All went well, except Nellie gave us a scare with an episode of the hypocalcemia. It didn't really come as a surprise but it definitely is scary when it happens. I caught Nellie's early on, she never did go down, but was unstable, wobbly, weak, almost fell on us twice. But vet got here and gave her the IV calcium in the jugular, plus we gave 1/2 dose of the calcium gel in the tube and I gave her more of the gel a couple times more, but when she was herself again there is no giving calcium. All is well now and milking her out fully now. Only milked her out partially for the first couple times so as not to drain her too much and her demand for calcium increase. I had to bottle feed "Elmer" a few times but he is nursing now and that helps. Darla's calf, "Emmet" is doing well. Millie is being nursemaid to the new babies, she is such a tender heart. The severe, record heat this early in the year is what is causing problems. The heat is too oppressive for Nellie and the calves so we are bringing them into the parlor to stay cooler when the temps rise too high. Makes for extra work, but that's okay as long as the cow family stay well. With the calving, Nellie's episode, remodel, my projects, honey bees, more coming this week, mowing, gardening etc. Still feeding three orphan kittens but will wean them soon. So, that's it. Hoping you all have a pleasant spring! Summer heat here in Iowa.

To laugh is human but to moo is bovine. Author Unknown

maryjane

7072 Posts


Posted - May 28 2018 :  10:34:14 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Getting a calf on the ground is always an accomplishment, but when there are complications it can feel like a HUGE accomplishment. Congratulations, Janet. It's exhausting because it's so touch and go for a while, along with how heartbreaking it is to see your beloved cow on the brink of disaster. Nellie is lucky you were right there to make things better.

Emmet and Elmer are perfect names for yet ANOTHER set of boys. You should have your water tested:)

I can just picture Millie being a junior mother hen. It's been such a pleasure for me to witness Maggie adopt little Buttercup. Tender hearts indeed.

Enjoy all that glorious milk you've worked so hard to get, Janet. Ashley tells me that of all the cows we've had, Daisy's milk makes cheese making the easiest--the mozzarella comes together easier, the milk curds easier, etc. She says it even makes making butter less work. Type of fat???? Who knows, but Daisy is quite the gal. Aren't we both going on six years with our two girls, Janet? How long have you had Nellie?

MaryJane Butters, author of Milk Cow Kitchen ~ striving for the stoicism of a cow standing in the rain ~
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NellieBelle

11214 Posts


Posted - May 28 2018 :  12:14:04 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Yes, 6 years with Nellie. Born in May 21, 2012. Same day Darla had Emmet. There is a difference in Jersey's cow milk too. Nellie's is much richer than Darla's. Like Ashley experiences with Miss Daisy's milk, that's how I find Nellie's. Cream is thicker, milk is more cream colored. Loving the milk again. It's the heat that's taking it's toll. The little calves were panting and wanting into the parlor as were Darla and Nellie. Much more mucking and cleaning but this heat is too much too soon. Hope for relief with a little storm perhaps, but the forecast doesn't show any sign of relief. In for the long haul. Steers seem to be tolerating it okay, as is Millie but it's brutal. Need to go get more hay as it's too hot for them to eat pasture grass in this heat. Mornings are the only time they can be out and then they are ready to go inside again. Enjoy your day and weather!

To laugh is human but to moo is bovine. Author Unknown
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txbikergirl

3197 Posts


Posted - May 28 2018 :  6:25:15 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
congrats janet, two more calves! as mj said, test the water ;>

i think with everything you are juggling janet you make having three young girls at home easy peasy ;>

happy milking!

Firefly Hollow Farm , our little farmstead. Farmgirl living in the green piney woods of East Texas on 23 acres with a few jerseys, too many chickens, a pair of pugs and my Texan hubby (aka "lover boy")
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NellieBelle

11214 Posts


Posted - May 28 2018 :  7:40:24 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Hello Cindy! Nice to see you on the chatroom. All works out fine. I don't mind the little bulls. With Millie coming up, that will be three cows I will be milking and so that's a plenty. It would be nice to see Nellie have a little heifer, but if she doesn't, then that's okay. We have more milk than we can possibly use now. Need a pipeline to all who need it. It's been a long hard day here on the farm and I'm showered and ready to call it a day. Have a pleasant evening!

To laugh is human but to moo is bovine. Author Unknown
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farmlife

1413 Posts


Posted - May 30 2018 :  12:48:06 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Congrats, Janet! More bulls means more meat in the freezer. Yum!
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NellieBelle

11214 Posts


Posted - May 30 2018 :  3:36:39 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Thank you MaryJane, Cindy and Keeley. Yes, more meat in the freezer. We have a little relief today. We had a little rain and the temps are in the 80's. Tomorrow back in the mid-90's. Humidity. Wonder where spring went.

To laugh is human but to moo is bovine. Author Unknown
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NellieBelle

11214 Posts


Posted - May 30 2018 :  4:15:07 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Nellie, Darla and Millie with the two calves hidden in the pasture.

To laugh is human but to moo is bovine. Author Unknown
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txbikergirl

3197 Posts


Posted - May 30 2018 :  5:48:54 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
that is a nice looking udder on the rear cow janet!

Firefly Hollow Farm , our little farmstead. Farmgirl living in the green piney woods of East Texas on 23 acres with a few jerseys, too many chickens, a pair of pugs and my Texan hubby (aka "lover boy")
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NellieBelle

11214 Posts


Posted - May 30 2018 :  6:52:23 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Thanks Cindy. That's Darla, and her udder is mini compared to Nellie's. And with a difference in milk output too. But we're thankful for both cows. More than enough milk. I've already started spraying the roses and fruit trees with the extra.

To laugh is human but to moo is bovine. Author Unknown
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CloversMum

3486 Posts


Posted - Jun 01 2018 :  4:15:31 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Congratulations on the two new calves, Janet, and more milk! So glad everyone is all right ... I’m going to get my CMPK gel tubes ordered in the next week so I can be prepared for July’s calving season. Two more bull calves does make smile.

Loving life and family on our Idaho farm, Meadowlark Heritage Farm; A few Jersey cows; a few alpacas; a few more goats, and even more ducks and chickens
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NellieBelle

11214 Posts


Posted - Jun 03 2018 :  08:18:02 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Thanks Charlene! All is well on the farm. Love watching the new calves run to the end of the pasture and back again. It's like having twins, and they have a ball playing with each other. I stand and watch them after milking, just another highlight to the day!

To laugh is human but to moo is bovine. Author Unknown
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