Jan/Feb Calving Update

[Battle T]

Well after enjoying the nicest 20 jan days ever we hit a prolonged cold snap last week and now have had 9 straight days of below -25C lows with only -15--25 highs. Its been going fine the cows have been cooperating and I have saved them all, with the exception of a couple ear tips. I had a calf a week old I took ear muffs off, mother licks ears, froze 1.5 inches off and therefore have calf that will look a little off for a while.


I have been having to keep calves in the barn a bit longer, but they are doing nicely and off to a good start.





This hfr had a 92lb bull calf on her own, 3 weeks ago it would have been 70lbs. First calf I have had go full term. Final Answer two yrold with a Tiger bull calf



My first outside pen holds 8 cows and calves. I keep them there for 2-3 days so I ensure they can handle the cold then put them into another group. I need to upgrade my windbreak as the west wind can howl into this area.




This one came out 2 weeks early weighted 58lbs it was up nursing right away but could not handle -30c so I built a little nest in the shop. I let its mother in the barn twice a day for 2 hrs and its unbelievable how much it has grown in a week. It may not make a purebred cow, but at 195$/cwt they are all worth saving

 

[jcarkie]

in the last picture that looks like a blue mouse block, that is a small calf. she didn't weigh much more than a salt block.

 

[Faster horses]

I like the look of your cows. They seem deep and broody. That little calf could easily grow up to be fine.

Good luck with the rest of calving. Looks like a lot of work...

 

[Silver]

When those calves pounce on the scale this fall all this extra work you are doing now will just be a far off almost forgotten bad dream
I like your barn.