This post will be dedicated to Jewel, my Jersey heifer, calving and on a very warm evening on clean pasture.
DH came in about 4 pm and told me she had started so I went out to check. She was in the pasture just west of the house and very close in. Everything looked correct; front feet out and pointed down. I waited just a few minutes and then calledDH to bring the equipment. I decided to help her get the baby out and safe before it got any darker. Heifers are notoriously prone to 'giving up' when they get too tired and then you are in trouble. Once that head is in the birth canal, it needs to come out quickly.
We used the puller and OB chains (gift from my BIL and they work so much better than the straps) and the baby came easily. It was a very nice sized calf and was a heifer. I drug the baby around to Jewel's nose so she could begin cleaning it and they could bond. Once that happened, Jewel got up and the baby started trying to get up, I left them alone. Help at this point is futile.
I took a few pictures. I hope no one is squeamish but here they are:
and the baby trying to get up; they go end over end the first few attempts,
I was going to show her very nice udder, but from the back end she was very messy so will spare you all that one!
I can now relax. I will begin to milk her in a couple of days and see how that goes.......
DH came in about 4 pm and told me she had started so I went out to check. She was in the pasture just west of the house and very close in. Everything looked correct; front feet out and pointed down. I waited just a few minutes and then calledDH to bring the equipment. I decided to help her get the baby out and safe before it got any darker. Heifers are notoriously prone to 'giving up' when they get too tired and then you are in trouble. Once that head is in the birth canal, it needs to come out quickly.
We used the puller and OB chains (gift from my BIL and they work so much better than the straps) and the baby came easily. It was a very nice sized calf and was a heifer. I drug the baby around to Jewel's nose so she could begin cleaning it and they could bond. Once that happened, Jewel got up and the baby started trying to get up, I left them alone. Help at this point is futile.
I took a few pictures. I hope no one is squeamish but here they are:
and the baby trying to get up; they go end over end the first few attempts,
I was going to show her very nice udder, but from the back end she was very messy so will spare you all that one!
I can now relax. I will begin to milk her in a couple of days and see how that goes.......
Whoo hoo!! Not only in clean pasture, on a warm day, but a heifer! Congrats, to the both of you :)
ReplyDeleteThank you. It was such a relief.
DeleteYeah! A heifer...and such a nice delivery....Good Job Guys!!
ReplyDeleteI was surprised it was a heifer. Usually the larger ones are bulls.
DeleteJewel's Christmas present for you! Arriving Special Delivery (by you)! Loved the pictures.
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked them. I always wonder if some will be turned off by explicit delivery pictures!
DeleteYay! Congrats all around for a good job. Looks like the timing was really good, too and no problems. Look forward to more pics of Jewel and heifer. Bet Willow is celebrating too. Now she can retire.... ;-D
ReplyDeleteI am not sure yet if I will retire Willow......I need to milk Jewel first. I may do both off and on.
DeleteWillow would love to retired to just her babies, no doubt. She has behaved better this lactation.....maybe she is mellowing in her old age. I no I feel very sympathetic to her when she is so slow to come up the ramp....I tell DH to be patient with her; I know just how she feels.
How wonderful! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteGled you visited and enjoyed it.
DeleteGlenda,
ReplyDeleteNow a new calf at Christmas, how wonderful. I'm happy to hear all went well.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful new life with all of us.
Since I didn't really know when she was bred, it was definitely a waiting and watching game,. We are both relieved (DH and I; probable Jewel too!)
DeleteI was going to say almost exactly what Carolyn did! So glad she waited until all your snow disappeared. The pictures were great! Congrats on your new "baby."
ReplyDeleteI just knew she would have it during that snow.......I guess she showed me.
DeleteHow neat is that?!?! Congrats.
ReplyDeleteFlowerLady
Thank you.
DeleteCongratulations, Gram! Jewel did AWESOME....just look at that calf!...:)JP
ReplyDeleteShe did do good! I am delighted it is a heifer. We will keep it and blend it into the herd.
DeleteYay! Thanks for sharing the photos, because that is something I will never see on my own. It was fun seeing mama and baby together. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteSue, next time I will show the whole process. I could have this time but hesitated.
DeleteOh, that Jewel is really named appropriately. Is there ANYTHING she doesn't do well? Willow may be a handful but she sure had a good offspring. That's a great-looking calf.
ReplyDeleteI will see if I still call her Jewel once I milk her the first time........
Delete