Should really update this blog more often. Lots been happening. Going backwards from now, as it were, we have had two Highland calves so far, with four more to go.
The first calf was born was to Morag, the Black Highlander, is kind of red in colour and is a heifer.
Calf number two is a white bull, and this time Morag's daughter The Skelper, was the dam.
Interesting to note that all the female calves thrown by Big Iain, the Romesdal stock bull, have been red or light red in colour whilst the male calves' range from white, black and dun with not a red hair to be seen. Wonder if this trend will continue?
Also of interest, to me anyway, is the obvious difference in the natures of the calves, even at such a young age. The red heifer is confident, curious, and will walk towards me, and Jay the dog for that matter. By contrast, the white bull calf is flighty and nervous around us and will dart away at the slightest movement.
For the first few days after birth the calves don't do much and tend to feed and sleep but after that initial period they become much stronger and start to practice running fast.
This 'running fast' trick is invariably followed by the 'stopping abruptly', 'changing direction' and 'running round the mother' moves. Brings a smile to the face to witness this.
The first born calf, the red heifer, also learned another good trick and that is to eat from the feeding troughs alongside the yearlings.
The morning feeding regime begins with preparing the cows food. The six cows each have a bucket of cattle cobs with a topping of bruised oats and shreds. Shreds, for the curious, are derived from sugar beet pulp.
We have also six pedigree Highland calves from last year. These are fed bruised oats, shreds and 'beef stock' rolls mixed together and put in two feeding troughs.
The system is to bring the six yearlings and Morag (with heifer calf at heel) into the yard leaving the other five cows (and the shy white calf) on the outside. I then take Morag into the holding pen, place her bucket of food in corner and close the gate of the pen. Then the yearlings' food is put in the troughs and they immediately tuck in.
Bess is fed her bucket of food on the other side of the yard gate. A quick sprint through the byre to the back door and the other four cows are fed at the back of the byre.
The secret is to have the cows fed so as they finish roughly at the same time, otherwise the pecking order steps in and the strong take from the weak. Morag, in the holding pen, is trapped, until I decide to let her out.
The six yearlings have the time and peace to finish their food and all is usually well that ends well.
Anyway, the heifer calf was scarcely a week old when I noticed her at the troughs nibbling at the food alongside the yearlings. And this she continues to do. Goes to show that a confident nature pays off.
There is much more that is happening.
Just got a phone call. The Sheepstock Club hogs came home from wintering on Saturday and they have to be dosed and jagged. Better rush and get the beasts fed.
PS you can view photos of the cows mentioned in this entry on the Romesdal website.
The first calf was born was to Morag, the Black Highlander, is kind of red in colour and is a heifer.
Calf number two is a white bull, and this time Morag's daughter The Skelper, was the dam.
Interesting to note that all the female calves thrown by Big Iain, the Romesdal stock bull, have been red or light red in colour whilst the male calves' range from white, black and dun with not a red hair to be seen. Wonder if this trend will continue?
Also of interest, to me anyway, is the obvious difference in the natures of the calves, even at such a young age. The red heifer is confident, curious, and will walk towards me, and Jay the dog for that matter. By contrast, the white bull calf is flighty and nervous around us and will dart away at the slightest movement.
For the first few days after birth the calves don't do much and tend to feed and sleep but after that initial period they become much stronger and start to practice running fast.
This 'running fast' trick is invariably followed by the 'stopping abruptly', 'changing direction' and 'running round the mother' moves. Brings a smile to the face to witness this.
The first born calf, the red heifer, also learned another good trick and that is to eat from the feeding troughs alongside the yearlings.
The morning feeding regime begins with preparing the cows food. The six cows each have a bucket of cattle cobs with a topping of bruised oats and shreds. Shreds, for the curious, are derived from sugar beet pulp.
We have also six pedigree Highland calves from last year. These are fed bruised oats, shreds and 'beef stock' rolls mixed together and put in two feeding troughs.
The system is to bring the six yearlings and Morag (with heifer calf at heel) into the yard leaving the other five cows (and the shy white calf) on the outside. I then take Morag into the holding pen, place her bucket of food in corner and close the gate of the pen. Then the yearlings' food is put in the troughs and they immediately tuck in.
Bess is fed her bucket of food on the other side of the yard gate. A quick sprint through the byre to the back door and the other four cows are fed at the back of the byre.
The secret is to have the cows fed so as they finish roughly at the same time, otherwise the pecking order steps in and the strong take from the weak. Morag, in the holding pen, is trapped, until I decide to let her out.
The six yearlings have the time and peace to finish their food and all is usually well that ends well.
Anyway, the heifer calf was scarcely a week old when I noticed her at the troughs nibbling at the food alongside the yearlings. And this she continues to do. Goes to show that a confident nature pays off.
There is much more that is happening.
Just got a phone call. The Sheepstock Club hogs came home from wintering on Saturday and they have to be dosed and jagged. Better rush and get the beasts fed.
PS you can view photos of the cows mentioned in this entry on the Romesdal website.
