A couple of years ago we had an amazing spring with not one, but three pairs of heifer twins born here. (Guess the nutrition situation was especially good). Twins are not exactly aspired to by cow farmers as it is tough on the cow to carry two and the babies are smaller as a rule and less hardy. It came to me yesterday that this had been proved out by the six born that spring.
The last of the six calved for the first time yesterday and had a terrible time of it. The calf was by the shorthorn bull...we have had very few problems with his babies, but this bull calf was big and FAT! Liz delivered it and it was pretty compromised by the time she had it out. The poor heifer was just exhausted. The boss got a bottle of calcium on board and we got her on her feet, but she just didn't want to stand up and lay right back down. She was eating good though so maybe she will be okay...no way to be sure yet. She has a beautiful udder and is out of an exceptionally good cow so I am hoping.....
Anyhow I realized that only two of those six twin heifer babies are still here at the farm. One was injured kicking the skid steer bucket and although we kept her, she never bred so we beefed her a while ago. Another freshened with no openings in two of her teats...kept her too, but she never bred so she is also gone. Twin Rex daughters from my good cow Eland both were sold to pay taxes because they were absolutely insane and kept attacking the kids and the boss (can't really blame that on twinning but neither of them bred up quickly either). The only ones left here are the one that calved yesterday, Frosting, and her twin who has been fresh a few weeks, Poptart. Neither of them is particularly hardy or tough acting or looking. Guess I would rather get one healthy heifer calf than two not so rugged individuals.
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......and then it's a real pain when one's a heifer and ones a bull. With range cows sometimes (or most times) you'll find a one abandoned. I dislike the twin factor unless we've lost a calf and need a spare:(
I just am so impressed with what you have to do, the work, the hard decisions - to run your operation. Dang. It makes me feel like such a wuss. But like I've said: I'm glad there are families like yours that can get the job done.
Freshened?
What is that?
Wow, what an exciting and exhausting time with these cows! Hard to believe it's time already for them for them to be born!
Linda...hate it when we get a heifer born twin to a bull...such a waste. Ours usually take to both though, although not always.
Cathy, thanks...it is kind of just what we do. I am glad there are five of us though. lol
FC, to freshen is to have a calf...sorry
mon@rch...never dull that is for sure. There is another one due next Saturday.
We don't get twins that often, but I agree - every set that has been born here in my memory, something has gone wrong, either with the cow or one or both of the calves. It doesn't seem to pay. I hope your cow is no worse for the wear.
Nita, I haven't been out today, morning off..buy yesterday morning she surprised us nicely.
She was up and eating...the calf seemed good too. We didn't have too much of a battle getting her milked either.
Sounds like a bit of an emotional roller coaster. Glad you are all buckled in and seem to "ride" it out pretty safely.
AMWD, part of the job and always great when it turns out well.
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