I don't know about you, but when I have to get up before my appointed time and go out in the dark, I am pretty numb and dumb.
However, Cow #188, my ETrain, who has been keeping us crazy all week... due to calve two days ago, all bagged up, having some problems with hypocalcemia, and just not getting on with her job, required a visit from me early this AM. Thus numb, dumb, and all I staggered out to the barn a couple hours ago.
When cows are calving there are barn checks. It is just part of the job. There are bed time checks, midnight checks, and my personal favorite (because I am the one doing them) really early in the morning checks. (Up until a couple days ago we were also checking Liz's purchased heifer, Sugar, but she has now calved.)
This morning I found ETrain standing quietly in her stall chewing her cud and looking quite smug. Sugar was okay too. I took a quick stroll though the barn (with visions of that wondrous first cup of coffee dancing in my head) when I found a pile of manure where no poo should be. Right in the middle of the walk way.
Erp. Cow number 215, also mine, a good looking first calf heifer named Encore, had gotten down in her stall and was stuck. Nobody was up but me and they had done those other cow checks so I was on my own.
I won't bore you with the details....but closing gates on ice in the dark, even with the boss's flashlight which I liberated for the job, is fraught with peril. 1500 pound cows are too, when they get in a pinch and start thrashing around. However, I got her out of the stanchion, untangled from the stall divider, up on her feet, fed some grain for her trouble, and walked very carefully outside...where she stopped, completely nonchalant, and began to hoover up balage spilled during last night's feeding.
She has been having some problems getting up and down for a couple of weeks. The guys have modified her stall, filled it with sand, packed the front with soft bedding etc. etc. Now there is nothing for it. Either she gets moved, a tie stall is put in her place, or she sleeps outdoors in the shed.
Meanwhile, that first cup of elixir of wake up awaits me.
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- threecollie
- Embracing agricultural diversity, one species at a time. All rights reserved
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6 comments:
Goodness! You are such hardworking family. Go enjoy that cup of coffee hon.
Put her in the shed, it's safer for everybody.
Honey! You are awesome.
I swear. You take us stumbling through the cold and dark with you.
It's so funny. I read a blog written by an airline pilot who, like you, gets us 'inside' the operation.
His latest post involved coffee, too.
If you're interested google Flight Level 390.
(In all your spare time ;-)
I'm glad you and the 'girl' came out okay. You are right...there is nothing like a thrashing around cow, she gets so excited she can even remember you are there to HELP her. I know...believe me I know.
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
More power to you, that could not have been any fun. Glad you got her up on her feet! Take care and tell the kids hi.
Dani, I did and it was wonderful, as was the second.....and the third....lol
aka, did just that tonight. Wish there was a better solution, but I am afraid she is going to really hurt herself
Cathy, I checked out that blog and it is incredible! You are exactly right...he has you right there in the plane with him
Linda, she is quite young and huge. I think she just doesn't know how to handle all that bigness, but she sure gets herself in trouble. Loved your bald eagle photos, just didn't have time to stop and comment.
Lisa, will do and thanks!
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