If you remember, we noticed Sparky with signs of very early calving (mucus from her backside, etc.) last week, so we tucked her in the corral until such time as she had her baby.
Within a day or so, Sparky managed to squeeze herself through a badly-secured gate and join the rest of the herd in the woods. The weather was warm (hot, actually) and this isn't Sparky's first calf, so we let her be.
Sunday morning I went out before sunrise to get some weeding done in the garden before the heat got oppressive.
I saw Sparky had thoughtfully come into the feedlot and had her calf near the barn awning. Wasn't that considerate of her?
The placenta was also out, a good sign.
The early-morning rays of the sun showed the umbilical cord, but no scrotum -- so we have ourselves a little heifer.
By the time I saw her, she was mostly dry and on her feet, so I'm guessing she was born about two hours before sunrise (around 3 am).
The feedlot couldn't be a better spot for Sparky and her new baby. There's shade from the awning and some trees. I put a cattle panel across the opening, so she's protected by fencing while her newborn is still shaky on her feet. We'll keep her there for a few days until we have a chance to dehorn the baby.
This little girl is red with a pink nose, and we're clueless what to name her. Suggestions are welcome!
Sunny!
ReplyDeleteA. McSp
We have a Sunny! Sunny Day is her full name. She's cheerful, and was born on a very sunny August day.
Deleteamy
novellasfarm.com
Patrice, considering your bumper crop, I vote to name her Strawberry or some variation thereof.
ReplyDeleteAnd God bless you and your family for your blog.--Jo
Dear Patrice and Family,
ReplyDeleteJust one look and obviously, IMHO, her name ought to be "Rosie".
Congrats on your new baby.
BTW: Thank you for your diligence in keeping up your blog post. It is often a comfort in Koyaanisqatsi. (In the Hopi language, the word Koyaanisqatsi means "unbalanced life".) It is also a 1982 movie of note.
Will Robertson, Ridgecrest, CA
A red heifer is supposed to be a big deal. If it has absolutely no black hairs, it can be used to consecrate the Third Jewish temple in Israel. There was one born recently in Minnesota? There have only been 9 certified red heifers born since the first temple. Just saw something about this on Drudge the other day.
ReplyDeleteA rose colored nose. Rosie!
ReplyDeleteRedhead.
ReplyDeleteLucy?
Red and pink and so sweet-what about Strawberry?
ReplyDeleteShe's beautiful! Congratulations Sparky!
ReplyDeleteIn the early morning sun, she is the color of burnished Copper. That would be a good name.
ReplyDeleteFern
I think Copper is a great name. It's also so valuable now!
DeletePinky would be a good name!
ReplyDeleteShe looks like a Rosie to me!
ReplyDeleteI would call her Lucy.
ReplyDeleteI vote for Rosebud.
ReplyDeleteShe looks like a little copper asset to me. How about Penny?
ReplyDeleteI think she is the color of a good "Brandy"
ReplyDeleteGarnet, like a red gemstone. Don't you already have a Ruby?
ReplyDeleteGinger.
ReplyDeleteI second that!
DeleteI second the vote on Ginger.
ReplyDeleteTartare
ReplyDeleteRita in VA
I vote for "Merida". It's the name of the red haired heroine in the Pixar/Disney movie "Brave".
ReplyDeleteRosebud was the first thought that came to my mind too.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking pinky before I read the suggestions so now Pinky has a second. And she's cute too. God does good work.
ReplyDeleteCame here to suggest Ginger & see I got beat to it. So, that's 3!
ReplyDeleteJan in NWGA
As she was born in the days of the "supermoon" and it was before the sun came up, how about Luna.
ReplyDeleteEmber! She glows so warm and bright and she's the little offspring of a Spark-y :-)
ReplyDeleteHope you're having a lovely summer so far
~Clare
I would call her Autumn.
ReplyDeleteIf she is a completely red heifer, how about something Hebrew? Or, I like Lucy or Penny. She is so cute.
ReplyDeleteLucy...every farm should have a red cow named LUCY
ReplyDelete:) Paulette
Ginger was my first thought.
ReplyDeleteA.jones
I think 'Sunrise' would be fitting.
ReplyDeleteRose
ReplyDeleteHow about SparkLett?
ReplyDeleteMy vote goes to Ginger.
ReplyDeleteStrawberry or Matches
ReplyDeleteHow about Annie. Sounds like a good cow name to me.
ReplyDeleteKelly
My son says her name should be Little Molly. He names everything on my little farmstead.
ReplyDeleteKelly
Elsie Borden?
ReplyDeletePetunia :)
ReplyDeleteCopper.
ReplyDeleteSteve Davis
Anchorage, AK
What about Ginny from Harry Potter? She's a redhead and it's closer to Ginger but probably not as common if used at all.
ReplyDeleteStormy (Harbinger, then.)
ReplyDelete