I was out splitting firewood last week, and watching the cows in the adjacent field.
Our biggest concern over the last few weeks has been Filet, our pregnant Angus. We don't know exactly when she was bred, and therefore we don't know exactly when she's due. A cow's gestation is nine months and ten days (hence the old expression, "Nine months for cows and countesses"), which puts the birth of the calf smack in the middle of winter. Our best guess is it will be born within the next three to five weeks or so – but possibly earlier.
While (oddly) we don't have any snow on the ground at the moment (highly unusual for January), we've been having very cold temperatures at night. I've been watching Filet like a hawk, checking for early stages of delivery – notably her udder bagging up and strands of mucus dangling from her backside.
If she looks like she's in early labor, we'll probably shoo the cows into the pasture right below the house for the night, unless it's raining or heavily snowing, just so we can be present to make sure the baby doesn't freeze to the ground.
Why don't we just shut her into the barn, you may ask? It's because Filet is a former range cow, and does not like being in the barn. Shutting her in would probably stress her far more than just letting her have her calf outdoors. However if we're in the middle of the blizzard of the century or experiencing temperatures that might kill a calf, then tough patooties, we'll shut her into the barn.
Ug, winter calves.
Her virginial track start to widen, and mucus will appear. It could be a few days to hours before the calf is born. Seems to be when we are sleeping, they surprise us with a new little one. If it is her second calf it will drop ,and move to the back section of her body. That was the clue I always watched for before the calf is dropped.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes on the new addition to your homestead.
I read that a cow will deliberately try to have her calf when people are not around or apt to be around.
ReplyDeleteCan you call the people from whom you obtained her to ask about how far along she might be?
Is it possible she might want to come inside to have her calf?
Just as problematic is goat kids in freezing weather. I lost a couple because of heavy snow covered them and could not find them.
ReplyDeleteDaddy used to bring new calves inside and put them in front of the fireplace. He'd rub them down to dry them off with burlap, and when they were dry and warm, take them back to their Mama.
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