Get down off that wardrobe Thing One and go outside, it is a lovely day. 
Did Miss c make you go outside too?
I am just watching The View melt.
Did I miss something?
No, we are watching The Thaw Tui. You can join us.
Is it thaw time?
No. It is just a thawy day.
But the chooks don’t mind, they are still hard at work preparing the corridor paddock to be sown with new grass seed in the spring. I spread the contents of Queenie’s sunroom stall out there for them to flick about.
Yesterday it stayed above freezing all day. This meant I could catch up on lots of farm chores. It is hard to spread manure when it is frozen solid, so yesterday and today are perfect days for this. The new compost heaps will be started today too.
Daisy begins her Once A Day milking today. From now on (if all goes well) she will be milked at 9.30 each morning. Her tests (using the California Mastitis Kit) came through OK though I will take more tests throughout this transition and then once a week after that. As you know a cow’s udder has four separate quarters, a sample of milk from each of these quarters is tested. This is very simple to do and now that we have the kit we will know if she needs attention. The consensus is that she has been fighting a sub-clinical infection. There were the remaining traces of this in two of her quarters. Though no other indications at all. But her natural health has fought it. So we will watch closely. If the somatic cell levels increase we will go back to twice a day. But I do think that with a more laid back milking schedule, less demands on her body plus a twice daily dose of the homeopathic remedy she will recover tip top health and a better attitude. It is all about balance and we need to help Daisy recover her balance.
I won’t go away and leave a milking cow again.
You all have a lovely day.
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
49 responses to “A Tiny Thaw that Melted the Daily View”
As always, your post made me smile. Wonderful photos!
Thank you Julia, a smile is worth it every time! c
That shot of the peacocks is priceless!
Have a great day, C!
Good news about Daisy. Maybe missing her mum upset her metabolism, pure and simple. When you’re so up-close and personal with her every day, she’s bound to miss you when you’re away. Sweet cow.
Christine
A day when temps are above freezing in January is such a gift, isn’t it? And even those of us who don’t have farm chores find reasons to be outside for a bit and breathe in the country air. Here’s to more thaw and less freeze!
“I won’t go away and leave a milking cow again.” You are a good cow mom. I essentially stopped travelling once I got Rudy, my rather high needs dog. I love to travel, but I love him tons more. The things we do for love…
I got a Soda Stream for Christmas!! I had wanted one for a long time, but I needed confirmation that it actually worked. When I read your endorsement, I put it on my Santa list because I know you aren’t into senseless gadgets. Thanks so much! I love bubbly water!
They work like a charm don’t they.. i just have mine for the water, I don’t add any other stuff at all.. so glad you like it Lacey! c
Hi Celi…. I have some thoughts. As a retired (human) Lactation Consultant, I’m concerned about Daisy’s milking being suddenly cut in half. This might contribute to mastitis. I’d recommend a more gradual reduction in her milking over several weeks…..but I’m no cow expert! Lol
There’s not gradual possible – there’s nothing in between once and twice. Celie’s care will do the trick. I well remember going cold turkey on weaning, due to an abscess, and I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy, let alone lovely Daisy.
Lovely pictures today – why do your puddles look cheerful and ours look just dreary?
She will adapt quickly to once a day like we did, and I am cutting down on her feed so she produces less for a wee while.. c
I will watch her carefully, and she will be tested every day, usually it works fine, .. the milkings will be staggered initially before we settle to 9.30 in the morning.. I will keep a good eye on her..c
Love your pictures this morning. Everyone looks like they’re enjoying the sun and melt. I’ve resigned myself to never going anywhere again because of milking but I do miss the occasional trip to the beach!
It won’t be long and the girls will cover for you..then maybe you and your husband can have a long weekend at the beach.. c
😀
A farmer’s life is never dull, is it??? You are a good woman to be so dedicated to your lovelies!!!!
This week should end at 11C they are saying. Everything will melt and then freeze. Glad it’s not too serious with Queenie. Have a lovely day C.
I think you mean Daisy (so many names) and yes we will keep on top of it.. c
Hold on, c. If you won’t go off and leave a milking cow behind, how will you see your grandchildren in the future? I think I’m going to well up now.
No, I will make sure she is dry, there is a long window between drying her up and the next birth, and I already have two visits organised for those periods.. in fact I am making plans two years ahead and breeding her to suit.. it is ok Misky, I will still travel and of course if there is an emergency i can always send her to a dairy farm.. c
Ah okay. I feel better. Can’t imagine, although in truth I can, not seeing grandchildren. It’s difficult.
I love your post and pics. I have a future family milk cow that will be ready to breed in February. Tallulah is so sweet. Until then, I have a couple of milk goats. We remember the days when we could travel- even at the spur of the moment- those days are mostly gone. However, the benefits to our health and our mental well being have been worth the trade.
It is definitely all about health, the plan has always been to take Daisy to once a day milkings so that she can remain healthy and we can have a little bit of a life in the late afternoons.. c
wonderful peering at table level at the peacocks, great shot!
I suppose the upside of the farm is that the chocks and piggies do some of the work for you – riffling through straw and clearing the ground of bugs and bits. I’d like to lease some for a while so they could clear my allotment 🙂
They are very good at preparing as plot for next year, they even do a little fertilising on the side!! c
that’s a win-win 🙂
Love your pictures (as always) and can almost “smell” the thaw… happy new year!
Happy New year Rachel.. c
Mud days!
It’s like a child that loves you so much they actually get sick when you are gone too long. Routine’s always help …..
Linda
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