Elsie The Wild

I have decided not to try and milk Elsie again. She got progressively worse each time I tried and both of us ended up scraped and sore. (Me flinging myself totally across the room to miss a right cut to my jaw). I could not even get the cups near her yesterday. She kicked out every time I approached.   Injuries can happen both for the cow (who was throwing herself about) and I – plus it is dangerous for the calf as well. On a normal day her ears are back all the time and you can see the whites of her eyes every time she whips her head around. Trying to milk her sent her over the edge. And when I tried to undo her tether in the milking shed she reared her head back and literally head-butted my hand.  Deliberately. This was not a knee jerk kick. That behaviour is no good.

I am sure a more experienced dairy woman could handle her but I can’t.

Best for me to quit while I am ahead.  I have a wee heifer and a Mama to feed her. That works. 

She is such a good mother though.  Standing watch as baby sleeps and gently backing over to the calf when she stands up. Standing dead still when baby is drinking. She is deeply nervous and protective of her calf.   But that is not her only problem – she does not like people – that is the main problem.

Sometimes the plan changes – it is important to recognise the change and turn with it. Tacking in a different direction to catch the wind.  I am not getting into a battle of wills with this cow.

So yesterday she and her calf spent the day in the dim back room of the barn. The Cadet and I peeked at her every now and then.  She had food and water and peace. Baby was drinking on and off and doing a lot of Day Two sleeping.

I am sure that Lady A will be much easier to milk. She is a totally different kind of cow. She loves to be patted and scratched, very calm, I can even hand feed her.  So I have a feeling that she may be a better bet.  Though I should not speak too soon. (Touching wood, dancing on one leg in a circle to the West). And she is not ready to calve yet, her udder is still quite small.  Let’s hope at the very least she gives birth as easily as Elsie the Wild.

The chicks are all doing well. Such a good hatch rate. Only one egg not hatching.  They sleep in under and around their Mama Table heater. They are so much quieter than chicks under lights.

The Cadet and The Chick.

Well I had better get going. Yesterday quite wore me out. I could go back to bed you know! But off to work we go. Me and my dogs.

The La Manchas – kidding around!

Good morning. We have some pretty wild squally storms galloping through. I will get out my big oil-skin raincoat and go out early and check the pigs in their huts  – the kunes might want to come into the barn in all this lightning – I hope you all have a lovely day.

Your friend on the farmy,

celi