Harlequin

Yesterday morning I went across to the West Wing to feed the four calves there and found that the little-ist one, who last week scoured so badly she was coating the walls in a bloody mess, was laid down shivering.  The nights have been cooler but not that cold.  She got up for her bottle then went and laid down again while the rest of the calves did their post- drink frolic:literally kicking up their heels and leaping about. Harlequin Bobbi just laid there and shook.  (When everyone was sick I had to write names on the bottles so there was no cross contamination and called this one Harlequin Bobby because of the markings on her face.  Though as a rule I only name animals I intend to breed). Harlequin has always drunk well since the sickness but still does not thrive.

So I picked this little calf up – she makes Little look chubby – popped her in the back of the car with the dogs and brought her back home. I put a jacket on her and got her to drink some electrolyte as warm as she could have it and laid her in a sunny pen. After a few hours she gathered herself back up again and her shivering calmed. She is now in with Little so she can join his three times a day feeding schedule.

She is so small.  So skinny. 

Later I took her coat off and pushed her out into the sun. After introducing herself to everyone she and Little Bobby found a corner of tall weeds and like good calves made a warm nest and went to  sleep for the afternoon with TonTon on watch.

Yesterday, while Pania was out walking I took her eggs away, (feeling like a robber) gave her four chicken eggs and put the peacock  eggs in the incubator.   I have a wee waiting list for peachicks so these ones will be sold.  And Hugo flies in from Marseille, France tonight, and this means he might be able to see a hatching too!   Hopefully in a few weeks.

Hugo will arrive late tonight. He is eighteen (the youngest working guest I have ever had to stay)  and keen as mustard to get to work.  He is coming from France to stay here a few months and as well as farm he also wants to learn English. So like Fede he will go home speaking American English with a Kiwi accent. I think he will be an animal person – everyone finds their niche – we will see.  But I have a feeling that he will be adopted by this lot! This swarm of squealing pig-ness. 

They will charm him for sure. 

Naomi is growing into such a handsome heifer. Hopefully this weekend John will help me shift her across to live with  the steers.  (I cannot fit her in the back of my car!) She is very tired of living with pigs and these little calves are just too puny for such a boisterous heifer to play with. She needs a herd and Daisy’s Bobby will be off to the abbatoir in early September so Queenie’s Bobby will be needing the company.  Queenie’s Bobby is a beef cow so she gets to grow for another year.

This morning when I began my chores Sheila and Poppy were both sleeping together in their hut. Both with their heads facing outward into the light of the rising sun.  Both totally relaxed.  I was so pleased to see them reunited like that. Do you remember Charlotte and the terrible bloody battles  she had  with Sheila after I weaned Charlotte from her piglets.  That was awful. This is so much better. This is the way it should be.  Much calmer.

I have learnt a lot over the last few years.  And Poppy has done us proud.

I hope you have a lovely day.

Your friend on the farm,

celi