6 Days to go …
Here are a few pictures of Lady’s udder. Many of you have experience in these things so you can join in the guesswork. There are 6 days to go until Lady Astor’s due date. May 1st. I personally don’t think she will go the full six days. Lady A is a Dutch Belted/Holstein cross. This will be her fifth calf. So she does know what she is doing but there are no guarantees that all will go well. The last few days she has been doing a lot of lying down and yesterday she did not get up immediately for a little grain I had brought out for her.
Every night she comes into the barn because although I would rather the cows calve in the field in the day time – I don’t like that happening in the night time. We have big packs of coyotes roaming this year and local dogs that are loose and even though the coyotes have never given me any trouble, I have always been careful not to supply them with the opportunity. 
And you never know when a cow will surprise you with an early calf.
Yesterday she saw the dogs off twice which is not like her and was dropping thick mucousy strands. Her teats are getting smaller and harder and her rear is getting softer. (This tail is flying due to the wind, I have always found the raised tail and seeking a quiet space to be my best indicator of imminent birth).
And can you see how she has dropped down from her hips. Baby is getting into position. Though she was doing a lot of grunting yesterday afternoon so I hope that baby is in the right position. It will be in the next few days I think.
But I don’t mind when she calves, as long as the birth goes well, we get a good healthy calf and the milking season commences. If all goes well. That sounds like a lot to ask for doesn’t it.
The apple tree is smothered in blossoms this year and Tima is happy to be back in her apple blossom pen.
Now. Off I go to check our cow again, turn her back out into the fields, then begin the days work. Conor is right behind me so we will get piles done this week before he leaves in a week.
I hope you have a lovely day.
Love celi
38 Comments on “6 Days to go …”
Leave a Reply
JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER:
DO A LITTLE SHOPPING:
Thank You So Much For Your Kind Help with Maintaining This Blog
thekitchensgarden 
She’s definitely wearing a, “Go away and leave me in peace look” 🙂
She is a beautiful looking cow .. Soon to be a Mum. Tima looks particularly happy …
I hope that the baby is in proper position and all goes well.
Everything possible crossed for a happy outcome!
love,
ViV xox
How about your eyes, Viv? Got them crossed, too? Heheh, Gayle
:
Twins , today or tomorrow 🙂 Both her baby bump and udder look huge compared to last week. No experience here though. Laura
Goodness, she’s a heavy girl! As for your apple blossoms, we just now seeing a few leaf buds appearing. Spring is so slow this year, and last night we had another hard frost. Cold air from the arctic blowing through here all week. >
Lady Astor very definitely wants to be left alone methinks!! She has dropped a mile since the last photo: at that stage the bub was visible and facing the right way . . . . but a vet I am not, just used to bringing ordinary two-legged babies into the world way back when 🙂 ! Good luck to mother, babe[s] and Miss C . . .
Good luck with Lady A. Tima looks very pleased at her position under the blossoms.
Oh to be a cow and have you look after me!
Fingers crossed that all goes well for Lady A. You are greening up there aren’t you, as Misky said our spring is very late this year.
She has the eye of a lady ready to go. 24 hours?
Oddly enough, I’m watching two right now. Going well so far. They usually pop out without us knowing, but one is a first time birth, so we’re keeping an eye on her. The calves this year aren’t too big, so I think she’ll manage.
I won’t be surprised if your next post includes a calf picture.
When a doe starts producing the mucous strings, and the ligaments at the base of the tail go soft, it’s time to coax her to the place where you hope the kids will be born.
Good luck, Lady Astor!
Sounds like you might have a new addition by this time tomorrow methinks. Good luck.
With all the signs you’ve reported, I’d say you will have a new calf by Wednesday. I love that lush green grass! Best of luck with the birthing.
Good luck! I know nothing about cows so I won’t guess.
If you don’t already have a calf on the ground, I’d say expect one at any moment. There is a storm system coming in this afternoon/evening so that might help things along. I can’t tell from the pictures for sure, but it looks as though she has hollows (sunken areas) by her tail head. That is usually a sign that that her muscles have relaxed for the birth. I’ve always thought she resembled a Holstein somewhat, now I know why. Looking at the rest of the herd in the background, Auntie Del is looking quite nice and the new little one could run under her with room to spare or use her for a shady spot.
I don’t know aany cows & can’t remember exact details about our Milky Way’s birthing of Zero the baby Toggenburg goat way back when, so I won’t guess either, but I am wondering if that is horseradish growing under your & Tima’s apple tree? It is thought to be a good companion planting here in North Carolina. Best wishes for a sweet & easy birthing for Lady Astor & you. J.
Go mama, go! Love the picture of happy Tima in the flowers.
Good to protect at night from wild dogs or coyotes. Lady Astor as you say seems to be taking her own time.
Love that last picture – the white flowers dotting complimenting Tima’s accent of spots
By looking at your photo I would say she is very, very close…the secret to it all will be mucus strings and the ligaments at the base of the tail…everything needs to look soft and open. My guess is two to three days, although (just like women) things can progress fast. You can feel along the sides and tell if the baby is in the right position and pointing correctly. Soon now. Soon!
Linda
I have never felt the calf that clearly – I will go out and try now. c
YES! I saw it when she was laid down on her belly.. looked amazing.. c
Goodness me, I don’t have much experience in these things but I’d say it was pretty imminent! Find gers crossed for a smooth and easy (daytime ) delivery 😊
I wouldn’t know either… but grunting and loss of mucous sure sounds like an imminent delivery to me… sounding, actually, like the process has begun.
And, yes, the photo of Tima in her apple blossoms is lovely. Nothing green on our shrubs yet but the buds are visible now, thank goodness…and the magnolias across the street are in full blossom. So any day now. Hope your day goes well with Lady A and you, very soon, have a new farmy member to introduce to us. ~ Mame 🙂
Knowing that it can not be taken for granted, we all wait for news of a healthy delivery.
She has that ‘Not one bit comfy, no sir’ look on her face. Soon, soon, I think. Hopefully as it’s a fifth calf he or she will slip out quickly and gently. She knows the drill, it’s just the baby that’s going to decide when and where. Best of luck. And darling Tima in her flower bower, thank you for that lovely photo 🙂
Wishing you and the Lady every good and happy and smooth going.
I don’t think she’s going to make it 6 days.
Neither – but she is hanging on in there! c
oh my- I have no experience and all the respect for those ( like you) who know what to expect- fingers and legs crossed! Love the photo of Tima!
You are such a mom and a farmer!! LOL…we do the exact same things in spring – watch the moms for signs of newbies! I just love baby anything…even chickens (and they are ugly when they are fresh out of the egg – hee heee). Baby everything is all around…we even have a couple of baby bunnies in the front yard now (guess mom thought it was the safest spot?) – just spotted them yesterday. Cant wait to hear/see the good news – grandma!! LOL
City girl is getting excited!!! Much love to Fellowship, Farmy and, queen of them all, Miss Celi! Gayle.
Coyotes, wild dogs and bob cats are always a worry in the spring. My but Lady A’s udder is huge… with all of the physical indications,and that she’s looking for a spot to settle to, I’d be surprised if she hasn’t calved by Wednesday. I’m sending positive energy and good vibes for an easy delivery!
She has weenie teats for a lady with so much experience. Do you hand milk or use a machine Celi? Those teats are starting to ‘strut’ so I don’t think long yet. Goop doesn’t seem to be a reliable sign but that udder doesn’t have very far to go, I think.
It’s all very exciting to me. And I’m prepared for “come what may”…
I was admiring that apple blossom pen in your header. 😀 Tima looks right at home.