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
The Kitchen's Garden 
38 responses to “6 Days to go …”
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.