ALEX’S BABY

BUT FIRST – Who is that in my garden? Gobbling up the eggplant.

Naughty pig. Tane went from the garden to the walnut tree (which is looking a little worse for wear but is still alive and dropping nuts). Tane was so excited about the walnut tree that he and Tima decided to sleep under it last night. But they are supposed to be making friends with Wai so that they can keep each other warm over the winter so I moved them back into the barn field.  Wai sees Tima and runs for his life.  Poor wee fella I would too. So I am not sure of this plan so far.

And now to Alex’s baby.

The night before last I heard coyotes and taking the dogs and the torch went out to check Alex but she was standing calmly chewing her cud. All in one piece. Then in the morning yesterday there she was with this tiny baby – half way down Pat’s Paddock but along the inside fence-line which was sensible.  The sun was just coming up and it was going to be a nice day so I left them down there.  Newborns are happier left at the birth site for a few hours while they get their bearings. Baby was already drinking and drying off in the warm morning.

Baby is small and stocky, strong looking and once she dried off it looks like she will be the same colour as her mother.  Alex is a full Dexter and so is Carlos the bull, who has been sold on,  so this baby is a full Dexter as well.

A strong baby. I think she has her mothers eyes.

Look at her – standing in tripod formation to get her balance on new legs. I am fairly sure this is a little heifer. Alex needs time to settle down before I investigate. She stands in front of her baby then backs up if I approach.  But there is no hurry I tell her.

The other two calves settled down close to Alex and her baby and they all spent the day sleeping in the sun.  So she will be part of the herd in no time.

Anyway – I got Molly’s  (the sow’s) farrowing house all ready for her. She even has her lights on now, though I think she has a few days to go yet but she surprised me last time – which is fine, she knows what she is doing.  Tomorrow night and the next night are in the 40’s so let’s hope she does wait a few days.  That is getting a bit chilly.  And for the first few days the little piglets tend to hang close to Mum – hard to get under the warm light for very long.  I set up her Pig TV (baby monitor) which went really well for a while then stopped – I will work on it today.

Alex the cow, will not sleep in the barn, she gets too anxious so last night I settled them both in a small enclosed area against the barn wall and closed the gate  My pack of coyotes have not given me any trouble but I am very careful not to put small animals in harms way. It is best baby and Mama are close to the house until baby is really mobile.  Alex is a fighter but baby would get caught in the crossfire.

Baby was deep in the straw last night,  with her mother laid in front of her on an angle – cows do this often with their newborns, effectively blocking their babies in. Often the calf is tucked into the lee of the mother keeping the breeze off baby and keeping her safe from danger.

I hope you have a lovely day.

Love celi

WEATHER: Another good day for farmers.

Friday 09/29 0% / 0 in
Mainly sunny. High 74F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph.

Friday Night 09/29 10% / 0 in
Clear skies. Low 46F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph.

Sun
6:47 am 6:37 pm
Moon
Waxing Gibbous, 68% visible 3:16 pm 12:27 am