Friday Farm Report and Comments for Friends

~*~FIRST DAY OF SPRING~*~Finally! Spring is here, new grass is peaking through the brown and grey, sun is shining bright and all the farm animals are out sunning and feeling good!

I didn't get any pictures of the humongous calf until this morning. In the picture below you can see how big his head is..Norm wears a size 10.
This next picture shows the difference in height between him and 4 week old Torro! Granite Torro was a twin so he was born smaller than a full term calf, but he is 4 weeks old now and bigger than a newborn-full term calf now. Humongo stands about 4 inches taller than him.Here he is next to me. And this is the picture that I think best shows his size!

Just some more pics I took this morning:So taking a poll! I'm gonna let you all name him! So leave me a comment and Monday I'll have the kids pull a name out of the hat by random!

Let me answer some questions over the last few days that some of you left.

Weaver - your right, the larger the herd the more problems...however! The problem we have had with cows calving and getting their backs down hill this year (4 total) is not common! Mostly this happens with a young heifer who doesn't know how to pick a good spot to calve. We have had 3 older, experienced cows do that this year though! Only one youngster! Why the number of complications this year from that we don't know....hopefully this wont be a trend! With our number its common to loose a few calves a year from stillbirth, maybe a prolapse, or born a dummy calf (which the large calf we are now feeding is). Cow loss is most mainly due to old age. Its usually the heifers that have the most trouble with calving. This year though the old girls seem to be the trouble. Normally, there isn't the amount of trouble during calving season as we have had this year! I am going to blame it all on Liz over at Goings on at the mad bush farm! I believe she is right, we have Mad Bushitis! LOL We have had a mad farm so far this year! More going on than I sometimes care to report! LOL But hey maybe someone can learn from all the experiences that we have had this year. I on the other hand hope that the complications our girls have had are over!

These are the heifer calves that will be calving next spring...lets wish them all good luck! They are a nice gentle bunch of calves and hopefully have some smarts about them too!Yes I do believe that my toe is indeed broken. My first broken bone! I should wear it like a badge, but it still hurts so bad! I do fine when I'm off my feet, except for sleeping, I have been getting it tangled in the blankets and that really hurts! But today I'm walking better, I can apply pressure to the left side of my foot more, but not on the ball of my foot or my toe. Oh well....I said earlier that one thing I've learned from that experience is to wear steel toed boots....but Lisa corrected me!
Here is her comment:

Awwwww, poor you! That musta hurt! But don't hold yourself to blame for not wearing steel toed boots around horses (do cowboys wear steel toed cowboy boots? No.) Wanna know why?Because they can sometimes cause a worse injury than just a horse hoof on a regular boot.I know a guy who was wearing steel toe boots to do some work on a barn (he builds them) and while doing his stuff a horse came over and stepped on his foot...it wasn't even all that hard. But the steel bent down in towards his foot and severed two of his toes!!If he had not been wearing the steel toed boots he'd have only had some swelling and bruising...and at the worst a broken toe. Now he only has 3 toes on one foot. He says he will never work around horses in steel toed boots again.

Point well taken Lisa! I will now correct my lesson learned to wearing a GOOD boot! I'd rather have 10 broken toes than not having all 10 toes!!!! Thanks for pointing that out to me!!!I let King out of the barn today after being cooped up for a week. I had to keep him off of soft and rocky ground so that hoof will heal. He is limping a lot...BUT I saw today that the abscess has come through the top of his hoof at his cornet band....I didn't know it would come out that high, but its draining good this morning! So I think after 4 weeks of trying to mend him that we are finally over the worse of this. I applied some Black Diamond Liniment (click HERE to purchase and read about Black Diamond)

Black Diamond Liniment is a wonder/cure all! It has been used for years on animals and then people. It brings the soreness out of a bruise, heals cuts and wounds in record time, and even gets rid of zits! LOL Active Ingredients are Turpentine, Fractions, linseed oil, Camphor, Oil of Eucalyptus. We use it all the time for us and why I didn't think of using it for King sooner I dont know...he has had 3 doses of Black Diamond applied to his abscess and it already in that short amount of time caused it to come to the surface and drain. I applied more today to the new place on his hoof where it is draining. Norms family has been using this stuff for years...his Pap used to say that when applying it on a horse, use a feather. Thats how little you need for this stuff to do its job. Its amazing stuff! And I didn't know this until today but its made here in Kentucky! I've been putting it on my toe and my foot where its bruised and it brings the soreness out within 10 minutes and it lasts for a long time! I really recommend that you get some of this and have it around your home and barn!!

King was enjoying getting out in the sunshine and nibbling on the grass! It should do his spirit good and that alone will make him feel better!

I tried to leave some comments for everyone but my Internet stinks and wouldnt let me! That aggravates me so much! So here it goes!

Pony Girl -I loved your pink and green theme today, but more than that I loved looking at those precious baby pictures of your Boy! I know it had to have been love at first sight!

Gin -I'll try to get over this weekend and take a look at that vest you've made! With this broken toe I've got I dont know how much I'll get out!

Weaver - What a neat and clever idea!!!!! I cant wait to see how this turns out! Click this link HERE to read more about Weavers project! I think this is really intriguing and I think I might try this out! Looks like we have matching tractors!

Amy - I bet your horse-loving daughter loved seeing that horse roaming the street! Glad it was caught though before the poor horse got hurt! Your photos this morning are beautiful! I need to begin my daily walks! Since warmer weather is here I have no excuse to stay in the house and not exercise!

Spinner - How great you were able to get back in the saddle again! I'm happy that you wernt too sore either! Little Angus sounds like a happy little calf! We have to keep our bottle fed's in a stall unless we are with them..the road is too close, and with so many cows calving he'll just end up in the bunch and hard to track down! I try to let him out in his own little lot to run and play, usually they have a playmate with another calf or the dog...Dontcha love to watch them play!!!??

Good luck with Calico and Paris...cant wait to see Calico's baby! And hopefully Paris's too!

Elaine - Has time really passed long enough for those puppies to find new homes??? Awwww you'll surely miss those furry little faces, but I can bet that you'll also be glad to send them off to a new home and enjoy the peace! LOL

Jennifer - That coop is looking awesome! I get to start on mine as soon as my toe feels better.

I LOVE the raptors, especially hawks! We have them everywhere around here, but they have never bothered my song birds at my feeders (crossing fingers that they continue to stay away!)

your hawk looks to me to be a Coopers Hawk, more than a Sharp Shinned...the later usually has a more grey color to their feathers and the breast is usually whiter than the coopers.....I've been lucky to actually hold a Coopers Hawk before and your picture definitely looks like the one that I was so lucky to be so close too. But like ya said, hard to tell at this angle.

Lisa - WOW! I've never seen anything like that rattler! LOL Thats really cool! And yes typical boy to have to be king of the hill! OUCH! whats with making yourself miserable girl! LOL That sunburn looks miserable! Your just a gluten for punishment! (kidding you!) Baby Doll looks a lot like my Jack....and its so cute to see how the whole farm come to the gate to look for you when you call! Surely they are missing you!

Peggy - I love your new header picture! So when does Kuma's family get back? I bet he misses them a bunch..but he'll probably miss you tons when he has to leave all his new friends!

Kacy - I just loved your post " My world with a horse"! LOVELY! And that grooming stone...its awesome isnt it! I use them too on my horses and I've not found anything that works better at getting those hairs they are shedding and mud/hair clumps out either! The Wonder Stone! And its so much cheaper than the rest of that stuff out there! Call me when you get a chance, or should I say when you get off your horse long enough to make a call! LOL ( again that little green eyed monster is coming out int me! he hehe!)

Karen - Your not the first to tell me that your husband has stole your goat milk products! LOL Yes I can do Sandalwood ! I'll drop you an email and let you know when I can mail it out! Thanks again for the order! Happy Birthday to Cow Boy! What an adorable name for your pooch! Again that little green monster is emerging each time I look at that beautiful landscape you and Colt get to see on each ride! I'm gonna HAVE to get my butt out west and visit! Norm tells me that if he wins the lottery (fat chance) that we'll get a big ranch out west! Oh to dream!

Cathy - Glad to see the bunch is rounding the corner on good health! LOL You sound like me with the teasing..I tell Doug that the gypsies left him on my doorstep! Of course when he is sick I too feel like telling him I'd like to sell him to the gypsies! HA HA. We had Doug's doctor apt. yesterday to get his test results to see if he had Whooping Cough or not and they werent back in yet...so another day home from school...we are driving each other crazy!

Country Girl - I only wish I could keep up with you! You are one wonder woman!

Christy - That is one of the cutest header pictures I've seen yet! How much fun Logan must have with those new babies! That looks like a Dogwood.....wonder what everyone else said?Cant wait to see the new sheep!

And last but certainly not least Liz - Thanks for giving us Mad Bushitis! LOL I didn't realize Micha was so big! LOl I forgot he was a bull I reckon! I bet the girls are sad to see him go.....it's hard, we just sold 2 of my favorite bulls, both Marchigiana's and they were sweet, quiet, and nice looking bulls - Oh well, they kept throwing white calves and they just dont sell very well around here!

Okay off to put my sore foot up, I've been on it all morning and its now swollen and blue...and not to mention hurts! Ouchy is right Liz! LOL

Talk soon...may be off for the weekend, my daughter will be home and we usually have a full weekend when she is home!

Have a good First Day of Spring!

Views of the farm...and more LONG READ

Our girls from one herd (71 cows)

On to the next herd....

36 girls here

Awww too cute I love this next picture!

67 calves so far! Today we found a cow with a "tag" showing us that she has calved, however her bag is huge, teats haven't been sucked and no baby in sight....we looked but never found the baby. Its such a large area, and they often calve in the woods, and with all the limbs down from the Ice Storm we had last month it's much harder to find where the momma has laid her calf down at...

I'm really tired of problems with our animals.

When I went to feed today King was limping something terrible again....*sigh*....we cleaned hooves, and placed him in the dry, straw bedded, barn for the night. Josh comes tomorrow at 7:30 am to trim his hooves and take a look at him, then it will be off to the Vet. Luckily it looks like he can be trailered tomorrow. If not, we'll have to call Dr. Mike on out again. I'm so disappointed, for one I want my boy to be feeling good and happy, for two I wanted to try riding if he was up to it.

This week has been a rough one. When I get off my sleep pattern I take awhile to get back on track. I take some meds that make me sleep and when I don't, its still in my system, so a deviation from routine is really hard. Besides being emotionally drained makes it even harder. I've had a hard time getting up and going back to sleep at night the last 2 days.

The stud muffin (aka Douglas) wrote Carlie (the girl he likes) a note and gave it to her:

Carlie,

I really like you.

Do you like me? (her answer was YES)

Douglas...insert phone number

(Calie left:)

Calie...insert phone number

I'm surprised he didn't have a check yes and no box! ;-)

Norm went to lease 3 bulls today (Angus), they will be delivered May 1st....to be added with the 3 we already have. I sure hope they are gentle.

I got some information and an order form for Chickens today. Now I have to decide on what to order! Now to decide what kinds to get.

Here is what they got:

NEW HAMPSHIRE'S - A profitable bird that is not quite so large. They lay for 12 months excellent livability during the growing and laying season; 245 eggs per hen per year.

RHODE ISLAND REDS- the preference for country-style eggs. Produces brown eggs (more profitable) 1 -being in most places, brown eggs bring a premium of tow to ten cents a dozen over white eggs. 2- the salvage of a heavy hen after she is through laying increases the total new profit per bird.

GOLDEN SEX-LINKS (COMETS)- Their best selling brown egg layers. Mature hens weight 5 1/2 lbs. 245-255 eggs per hen per year. Shell is a rich brown with excellent interior quality. Pullets hatch out a beautiful golden brown color but the cockerel chicks are a creamy white. They dress out clean with no dark pinfeathers to detract from the appearance of the dressed bird.

WHITE LEGHORNS- Fast maturing, early laying. Excellent producers over long periods of time. require less feeds per dozen than the larger breeds. Shells are strong smooth and white. interior quality is unsurpassed. 98% free from blood spots means that the eggs are solid with pride and confidence. Producing 254 eggs per hen per year.

BUFF ORPINGTONS- Big beautiful gentle birds are a long favorite..brown eggs.

GOLDEN LACED WYANDOTTES- Similar to the Silver Wyandottes except coloring. Golden bay laced with greenish-black.

BLACK SEX-LINKS- dual purpose farm flock type breed. Mostly black when hatched, pullets mature into excellent layers of large brown eggs. Black with some red color on neck and breast. Cockerels resemble Barred Rocks.

ARAUCANAS- rare breed known as the Easter Egg Chicken. Not a large bird but in much demand for beautiful eggs..they actually do lay tinted eggs in the most surprising colors! - hmmmm I'll have to get these for the fun!

BLACK AUSTRALORPS- beautiful shiny black bird with greenish tint. Hens mature at 5 - 6 months and weigh approx 6 - 8 pounds, makes a nice fryer.

CORNISH CROSS- rapid-growing and efficient broiler. may expect a few black flecks in their white plumage. Brown Eggs.

BARRED PLYMOUTH ROCKS- Average lay 250 eggs per hen per year. Weighing 6 1/2 pounds at maturity. Big brown eggs of superb quality, those who raise declare they make the most delicious Sunday dinners over any other breed.

WHITE PLYMOUTH ROCKS- fast maturing, heavy bodied pullets, top production of large, brown premium grade eggs, when laying season over enjoy quality meat at low cost.

You can tell spring is closing in!

The March Lilly's have begun to bloom!

Soon I'll have a carpet of yellow covering my wild flower garden back in the woods.

Well, that's all I can think about for now to write about...OHHH thought of something else..I'll save that for tomorrow, this is long enough already!

Rae

Cow Psychology, Calf Pictures

I believe she was posing for this picture!

The baby sitter was keeping these three under control

Calf we had to pull out of a sink hole today...he's fine - took him to momma and he immediately began to eat!

Cow Psychology Jerry Davis link-

Too good Liz not to post again!

Pasture cows are jealous of cows that have been kept in the corral and fed for awhile, even if they have been sick. Be expecting the pasture cows to not give them a very good reception when you release them back to the pasture.
Never feed cows using your dress-up "Sunday pickup". Cows don’t know any better than to bump into it and lick the road-grime off of it. They leave big cow licks all over it.
Hoe handle across the head may be the best way to train cows to keep their nose out your business.
If you see a new baby calf running as fast as he can go with his tail curled over his back and waving like a happy flag, then smile with him, he just had dinner.
Cow’s tongues are as coarse as the most coarse grade of sandpaper; if you want to see or feel one just stick out you hand with molasses all over it, the cow will do the rest.
Don’t ask a rancher how many cows he has; if he only has a few he don’t want you to know. If he has a lot, he won’t know how many and he don’t want you to know. He probably won’t ask you how much money you have in the bank.
Only ask ranchers three questions; "How’s the cattle market, up or down?", "Have you got enough stock water?", "Have you got enough winter grazing or hay this year?"
Cows don’t like anything done to them at any age, so if it involves pain do it while they are young.
The lead cow is always watching to see if you are coming with feed.
The lead cow keeps everyone informed of your whereabouts.
The lead cow takes everyone to the best hay or grazing.
If you sell the lead cow another cow will take her place and do exactly the same thing.
The lead cow only loses credibility if she tells the herd you are coming with feed and it turns out you are not.
Credibility doesn’t mean a lot to cows and forgiveness comes easily.
Mother cows can forget where they left their babies, but if the cow is any good she keep looking and bellowing until the calf stands up and says "here I am mama".
Cows will bed down their baby calves and leave them alone with the varmints and the elements until time for the next feeding; sometimes as long as six to eight hours.
Cows tell baby calves to be still and not move until they return; not all calves listen. Mother cow will scold her calf when she returns, if the calf has moved.
Cows know what coyotes are and how to deal with them; you can worry about them if you want to. Time is probably better spent worrying about stray dogs and hogs when it comes to baby calves.
Lead cows like to make you think the whole herd is hungry.
A baby hawk on the ground in the pasture can stir the deepest and most fearful emotions in a herd. The herd not understanding the beast in distress, will gather around and stomp and bellow the poor beast into the ground.
Cattle work that involves a flow of blood should be saved until all other herd work is done. Cattle react very similar to elephants and get very upset and confused at the smell of blood from the injury of a fellow herd member.
A cow whose calf has died may accept another calf as her own if the hide from the dead calf is tied to the new calf. It’s the smell of the original calf that makes her think it’s hers. After the adoption it will be hers.
A first year heifer may not know what her newborn calf is and that she has responsibilities. If you keep her and the calf penned up for a few days they will get to know one another.
Calves being weaned will bellow strongly for their mothers for about four days. If you listen it hurts real bad.
Cows don’t have much to think about, so if you see one standing alone doing a lot of thinking, you may want to see if she is close to birthing time. Pregnant cows will stand in a little different way while their calves are getting into position to be born. This usually happens several days before birthing.
Bulls have to determine which one of them is dominant. A fight between bulls that weigh about the same may last more than an hour and will not end until one hollers calf rope.
Bulls get very possessive of their herd of cows and will walk the fence chasing any and all cows and calves away from it if other bulls are within cruising distance of the fence.
If you hear an extreme blast of air from the bulls nose you and the cows will move away from the fence or else pay for the bruises.
Bulls get the best feed by pushing everyone else out of the way.
Bulls don’t mind if younger bulls follow them around and watch during training sessions.
If you have to remove a dead cow from a pasture where other herd members are grazing; take the time to remove the main herd first and spare them the pain. Just like elephants, they know when you are removing a loved one and won’t take kindly to it. Your emotions may get involved too, when you hear the dramatic trumpeting of the death march to the burial ground.
Keep the family dog away from the cows unless it is a cow dog there to work cows. Cows don't need to like your dog any more than they should like coyotes.
Most cows need three to four days of "bonding time" with their new baby calves. During this time they learn to recognize each other and check to see if all systems are go.
Calves born in a cow lot during cattle work get very confused. They look around and think they have a lot of mothers and have a tough time bonding. This is when you keep cow and calf in lot for a few days to ensure that bond.
Calves have to have Mother's milk within three hours of birth or else will likely die . Most cows know this.
Cows like to start their so-called walk to "look for a calf " about five to ten hours before calving. If you expect her to have a tough time calving you better get her in the lot right then.
A cow will almost always turn back in the lane before her calf will, making it easy to trap her calf.
Don't let cows smell your hands if you have been feeding cows in another pasture, they will know it and expect to be fed the same thing.
Cows are like cats; they smell each other's breath to see what the other one has been eating.
Cows don't burp very often, but if they do, what can you say about it.
Don't walk through a herd of cows at night unless you can sing something they know.
Cows will bellow and carry on in a squeeze chute even if it doesn't hurt ... it's the fear of what might happen that counts.
Don't give the calf you plan to butcher a name ; it's like fattening, butchering, and eating a family member.
Cows like their cattle pens to be painted in earth colors, such as brown metal primer.
Cows, contrary to what one might think, don't mind the smell of Ben Gay on a cowboy, somehow they understand.
Cows don't remember that you are the person that fed them all Winter if you are standing between them and their new born calf.
Cows always look for their calves at the last place they left them when they can remember where that place is.
Since Cows always look for their calves at the last place they saw them, then always carry off the calf to another pasture for weaning, never move the cow to a new pasture; she will just jump the fence and come home to get her calf.
If you are looking for a baby calf just walk past the cow into the pasture like you know where her calf is. If you watch her face you can tell when you are going in the right direction. She will go with you and show you the calf.
Talk to your cows a lot; they won't understand, but who else will love you for what you said to the cows.
Be sure and chew something when you are standing in a group of cows and they will accept you better.
Never worry about cows excusing themselves in their farm pond drinking water unless you are drawing house water from it also.
Don't ever complain about the smell of cow piles, remember mother always said that's just the smell of money in the making.
Cows are not offended if you wear the same old dirty clothes to the cow lot everyday. Cows learn real fast to recognize that you belong to them and you only come to see them about cow business.
Always keep a good muffler on your cow feeding pickup. If you don't, the cows will watch everything you do. They can't concentrate on grazing if they think you are coming to feed them.
If an ole cow has twins be sure to remind her of it. If you don't, she may only take one with her to the other side of the pasture. When you hear that lone twin bellow late at night, you're not going to get any sleep.
When you move a bunch of cows across the road, be expecting at least one of them to leave a baby calf behind and want to come home looking for it after you have gone back to the house.
Baby calves can only survive about two to three days with the mother cow on the other side of the road in a different pasture.
Remember there are three kinds of cows. Cows that have baby calves and cows that don't; the third kind are always bull cows.
If you are considering going into the cow business, be sure to build fences and buy feed first. You can then better judge by how much money you have left if you can afford more than one cow.
Cows are always suspicious of your motives unless you are pouring out their favorite feed right where they want it to be.
If you decide to touch a cow, be sure you do so at the front end or you may learn the real meaning of "kicker."
Cows are not normally deep thinkers except when they are chewing their cuds.
Cows always know which way the wind is blowing from and point to it with their rears.
If you wear tennis shoes while working with cattle , every one of them will pick on you.
Cows are slow thinkers and don't like to be rushed.
Always wait till a cow has her head pointed into the squeeze chute before you use the hot shot.
Wear your baseball cap when working cattle. Cows hate western hats and will knock it right off your head and stomp on it.
Cows are not going to take you very seriously unless you are in their way.
Cows will move smoothly around a curved corral and not get frustrated. If they can find a square corner, though, they will see if they can jump out.
Don't ever let a cow think she is smarter than you are; next time she will be.
Never run from cows in a pasture unless you don't know them and they don't know you. Cows hate cowards and will take advantage of them.
Young calves will sometimes make "gorilla charges" when you have your back turned. Most of the time they will stop their charge when they see your face.
Always unwrap your hay bales before you drive into the pasture where the cows are. If you don't, you and your feed pickup may suffer a few concussions.

~*~Torro~*~Scours Remedy- answer to comments

They say when God closes one door...

another opens.

Whether this is true with beloved pets or not I dont know. Maybe its situational??

But today was a very exciting day for us, in fact the whole weekend was!

We had a cow calve twins, before the second one was born the buzzards got to it and killed it. Which unfortunately happens a lot, they can be more of a threat than coyotes. Our neighbors the last few years have had a lot of trouble with the buzzards. The momma cow never recognized the second baby.

Torro, born this afternoon, February 22, 2009

is our latest addition. He is my first hand raised calf of this year, and he came at the perfect time!

We are still so sad about losing Oliver, Doug wants to bond with this new calf, in fact he was the first to imprint on him, but he is hesitant and scared to get attached for fear of loosing him too.

I'm tickled pink for the opportunity to raise another baby, though its bitter sweet.

A new baby is what we needed to get over this bad week we have had.

Torro took to the bottle right away, no need to tube him at all! So much less stress on a calf that way.

He's a little bull...in case the name didn't give it away! he he!

Other good news...Georgia should foal within the next two weeks! Her bag is growing, milk vein is much more prominent, and she is heavy with her baby, now spreading her back legs a lot to walk and when she relaxes. She now greats me with a friendly snort, knowing I'm the one that brings her the food she has grown to eagerly await for as soon as I walk out of the house! She even let me rub on her head! Major break through. In case you dont know...she hated me. Why? No clue...but she did. I think she is warming up. She is defiantly a mans horse.

Leah has already named the foal....Radish....you know "here's my horse - Radish" LOL Horseradish! Yeah I know thats now how its spelled, but gives us a laugh anyway. The next heifer calf we have that will be kept hand raised or not is Patty...Cow-Pattie. Oh the fun we had today with names! Leah cracked me up today. I love when she is so happy and excited!

The next good new's....I've been feeling really bad, went to the OBGYN worried that my cancer had progressed again. I was supposed to get checked up every 3 -4 months, but I got so tired of biopsy's that hurt, more tests, pokes and prods and went through a rough time emotionally because of it all that I quit going. They didn't know where the cancer cells were coming from for sure and they were actually pre-cancerous. I had cervical and uterine cancer, however I was lucky enough that a full hysterectomy was considered "corrective surgery" they said. I wasnt staged yet......so no radiation no chemo.

I was so lucky.

But again this weekend - GREAT news! My cancer cells are no longer active, they are what the doctor said "dormant"! They may never even become active again...or they may never. But they arent now and thats the news I needed to hear. However...there is always a however huh?? No clue to why I keep getting the fevers and the general all over feel bads. And she felt my lymph nodes in my neck where hard and swollen, and felt several lumps on my neck....great. Wasnt expecting that! I had an ultra sound done on Thursday...hopefully that will be all clear. I'll know sometimes this week for sure. But I'm optimistic that it will be nothing.

Okay......

HOMEMADE SOURS REMEDY:

The number one rule with a calf that gets scours is FLUIDS!!! They CAN die from scours. (for those who dont know....its the cows version of the runs!)

Here is the remedy...

Use for emergency Oral Fluids when you cant get to the store...

1 Table Spoon of 'lite' salt

1 table spoon baking soda

1 package jam or jelly pectin

2 quarts (4 pints) of water

Mix ingredients together and administer to cow or sick calf at least tow to three times per day if they have become noticeably dehydrated.

Some say to continue milk in between fluids, others dont..we have found its best to take them off milk for a day or two and give whats called Bounce Back, its the best we have found. There are many out there...you can get all kinds at TSC including the bounce back....the others arent worth a crap.

There is also one called Scours Remedy..cant remember the color of the packets... I'm thinking blue? But dont mark my word I'll have to ask Norm about that one. On the Bounce Back..yellow packet...it comes in two separate powders that you mic in warm water and instructions on the back on how to administer and how much, how often.

Hope this helps you out, and I'm sooooo sorry I couldnt get this up here sooner. I hope Angus is doing better!

hmmmm this weekend was jammed packed and I still have not had the opportunity to visit every one, I'm really sorry I havent been by!

Several of you asked me:

Lisa - when we sell the cow that had the still birth, she will be sold but she will be bought for meet...sad huh, but thats what they are raised for.

Libby and Lisa were interested:

Why did the calf die? No way to really know. More than likely the calf had problems that otherwise would make it impossible to live, maybe a deformity of his internal organs? He was HUGE so maybe his momma was in labor actually for a long time and she wasnt having the contractions or able to deliver him. He was too big for her to have, so maybe he stayed in her too long? Maybe the placenta ruptured while he was inside? I just dont know. Generally I think its due to the fact that the calf had problems that would cause him not to survive regardless. Does Momma get depressed when this happens? I dont believe they have the same feelings that we have, but I did learn with Oliver that they do can enjoy our company and affection that we show them long after they quit taking the bottle. When a cow looses her calf for whatever reason, for days she will stay with him, never wandering far...nudging him to rise, clean him even...as time goes on she wanders further and further away as her maternal instinct disappears. Not having the calf suck and seek her or call for her causes her to finally leave the dead calf. The cow today that had the twins was devoted ONLY to the first calf that the buzzards killed and never even recognized Torro at all as being hers, which is VERY common when twins are born. Libby. after trying to kill Norm and Neil when they got her in the barn to try to take to her other calf...I wont be patting her on the back! LOL But I'm glad she is fine and once she cannot find the dead calf, after awhile of looking and calling for him for a few days...life for her will go back to normal.

One interesting thing about cows though along these lines...They will often leave several calves with a cow - the Baby sitter....go graze and enjoy the time off for several hours...then switch out! Its been so neat every time I see one cow with several of her herd members babies following her and doing whats told! Such a human thing to do isnt it???? I'm glad the pics didnt gross anyone out, I had several close ups that were much more graphic, but decided against those!

Yes Libby I'd LOVE to write a book, I've got lots to tell LOL I'm a talker anyway...but it would be so much fun!

Lets shoot for 2 weeks to get together for Indian food, Leah said I'm not allowed to go without her, Indian is one of her favorites!

Hi there Crystal J! I'm so glad you stopped by!!! I'll check to see if you have a blog and come visit! Lambs are so cute its got to be a joy to raise one!!!! Your so lucky! Where do you live?

I'm anxious to hear about what all you do!

Hi Kim! I'm sorry I've not been able to email you, I'm so back logged with all my Etsy stuff, and emails and my blogging friends its unreal! I hope things are good with you, and I'm still hoping that we can get some of our team members together soon, if not all of em, those of us really close! What fun!!!!!

Hey there Amy! I'll get my 8 random things up - promise! I cant wait to catch up with you!

Hi Elaine, I cant wait to see what art you have been working on, I hope the puppies are doing well too!

Thanks for your comment Cathy! I really miss my little guy.....thanks for stopping by!

Ramblings...your a doll, hugs appreciated!

Liz...love you too, keep the Terrorist healthy and away from hills!!! LOL seriously.....I wish I could have her, Lord those big brown eyes stole me long ago!

Hey there KK...I'm sorry to hear you in a sad mood too...I'll have to come over and see whats up! Whatever it may be...HUGZ!

Hey there Christy! Missed talking to you....yeah last week was rough all around..but we trudge on, I had tons of bad news but this weekend sure brightened my mood up tons!

Hi there Ian, glad you stopped by, I'll check out the blog you told me about sounds interesting!

Liz...send Maggie on over! LOL she'll fit right in the hen house! LOL

LOL Elaine..people probably think Leah and I are nuts! But like Liz said actually riding a cow isnt so unusual, they mostly do it out west, and in European countries...In fact I'm sure you've seen the old time paintings or pictures of little girls riding a big old gentle cow! It used to be done a lot back when! Wouldnt it be neat to do that though...ride a cow in a parade??? I bet Leah and I would be the one's who got all the glory and attention! Bet we would make the paper for sure! LOL

Hi there Sue! thanks a lot for your comments too! I hope to come over and visit in the next day or so...

Okay its about 11 pm and I will be going out soon for another bottle for the calf and then bed so I'd better hop off here to get that ready and check on little Torro...Pictures tomorrow I promise. It was too dark in the barn today to get any!