I love having cows and calves!
I always watch craigslist for any good deals to increase our herd. Last week I found my deal, but it was over two hours away. The big question was whether it would be worth paying for her and all that gas? I have always wanted a charolais cow to contrast all of our black cows. I love their color and build and wanted one badly and have looked for one for quite a while. It didn't take long for me to make up my mind that yes she was worth it. It couldn't have been a worse week for it to happen as we had had a death in the family. I did, however, have my mind made up that I would have her. My wonderful husband and son took off one evening with trailer in tow to go pick her up.
After a round about trip due to his GPS following instead of my directions, they dealt with a very nice gentleman who purchases calves to resell. He had not had her long and she was doing well. She wouldn't drink off his nurse cow and did eat some grain he told us. She was also just over 6 weeks old.
They arrived home at 1:30am that night with her. We unloaded her into the barn and she was so frightened. She ran when we got close at all. I gave her some hay, grain and water. We quarantine new calves for 10-14 days when we get them just in case something is wrong with them. Through the last week we have put a halter on her -which she hated tremendously. She has nibbled on hay and grain, but not eaten a bunch by any means. We did find out about day 2 that she would eat grass pretty well so we give her some each day. She had loose stools, but not watery, when she came to us, which I watched closely so I would know if that worsened or if it was just due to stress and change in feed. I made calls to the feed store and the vet to get their opinions on her and if they thought she still needed to be bottle fed. Their concensus was not if she is eating enough otherwise. Usually we get bottle calves a little younger that do need bottle fed and they don't usually eat grain very well at first. They also don't usually eat grass at first either.
One week later, she is starting to tame down. We left the halter on her and she is getting more used to that. Her bm's have thickened up a bit and look like normal now. In the afternoons we walk her and let her eat grass outside which she does very well. She has been eating more hay and a little more grain. She even let my husband and I pet her in the pen last night for quite a while before she decided she didn't want that anymore. We also, well my husband, thought of a good name for her too --Snowflake. I love it! This morning I was very excited when I walked in to give her her daily ration of grain -expecting to dump the old uneaten grain and put in the new- and for the first time her grain tub was empty! She also let me pet her some while she ate some grass. I finally feel like now she will be just fine.
I am always such a nervous ninny when it comes to the calves. I am a worrier until I know they are ok and doing well. It's almost like I was with our children when they were born! I love having calves and raising them up to be great mommas. The kids love them, too, and love to show them at the county fair. Each cow we have is special to me. I am looking forward to the calves next year, already!
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