On Tuesday, Althea had a healthy heifer calf! Around dinner time she was starting labor, and had dropped the calf by the time I came back from eating dinner. The calf (christened Bachelorette Buttons) was up on her feet within an hour and nursing happily.
I’ve decided to keep the cow and calf together for the time being. 99.5% of dairy farms separate them shortly after birth, mostly because of the logistical difficulties. Its been demonstrated that calves which spend the first several weeks of life with their mother end up being more productive cows in their adulthood. We all need role models, right?
So far Althea has been a great mother. She is a little more high-strung than usual, fretting over the calf, but she is slowly adjusting to the milking routine. And I don’t mind sharing the milk with the calf!
Althea and the new calf, 30 minutes after birth.
excellent philosophy, excellent farmer, excellent cow!