We're in the thick of calving with several coming each day. We've been blessed with mild weather and the cows are out on the prairie having their babies. We go out and check on them morning and night and tag and vaccinate the calves right after they are born. We thought we were going to have a big snowstorm, but it tracked south and we got a little rain instead. That's fine with us!
This young heifer had twins today! When the cows were ultra-sound tested, we found she was going to have twins, so when we saw her out in the pasture walking with her tail sticking out, we knew today was the day. We watched her closely and then brought her in. First-time mamas sometimes need help and especially when there are twins on the way. The men gave her a little help birthing and out came these two -- a bull and a heifer. When twins are born in cattle -- a bull and heifer together -- the heifer is called a freemartin and is sterile. It isn't that way if both twins are male or both are female, but only when they are male and female born together. Isn't that interesting?
Spring is pushing up through the cold earth out on the prairie and in my gardens. I'm so excited! I'll be showing you soon.
Beautiful Babies! Congrats!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad the weather is mild so the maternity ward can be out in the fields. Twins! Lovely!
ReplyDeleteHow pretty those babies are and I never knew that the heifer was called a freemartin. I learned something today. I am glad you didn't get your snow storm and the cows can be out having babies on the prairie. Lovely pictures today.
ReplyDeleteThat is very interesting. Glad the birthing went well...
ReplyDeleteSpring is such a wonderful time for birth and renewal. You must feel it all the more, living close to the land.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
Thank you for the animal husbandry lesson! How do you manage the freemartins? Can they run with the herd and be treated as steers?
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