Another new addition at our place

**Odilia** · 09-25-2007, 12:52 PM

I checked Penelope at 3pm yesterday and was upset to find she'd picked then to start calving. I had an obligation over 100 miles away and had to leave in 30 minutes. I would have cancelled if I could have, but this was something I could not get out of. I called a trusted neighbor and asked him to check on Penelope throughout the afternoon and evening and took off.

When we got home, we found her with a healthy little bull calf. It looked like he'd just gotten on his feet, and we watched him nurse until he filled up. I gave Penelope some molasses water, and we left them in the field.

This morning, the calf (the kids named him Slim Chance -- another Hank the Cowdog character) was in the old shed. I'd cleaned it out in early summer and left it for the sun and chickens. I need to do another quick clean up and put down a good layer of straw now.

The pictures aren't the best because of the sunlight streaming through, but you can sure see the red Simmental in the bull calf. I couldn't find even a speck of white on him.

I'm not thrilled with Penelope's condition. I'm not going to foster a 2nd calf on her. My plan is to milk her as needed to maintain a healthy udder until her calf is taking all the milk.

Our 8yr old's goat always knows when something is going on, so she came in to check out the new arrival.

**DAAC3DEC** · 09-25-2007, 01:04 PM

SOOOO CUTE, I DO LOVE COWS!!!! HE IS ADORABLE!! WISH US HUMANS LOOKED LIKE THAT AFTER GIVING BIRTH, IT MUST ME ALL BABY!!

**baxjul** · 09-25-2007, 03:20 PM

Oh how cute!!!!! I love cows!!!! I grew up next door to the big dairy farm!!!!!

**Darlene** · 09-25-2007, 03:59 PM

Aww, thanks for sharing!!

**sdrjeolsen** · 09-25-2007, 06:11 PM

Aaawww!! How cute. Congrats on the heathy new arrival.

**ilovechocolate** · 09-25-2007, 06:24 PM

I love the "mother and child" picture!!!

Someday I would like to live on a few acres with a cow for a pet, along with a few chickens and of course my cats and dogs. But I'm such a city girl.....

**ravenmaniac** · 09-25-2007, 06:55 PM

Thank you for sharing. Even though I live in a "rural" area I live in a small neighborhood with lots ranging from 1/2 acre to 3 acres. I sometimes wish we could have afforded to buy a small farmette. Then we could have had goats and chickens. Thank you for the pictures. Your calf is beautiful.