What do we see across yonder barnyard?
It’s a baby!
And it’s a pretty one! Look at those white socks on all four feet, white underbelly, and white face (the white face being the Hereford stamp).
Moon Pie’s proud, and I can’t blame her! Moon Pie is a Brown Swiss/Jersey mix and this baby comes from the Hereford bull. I’ve never seen a cow this color before, this lovely gray. I don’t know where Moon Pie came up with that color, but I like it.
And it’s a girl! This is my 7th calf over the years, and all but one of them have been girls. That’s all we do here, make girls. When I look across the barnyard and see this sweet heifer, she almost looks like a lamb. Even her coat is a little bit curly. So I decided to name her Bo Peep. Her papa’s name is Bo, by the way, plus Bo Peep is the same initials as her great-grandma Beulah Petunia, so I like all the connections. Everybody’s happy about their new little friend. That’s Taco checking her out.
Well, maybe everybody except Gingersnap.
She might be a wee bit peeved that Mommy is so distracted by the new arrival.
Though, Gingersnap won’t suffer for long. She’s a year old, and she is for sale. I recently sold Pumpkin (Glory Bee’s year old heifer). Half Brown Swiss/Jersey, half Dexter, both Pumpkin and Gingersnap are being sold as milkers. Pumpkin went to a good home where they promised to spoil her and milk her, and I’m looking for Gingersnap’s home now. Glory Bee should be having her next calf sometime soon. Unfortunately, all calves can’t be kept–that would blow up the farm! Bo Peep might be a keeper, but I won’t decide until next year.
In other news from this past week, and I’ll make this a short story since it’s sad, Aranel had her babies–it was the most difficult goat birth I’ve ever had here, they had to be pulled, and both died. They were not positioned right.
That sucked, and Aranel has been grieving and crying and following me around. I’m milking her now.
Valentina should be delivering soon and I hope that goes better. In the meantime….
I’m really enjoying this one!
CATRAY44 says:
Ah well is beautiful! I think I would want to hang on to her, too! Congratulations!
On April 18, 2017 at 10:58 am
CATRAY44 says:
That was supposed to say, “She is beautiful!” So much for commenting from my phone! 🤣😬
On April 18, 2017 at 11:00 am
DeniseS says:
Little Bo Peep is so cute. You have some beautiful color combinations in all the babies born on your farm. So sad for Aranel. I have heard of Animal Mom’s that have lost their babies becoming surrogate Mom’s to babies who have lost their Mom’s. Any farms near you that goat babies need a Mom? Otherwise give Aranel a hug for me.
On April 18, 2017 at 11:21 am
Pat says:
Bo Peep is pretty little thing. Great grandma would be pleased, I think. Thanks for sharing spring on the farm, with highs and even lows. It’s always a good day when we see pictures of the farm residents. Happy spring!
On April 18, 2017 at 11:33 am
Louise says:
Such a beautiful baby. So sorry about about Aranel’s babies. Give her some extra love from us. Thank you for the update.
On April 19, 2017 at 9:47 am
beforethedawn says:
Bo Peep is beautiful, love her colors!
How sad for Aranel. I hope she feels better soon.
On April 19, 2017 at 7:31 pm
Wistful Ly says:
Having just finished your book, Chickens in the Road, it’s a wonderful fast forward to read about Beaulah Petunia being a great-grandmother. Sad about the goat twins. I think you said something in your book about livestock/deadstock. Wah. :sun:
On June 25, 2017 at 1:43 am