The bee-hind shots are now behind me and all I have to offer you are baby pictures.
I KNOW. You must miss the bee-hind shots so much!
Saturday afternoon, I checked on Glory Bee and everything seemed completely normal, as usual. The Bad Baby loves to mess with me. I fed the goats and went back to the house. Within maybe 20-30 minutes, I could hear Coco and Chloe going insane, barking up a storm. I stepped outside, heard an odd mooing between the barks. There’s just a different sound animals make when they’re giving birth. I’ve come to know the difference when I hear a goat bleating because they wish they had more cookies and because they’re having a baby. Same with a cow. The moo is a whole different sound. Painful.
It happened so fast, by the time I got my camera, put on my boots, and got to the back barn yard, she was standing there licking on her little wet thing.
I was SO disappointed that I missed the birth!!!! Dark was coming fast, and I didn’t want to interfere with the bonding, so I left them to it without even attempting to check the baby’s sex. I was just SO relieved that it had been a fast, easy birth that didn’t require any assistance!
Next morning, of course, baby was on its feet and nursing! I have caught Glory Bee kicking a few times while nursing. It will take time for her to accept this nursing thing, but she’s allowing it enough.
Glory Bee: “What is this thing and where did it come from?!”
She is attentive to the baby, although as I noticed BP do after Glory Bee was born, she will “stash” the baby and go off to eat hay or drink. Unfortunately, she has no common sense and she decided her “stash” spot was on the far fence line of the back barn yard. BP used to stash Glory Bee near the woods at the old farm. Cows just think, “Here’s a good place to hide the baby while I go to the bar!” Their idea of safety isn’t always accurate. I didn’t like that spot because it was next to the fence line, too easy for predators if they were determined to push under the fence and get at a wobbly newborn.
I moved all The Little People to the goat yard for now (I don’t want any goats deciding to head-butt a wobbly baby) and took Glory Bee and baby into the barn so she could stash the baby in a stall. Much safer!
I’ve milked her a few times, just by hand so far, and she about kicked me to death! Fabulous. This is going to be so much fun! I get to train a kicker! Oddly, I’m looking forward to it. Today, milking will ramp up as the baby can’t keep up with the output at all, and I will try the machine on Glory Bee for the first time.
And now, what IS the baby???!!!!
Sarah came over to help me decipher the mysterious doings under all that baby fluff. She’s had a couple calves recently at her farm, so I know she knows what she’s doing and I always like to have confirmation when I’m sexing a baby. I’ve gotten much better at it, but I’m still a little leery of totally trusting my own judgment. Though, it was pretty darn obvious once we got down there….. (I have LEARNED that you don’t look for the boy part…. That can fool ya. You look for the girl part.)
It’s a GIRL. A half-Limousin (beef bull), half Jersey-Brown Swiss baby heifer, and to me, she looks like she takes after daddy. She will likely not be suitable for sale as a milker. Nobody wants a half-Limousin milk cow when the world is full of Jerseys, and I personally do not need another cow and can’t afford to keep another cow long-term. I thought about her name all day yesterday.
I told Morgan my two final choices.
Beef Burgundy or Apple Dumpling. Beef Burgundy, of course, is a practical, good, solid, you-will-taste-so-good-in-my-crock-pot name. Apple Dumpling is a horrendously, dangerously cute name…….. I really really wanted to name her Beef Burgundy.
But my little neighbor teenage girl who mows my yard is named Burgundy. I said, “Do you think Burgundy will be offended if I name the calf Beef Burgundy?”
Morgan: “Yes.”
Me: “Then I have to name her Apple Dumpling. I’m set on one of those two names.”
Morgan: “If you name her that, SHE’LL NEVER LEAVE!!!!!!”
I’m not so sure of that. However.
Meet Apple Dumpling.
cindyinohio says:
Congrats on a healthy baby. She is so cute!
On December 17, 2012 at 10:45 am
Justquilting says:
Awww…she is quite a dumpling for certain! Welcome AP!
On December 17, 2012 at 10:52 am
BuckeyeGirl says:
I agree, she’s got a beefy neck and head for sure. She sure looks healthy and like Mama G-B is doing a fine job.
On December 17, 2012 at 10:52 am
beforethedawn says:
Hard to believe that the bad baby is a momma! At the same time, I am so glad that she is being a good momma, for the most part, being her first time and all. Good luck milking her!
On December 17, 2012 at 11:00 am
bonita says:
Apple Dumpling is way too cute. Congratulations, Suzanne. And thanks for taking the great pix and video.
On December 17, 2012 at 11:05 am
Sheila Z says:
You might need to have an old time farmer come by and show you how to deal with a kicking cow. Sometimes it takes two people to get a cow to settle down. There is a technique of holding their tail that makes the cow realize that kicking is not an option. We only used that as a last resort. For most cows you can keep your body close while you milk them so they can’t get too much space to build up a good kick. You drive your head into the cows side, their belly area, just ahead of their leg and it stops them from getting much momentum in their kick. I’ve never been hurt by a cow and I milked 50 of them for years. You just have to take charge and show them you aren’t afraid of them and aren’t going to take any of their shenanigans. Like I said sometimes you need an extra person to help with a really determinded cow, but they all settle down after a few milkings. Once GB equates grain with milking you will have a happy cow.
On December 17, 2012 at 11:18 am
STracer says:
Congratulations! That is a cute baby and Apple Dumpling is a great name. I know it is very early to think about this, but you might want to consider skipping the whole how are we going to put her in the freezer/never leaving problem by trading this heifer for a steer when it is weaning time. That would solve the weaning problem too.
On December 17, 2012 at 11:21 am
jeandf says:
Oh my gosh that video is sooo sweet. Look at that babygirl!
On December 17, 2012 at 11:42 am
GrammieEarth says:
I still say that when you cover Lil Dumplin’s eyes, her nose and mouth look like an eViL face!! GB will have her hands full for a few months. BP doesn’t seem too fazed by the new baby, but I guess it is just one of hundreds she has seen in her life. Where is Lil’s halter?? How long do you keep a cow that’s heading to the freezer??
Precious / EVIL baby…welcome to CiTR! We’ve been waiting for you :cowsleep:
On December 17, 2012 at 12:31 pm
California Paintbrush says:
Soooo Cute! About kicking, my grandfather (many years ago) had a rope with wood blocks on the ends that when around both the cow’s ankles. I don’t really think it would physically stop them but they never kicked with them. You bring back memories from long ago, thanks for your sharing! :moo:
On December 17, 2012 at 1:21 pm
Flowerpower says:
I am afraid I would not make a good farmer. I could not kill any of my animals. She’s a darling little calf! :happyflower:
On December 17, 2012 at 1:37 pm
MousE says:
Congratulations! The name is perfect. :snoopy:
On December 17, 2012 at 1:44 pm
Ronni says:
Thanks for the video , what a beautiful Lil Apple Dumpling ! You said she would be a Christmas baby and what a wonderful surprise present you received ! I for one hope she sneaks her way into your heart instead of the dinner plate. Can never have enough milk or cheese they say ! Merry Christmas to you Suzanne and all the critters on the farm !
On December 17, 2012 at 2:16 pm
Rose H says:
Aww! My heart just melted a little more 😀 Apple Dumpling is the right name for this beauty, she’s gorgeous!
x
On December 17, 2012 at 2:31 pm
CATRAY44 says:
How about “Vealia” ?
On December 17, 2012 at 3:14 pm
chuckles1330 says:
Are you quite certain that BP isn’t “packing?” Could there be an aunt/half sister on the way for Apple Dumplin as well?
On December 17, 2012 at 3:32 pm
GracelandFarmsTN says:
Maybe she would be a good option for someone who wanted a cow who would might not produce gallons on gallons of milk…..or someone looking for a cow that can be used to produce good meat stock. If someone kept a cow like her, they could breed to a jersey type to produce good milker offspring or breed to an angus/limo type to produce good meat offspring. Might be a good option for a small farm who could use a different type of calf yearly.
Either way, get a halter on her quick!
On December 17, 2012 at 3:34 pm
oneoldgoat says:
:cowsleep: Awwwww!!! What a nice Christmas gift for you and for BP! My BP will surprise you and actually be a happy milker!
Beth
On December 17, 2012 at 3:49 pm
farmershae says:
What a cutie! I could just poke her with a stick!! :heart:
On December 17, 2012 at 4:34 pm
bbkrehmeyer says:
Glory has already got that” don’t mess w/ my baby” look in her eye. You can tell by the way she is standing.full on eye contact and head held high. shes a momma allright.
I thought it was awesome that she was asking BP to come over and look. However she will probably get pretty protective of all the farm animals.
w/ the breed mix of mostly milker’s couldnt she still be used and produce milk? We had some dairy/ beef crosses and got enough milk. not as much as Jersey/Gurnsey or Holstein but enough for the bummers.(calves rejected by their mommies)
Maybe grams wont be around much longer and shes dry now isnt she?
On December 17, 2012 at 5:20 pm
Auntie Linda says:
Beautiful baby…and GB looks like she’s gonna be a great momma! Congratulations!
On December 17, 2012 at 6:10 pm
rurification says:
SOO cute! Thanks for the pix.
On December 17, 2012 at 6:16 pm
pugwaggin says:
I am glad Glory Bee had a safe delivery. Apple Dumpling is so adorable. I know they are in good hands. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
On December 17, 2012 at 7:47 pm
spatdi says:
Congratulations to GB and AD, and BP, And you too Suzanne!
Just wanted to say I’m a newbie to your blog, and I spend wayyyyyy too much time reading your past blog entries and laughing!!!
I have backyard chickens and wish it could be more!
On December 17, 2012 at 8:37 pm
bbkrehmeyer says:
there are actually hobbles that you can use on a kicker. just a couple of “ankle braces” w/ a chain attached. they cant lift the foot bc its ” attached” to the othet one.
she is a cutie and the name reminded me of your Georgia and you all making apple dumplings w/o a recipe.
Merry Christmas to you, all your family, and Gods creatures on the Sasafrass(dont know how to spell it)farm…….
On December 17, 2012 at 9:07 pm
Dennis says:
A half milk and beef makes great cows.When bred to beef bulls they have good beef calves with a mommy that can give them a lot of milk.Why don’t you keep her, you have lots of grass and a big enough place for a bunch of cows. Be thankful it all went fast,first time cows can be no fun and it’s good to keep them together in the barn for awhile.
On December 17, 2012 at 10:21 pm
cabynfevr says:
No, no!! If that adorable little Dumplin’ is headed for the stew pot I don’t want to get attatched! 😥
On December 17, 2012 at 11:15 pm
California Paintbrush says:
I love that picture of Glory Bee with the little one nursing. I never realized how much hair is on a cows ears…..winter hair, I guess. Anyhow it looks like a halo!
On December 18, 2012 at 11:37 am
KellyWalkerStudios says:
Congratulations on the new addition. Just caught up with what was happening. Wonderful!
On December 18, 2012 at 4:31 pm
holstein woman says:
Congratulations one and all. Sounds like you have lots of help deciding what to do with the calf. I’m staying out of this one. Enjoy your milk and the calf HAPPY HOLIDAYS! :reindeer: :snowman:
On December 18, 2012 at 10:42 pm
Glenda says:
She is a fine calf! That mix should make a dynamite beef cow with lots of milk for her calves…..maybe you should consider a small beef herd. Prices are really good now. Input is minimal, just grass, hay, salt and minerals. We don’t castrate,ear tag or vaccinate (closed herd) wean and 7 months and sell. Not a lot of work involved and you have enough land. Something to think about???
On December 19, 2012 at 7:48 am
twiggityNDgoats says:
Oh I agree with Glenda! What a fabulous start to a small beef herd.
On December 19, 2012 at 9:30 am
Happy Fibers says:
I Love your Life and I Love your cows!
On December 23, 2012 at 12:38 pm