A post from Kelli–
This weekend, my boyfriend Jason’s parents were out of state for a wake and funeral. I told Jason that if he needed any help milking or feeding calves I could help if he wanted. Because they recently started milking three times a day (5:00 am, 1:00 pm, and 8:30 pm) I knew that they may need a bit of help. One milking takes just over three hours, so Jason and his brother were going to be milking nearly around the clock.
When Jason called me on Sunday to ask that I come help the 170 cows that they have and do calf chores, I jumped at the chance. Back when I lived at home and they milked cows, Mom and I did calf chores every morning. When normal kids would get grounded from going out with friends or the computer, I got grounded from helping with calf chores or going to the barn. Helping milk and feed calves was a nice walk down memory lane.
Lots of little calves greeted me and made it known right away that they were very hungry!
There are currently 51 calves in the calf barn right now and man alive are they cute. The calves are split up by age and fed according to their age. One of the fun parts of the day was teaching some of the youngest calves to drink out of a bucket. It was really neat to see them when they “figured it out.”
Here’s one of the older calves. When I used to help with calf chores at home, I loved looking at the calves and see if I could make a pattern out of their spots or see if a spot looked like something.
I thought this little calf was pretty cute. It almost looks like it has a little heard on its head.
And finally….what I know you’ve all been looking for…A picture of me in my most wonderful farming clothes.
I told Jason Sunday night that I would really love to help more often. I actually liked helping out. I think part of it was getting out of the house and breathing fresh air. It has rained almost everyday for the past 2 or 3 weeks, so when it was sunny and dry on Sunday, it was a real treat!
If you haven’t had a chance yet, check out some of the quilts that have been sent for mom to quilt that we will be donating to the victims of the West, Texas explosion. I cannot believe how generous quilters are to give to complete strangers and to trust us to quilt and bind your beautiful quilts!
Make sure to stop back on Friday to check out our Friday Finish. I’ll give you a few hints–It’s a finish for both of us–It is related to farming–and there might be something in it for you too! Hope to see you again on Friday!
We envy you right now. We have a bucket calf that was rejected by his mother (she had twins, apparently only wanted to keep one). He will drink from the bucket now but only if my husband puts his hand on the calf’s nose-and he doesn’t have to put any pressure, but just have his hand there. I think I might know why this little guy’s mom ignored him. lol. I think he’s not very bright. Luckily hubby is very patient and hopefully little Pete will learn soon so that the kids can take over completely when dh gets started with planting, which may take a while after all this rain we’ve gotten. Loved seeing your pictures of the calves.
Oh, how I miss baby calves!
Love the babies!!! Too cute! Thanks for the smile this morning!
I am wondering why they are in a building and not running around in the field with their mothers. I’m sure there’s a good explanation for it. I know around here (in Kansas) there are a lot a new calves. Gotta love watching them frolic around.
To Julie-At a dairy the babies don’t stay with their moms for very long. They are bottle or bucket fed instead. That’s how they keep the cows producing milk.
Holstein calves are so cute, we used to milk and I miss those little buggers.
You should show us a picture of Jason some day. It’s nice to picture the two of you together. Love to put a face with the name. :)
i remember when i was little, my uncle had cows and calfs on his farm… when they were born we used to put our fingers [ all of them ] in their mouth and let them suck on it… silly i know and very messy as well but well back then we didn’t mind and enjoyed being around those young animals!