Calving On The Ranch
Have you ever noticed how things seem to happen when you are not at home? You come home to find there is a problem, or something surprising has occurred. Because we have animals, these momentous events often involve one or more of the critters.
The first set of twins on our ranch were born several years ago, on the afternoon I left for a three-day meeting in northern California. Sharon returned from her job to find the cow nursing one twin, while the other remained on the ground unable to stand.
The front legs hadn’t uncurled completely, and the little black and white heifer was unable to get up. Sharon feared the calf would perish in the cold night air if she didn’t do something. I was not able to assist, so she enlisted the help of neighbors. After spending the night in front of the heater, complete with several leg-massages, by morning the calf was able to stand and nurse on a bottle of warm milk. Spirit became our “bottle baby” and remains a resident of the ranch today, a special animal to Sharon.
Three years ago, Sharon and I waited to debark our cruise ship. My phone rang. It was Bob, who took care of the animals while we were at sea.
“You’re in for a big surprise when you get home.”
“Is that a good surprise, or a bad one?”
“Oh this is very good. You have a very healthy pair of twin calves born to the big red Santa Gertrudis cow we call Big Red.”
She’s not one of Bob’s favorites, for she tried to butt him. He attempted to move her out of the way in order to dump some hay chaff in the manger. Irritated, she turned and tried to slam Bob with her head. Mr. Boo, my big black herd sire, immediately stepped in butting Big Red in the ribs. She quickly forgot about Bob, for Boo kept butting her in the belly until she escaped into the corral. When she attempted to return to the waiting hay, the big bull stood in the doorway preventing her from re-entering the barn.
Big Red raised a single calf the following year. Almost exactly a year ago, she had another pair of twins, one red and one black. The little red heifer was the one Big Red hid away so well I couldn’t find her. I feared either a coyote or mountain lion had killed her, so put the cow and black calf in the corral for safe-keeping. When I fed hay the next morning, I heard a small calf bawl. I investigated and found the red twin, hungry and looking for Momma. The cow was locked in the barn for safety, so couldn’t get to her well-hidden calf. Fortunately, the calf came in with the rest of the herd to hay. I quickly reunited the family, much to the relief of Big Red.
Tuesday morning this week, Sharon and I had an appointment in Visalia. Bob was working on a project on the ranch while we were away. When we returned to our hilltop, Bob was nowhere to be found. In a few minutes, I heard the quad coming from the back field. He had news.
“Big Red is either getting ready to have another calf, or she may have already given birth. She has some stuff coming out.”
After an hour or so, I rode down to check on her. She has given birth to so many calves over the years I’m really not concerned about her having problems giving birth. If there was any possibility she’d already had the calf, I wanted to try to find it.
Following the first set of twins, she gave birth to a single calf. Then a year later she again had twins. If there was any possibility she had two calves this time, I need to know it.
I mounted the quad and immediately found her. She rested quietly in the pasture with the rest of the cattle. From the size of her belly it was apparent she had not given birth. What Bob saw was most probably the first mucous associated with the beginning of the birthing process.
Big Red relaxed in the grass, surrounded by her last set of twins and the Charolais cow’s calf, all three nearly a year old. These heifers seemed to be commiserating with the older cow. She rested comfortably, and seemed to be enjoying the warmth of the afternoon sun. There was no indication of labor.
Closer inspection indicated she was definitely getting ready. As long as she’s resting quietly, especially if she’s hanging around the other cattle, she’s not ready to deliver. If she goes off to be alone, she will be closer.
Most importantly to you my readers, there is very little chance I will know anything definitive before I have to submit this to the Recorder. Sometime during the night, she’ll give birth. So apparently you’re going to have to wait until next week for baby pictures.