Hazel Has Her Calf
Hazel from the Maternity Ward had her calf on Tuesday evening. You might remember Hazel was the one who,
“is worried about stretch marks and the upcoming swimsuit season”
Before I got home from work, Harland saw her lifting her tail and holding it there. Heifers only lift their tails to go to the bathroom, or when they are in labor. So Harland put her in a pen in the barn, and then he had to leave to attend a firefighter night class. I checked on her throughout the evening and texted Harland what was going on:
7:50pm – Two feet just barely sticking out. (This is always a welcome sight. HERE’S what happens when only one foot presents itself)
8:41pm – Calf on the ground. Mama up talking to it (Yeah!) but not cleaning (Boo!). Calf sitting up breathing ok. (Mother needs to lick the calf to get it cleaned up and dry. Not a big deal if it is a warm evening like it was this night, but if it’s cold, the calf could freeze to death if not properly cleaned off by the mother.)
8:55pm – Mama figured it out. Cleaning calf off..doing great job. (Yeah!!) Possum eating catfood…crunch crunch…will check back on calf in a while.
We feed the barn cats in the morning, and hope they clean up their food by nightfall when the possums and racoons are out. We don’t want to feed all the wildlife in the neighborhood, but apparantly there was some leftover catfood this night because as I stood there watching Hazel and her newborn calf I heard a crunching sound behind me. I turned to look, and there, not 20 feet from me was a possum chowing down. Sometimes our life is a 3-ring circus.
“We have a great show for you tonight folks! Over here we have a heifer delivering her calf, and if you look over here we have a possum eating catfood. Make sure to get your souvenirs before you leave!”
Anyway, here’s the calf shortly after it was born:
And here it is 24 hours later:
Look how clean and fluffy it is. Hazel did a great job.
After letting me get close-up pictures, the calf got to its feet and stretched,
came over to me for a closer look,
and then ran away to Hazel for supper.
Hazel: If I keep licking my stretch marks, will they go away?
Me: Not likely dear. You just gave birth to a 70 pound baby.
Hazel: Oh noooo…….. I’m never going to the beach again.
Me: We’re in Kansas, there’s no beach here.
Hazel: Oh! Well, that’s ok then.
~~~~~~~~~~
So that’s 4 heifers down, and 6 more to go. Stay Tuned!
Have a great day all!
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxo
Ha ha ha ha!!! You almost made me choke and water come out of my nose when I started laughing over your 3 ring circus and get your souvenirs here!! I love your adventures, you make me smile! Thank you and happy Friday!
Yikes, sorry…don’t drown there. 🙂
Happy Friday to you as well Tina!
Jim always comments that it’s a sign of a healthy calf when she stretches like that. I never tire of seeing those newborn babies acting so grown up!
Me either. I love to see the calves every year.
Hooray for Hazel!
Every calf is cuter than the one before! What a fun time on the farm. Suzanne, I have to ask, in a million years, did you ever imagine this would be your life? You seem to have adapted and embraced farm life in little ole Kansas as if it were your calling all along! I’m proud of you, girl! Not everyone could make the adjustment like you have. It’s amazing where life leads us sometimes. 🙂
I grew up in the country, but we didn’t have a farm. I was always jealous of those kids who did. I never imagined I would live the life I do now, but am very happy. We have a wonderful life, hard sometimes, and a lot of work, but a wonderful life.
Another cutie pie.
Hey Suzanne, Louise gave me the idea to ask,
what were you doing before you were a farm girl?
How long have you lived on the farm?
I think Harland found himself a great gal.
mm, vancouver,wa.
Thank you Mary! Before I was a farm girl, I was working as an administrative assistant at University Hospital in Columbia Missouri. My office had no windows. I fought traffic every day. I was living on 10 acres of my own, but didn’t farm or have any animals. Harland and I met via online dating in Jan 07, and we married in July 08. It was an adjustment to move to Kansas and live on a farm, but I love my life, and can’t imagine doing anything else.
#1 that little calf is so adorable and fluffy I would so love to give it a loving hug!
#2 I cracked up out loud at your “3 ring circus” commentary…that was funny! I just love your sense of humor!
#3 how wonderful for you and Harland, there is always something going on at your house/barn/farm! love it!
You’d get away with the hug in the first 24 hours, if the heifer didn’t mow you down, but after that the calf gets wise, and runs away at our approach.
Have a great day Bonnie, and hope you’re feeling better.
What a cutie, 🙂 Love how she is sticking her tongue out in the last pic, lol…wonder if she was trying to clean the calf again?
Tara
Hazel was trying to clean herself. They have limited mobility being so big as they are, but they try to clean themselves by licking wherever they can reach.
Beautiful calf.
I love to read your blog plus look at all of the excellent photography that accompanies your blog. You and Harland are such a beautiful couple.
How sweet! Thank you Maggie!