Just in case you are subscribed here, but do not follow me on other social media platforms, I just want to let you know that my latest book, “We Are Mocha’s Family!” has been submitted for publication and may be available for purchase as soon as the end of this month.
This book is a collection of sweet stories about the members of Mocha’s family here on the farm. There are pictures of the calves and stories that will make you chuckle! You will see first-hand why we love living here on de Good Life Farm and why we love our animals so much!
So, watch for the news that it is published! It, like my other books, will be available on amazon.com and bn.com and at penitpublications.com.
Elsie, born 3:30-4 a.m., Tuesday morning, December 17, 2019
SHE IS SAFELY HERE and her name is Elsie. She is named after the Borden milk cow that was on the carton of milk that my grandpa used to bring home from the store! I always wanted a dairy cow named Elsie!
Mocha showed signs of early labor last Friday morning, so we prepared her stall with fresh straw, hay and water and brought her to the barn. Jersey wasn’t happy to be alone in the pasture and I totally get it! We separate Herbie around 5:00 a.m., which means Jersey was by herself all day until evening milking time. So, since Friday morning, I have made umpteen trips to the barn, averaging every 2-3 hours, checking on her progress, which was fairly slow. Four nights with little sleep brought back reminders of when my boys were babies. But, with all the waiting, she still arrived the day before she was due.
My son had to be up early this morning so rather than head to the barn when I had planned, I saw him out the door and then braved the icy weather. Each time I arrived in the barn, even before I could see into Mocha’s stall, I would assess whether her calf had arrived by whether she was laying down, which almost every time she was. However, this morning, she was standing up…making that sweet, low sound. I knew in an instant that her precious calf had arrived!
Mocha being the good mama she is, cleaning and drying Elsie
She was still very wet, so my best guess is that she arrived between 3:30 and 4:00 a.m. Mocha diligently continued cleaning her up so her fur would dry. I ran back to the house to grab a towel to try to help her get dry and warm her up.
Elsie trying to stand up, but she isn’t quite strong enough.
She has tried to stand several times, but when i left the barn about 20 minutes ago, she still was too weak. Mocha stimulates her to stand up by licking her on her back. It will just take a little time for her to be strong enough. I am going to eat a quick breakfast, make my hubby’s breakfast and lunch and head back out. I am relieved that she is safely here…but now comes the watching to make sure she gets that rich, nutrient-dense colostrum so that she will get her energy and be protected against illness at her young age.
I will post more later…but just wanted to share with everyone who has been anticipating her arrival that SHE IS HERE!
can’t you just see her saying “Awww, c’mon, Mom!”
Also, I must apologize if there are grammar and spelling errors in this post. The lack of sleep is wearing heavily on me! But I just had to get the word out!
There have been lots of introductions here on the farm in the past few days. I will share some of the most fun and interesting.
MERLIN HAS NEW GIRLS TO TRAIN
The pullets first time out of the coop and into the pasture.
We have begun introducing the pullets to the older hens and to their rooster, Merlin. We just let them out for a few hours as they get used to each other. The first day, Merlin seemed to leave them alone, giving them a chance to acclimate to the pasture. However, today, he began making them his girls. Some of them weren’t very impressed or thrilled. This will be a gradual process until they are comfortable with each other. Tonight, I only had one hen who I had to help get into their coop, but that is because the door had shut and Odin was showing his “puppyhood” rather than being helpful! Not bad for the second day out! And, it’s just my opinion…but I think Merlin is a bit overwhelmed with the work he has ahead of him teaching and training his new girls to be productive members of the farm.
Merlin and some of the older hens watching one of the new hens.
BIG SIS/LITTLE BROTHER BOND
The big sis/little brother bond was immediate.Mocha and little bro, Herbie…and the bond continues to grow.
The bond between big sis, Mocha, and little brother, Herbie, has only grown stronger in the almost five weeks he has been here. He goes to Jersey (mom) for nourishment and Jersey does her dutiful, motherly grooming. However, for companionship, Herbie prefers to be with his big sister. He bugs her to play with him, head-butting her until he convinces her that playing with him is the thing to do. When they are all three in the pasture together, he lays with Mocha, sometimes so close to her than I can’t see him and have to go in the pasture to find him!
Mama, Jersey, big sis, Mocha, and little brother, Herbie on a foggy morning
Today, when I took him to the barn for de-budding and castration, Mocha is the one who mooed constantly, not ever taking her eyes off of the barn until I returned him to her in the pasture. Jersey really didn’t seem to notice he was gone, other than the fact that Mocha’s mooing alerted her to the fact that something was amiss.
Herbie, hanging with me, exploring the pasture, while we waited for the vet.
HERBIE AND ODIN
Odin antagonizing Herbie
Odin has been eager to get better acquainted with Herbie ever since he was born and has walked back and forth to the barn each day. Today, while waiting for the vet, they had their chance to get better acquainted and I don’t think either one was very impressed. Odin, I think, was hoping Herbie would be a new playmate. When Herbie was born, Odin was bigger by a little bit…but today, it was obvious that Herbie has grown and is now bigger than Odin.
Odin kept after Herbie. Herbie would advance by one step and Odin would tuck tail and run. This little doggy/baby bull dance repeated itself multiple times. Eventually, as shown in the next picture, Odin worked up the courage to sniff and maybe even lick Herbie while he was close. Right after, the picture was taken, Herbie gave Odin a swift hind kick in the nose. I guess maybe Odin learned a little respect for Herbie?
Odin’s bravery was rewarded with a swift kick to the nose right after this picture!
LITTLE BROTHER MEETS BIG BROTHER
Herbie has a captive audience: big brother, Oreo, nieces, Truffle and Hazel, and cousin, Snickers.
While Herbie and Odin were getting acquainted, Herbie’s presence in the barnyard was discovered by the calves. Gradually, they all came over to the gate and started mooing! They wanted to get to know him! I took him over and although he was a big leery of these much-bigger-than-he family members, he gradually got closer and closer to them.
Oreo trying to get his nose through the gate to get a closer look at Herbie.
He will be joining these calves in the pasture when he is weaned at four months, but he will get some time to visit with them before then.
this is as close as they got…not a bad first meeting.
It is so much fun that everyone is related. They each have the best and yet unique personalities. We have the sweetest calves and I am thankful for each one.
I hope you are enjoying reading about our farm. If you would like to be notified of new posts, please hit the “FOLLOW” button at the top of this page.
