TT w/Linky: Green Grass Virgins

We've had an early spring here in California.  A non-existent winter when it comes right down to it, actually.  With our scattered rain showers and tons of sun, we have some very rich, long green grass early in the season.

Since rain is not scheduled to be in the forecast any time soon, we're able to let our little lawnmowers out earlier than planned.

The calves in this group are about five months old and today is their first time out on live grass......not the straw that they're use to.  Oh, and it was their first trailer ride as well.

Pin It

Sweetheart the Dairy Calf

If Paige has any say in the matter, we'll have all of the calves at the calf barn named to her liking in no time.  All of them DO have names but Dominic is the one who normally names them for their paper work........although, I don't think he comes up with names such as 'Sweetheart'.

It wasn't long before we had Sweetheart out of her pen to play with.

Pin It

Calves and Ranch Life

Just yesterday, Dominic tells me part of a Bay tree had fallen in the calf pasture on the ranch property behind Stafford Lake and it needed to be cleared away. 

After picking up some hay for Joey from town, Paige and I drove out to meet Dominic.

One would think after eight years of living on this ranch, I would know my way around the place.  But the bridge that I normally drive over to get across the creek, was washed out....gone.

"Mommy are you lost?"

Pin It

Brittney the calf and the Ferorious Beast

The area in front of our house this time of year contains 15 or so calves....well, right now there are eight because the other seven jumped the fence into the heifer pasture, but that's a whole other story. 

It's fun to have Brittney near our house {she's on the right with the mostly white face}.  These girls have a pasture full of belly high green grass, but they still smash the fence down  to get to the grass on the other side. 

Just like a girl to keep all options open at all times, right?! {or maybe just never satisfied}

Well, my little ferocious beast, Chloe will keep them in line.

This little fluff ball of a dog, loves to have a herd she can call her own so near the house to keep in line.

She has stepped up to the plate and taken on the responsibility that any good 'cow dog' would.

We're going to the Dairy Princess Ball tonight, what are you up to this weekend?

I love to hear from you! Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to leave a comment, you can click on the “Post a Comment” link below to do so. Have a peaceful day.



Tweet

Pin It

Meet Barina ~ what happens at the calf barn with kids

Lately, almost every one of our trips to the calf barn involve either, halter training Emma or Brittney OR adding yet another new calf to our string of  'pets'. 

Meet Barina.

Paige laid her eyes on this little calf and there was no turning back.  The two of them immediately bonded.

Paige decided that 'Barina' would make the perfect name for her new little pet. 

I had to plead with my 4 year old to leave the calf barn after an hour.  She didn't want to leave her new little friend.  I think she would have napped right next to Barina if I'd let her. 

The funny thing is, Paige doesn't nap any longer but she would have if I'd told her she could take a nap with Barina.  She would have done anything to stay longer.

I can't say that I blame her, the calves are my favorite too:)

Tweet

Pin It

A Kid and a Calf

There is almost nothing I enjoy more than watching my kids interact with animals.  Especially farm animals.   With dairy calves, just the kindness of them with a child is so pleasurable to watch.

A baby with a baby. 

Remember Brittney?  Well on our 'Secret Tunnel ranch walk' the other day, Paige insisted that we visit her at the calf barn.  It wasn't necessary to insist at all because I'm always up for a visit to the calf barn.

We love Brittney.  She's so interactive with us.  Even though Paige fed the calves a little snack of alfalfa, which is in the feeder underneath her, Brittney still took the time to give Paige some love.......and licks.

She gave me some also.

Brittney has the perfect temperament as a prospect to enter in the county fair.......if only my kids were old enough.  Hmmm, maybe I can talk my nephew, Gavin, into choosing Brittney as his heifer entry this upcoming fair season.  We'll see.

Tweet

Pin It

What Farm Kids Do For Play

Gosh, we have really lucked out with the weather we've been having here in northern California.  Spending time outside is a definite must.  Today we headed down to the calf barn to see what we could find.

The thing about kids is, they can easily find things to entertain themselves that don't involve toys.  Actually, I think they may prefer it that way.

After checking in on Emma & Brittney, I wanted to sit in the warm sun for a little bit to warm my bones.  So I found the nice stack of alfalfa near the calf barn and planted my behind down while the kids took turns riding the gate.

No toys required. 

They could have easily played this game for an hour, or maybe two.

Later, when I asked both Bryce and Paige what they were thinking about as they were going for a ride on the gate, they answered:

Bryce: "I was thinking about how much fun I was having!"

Paige: "I was thinking, I needed to trim my toenails." 

Well, with this gorgeous, sunny weather, I can't say that a thought similar to Paige's hadn't crossed my mind as well, but mine was in the form of painting toenails.

How was your Saturday?  Did you do anything fun?

Getting ready for the big games tomorrow?!

Tweet

Pin It

Halter Progress for Little Emma & Miss Brittney

Some halter training progress is happening for little Emma and Miss Brittney.  Being only two weeks old, Emma is learning to be handled by humans.  All calves are super friendly when they're small and will follow you just about anywhere if they think they may get some milk or food out of you.  When you first put a halter on any of them, all they want to do is pull back.  Just like any animal; horse, puppy, learning what is wanted from them while on a halter or leash takes practice and training. 

Now, it's not necessary for our calves, heifers and cows to be halter trained at all but I wanted to begin this halter training program with the kids so they can feel more a part of the dairy and learn to handle the calves and when they're older, the heifers and cows. 

To show a heifer or large animal at the county fair, a child must be 8 or 9 years old.  Bryce and Paige have a few more years to go before they get to that point and if they choose to go that route,  giving them some experience with the calves they've picked out themselves, will give them a sense of accomplishment and some good hands on experience.....I hope.

Along with practicing to lead on a halter, comes lots of  'hand's on' pet time.  Just today, we found Brittney LOVES to be scratched behind the ears.

Tweet Pin It

Calf Tongues

Today while the kids were in school I took a leisurely walk down to the calf barn.  Sometimes it's nice to experience all the calf and cow sounds on my own, without two loud kids at my heels.  Don't get me wrong, I love when the kids come down with me, which is most of the time. 

While the bulls tend to gravitate towards me when I'm around, I tend to gravitate towards the calf barn.  How can anyone resist these cute little things?!

This little gal came right up to me.  She's around 4 months old and very friendly.  All she wanted to do was suck my fingers so of course I allowed her to.  Their tongues feel like rough sandpaper on one's fingers. 

I remembered to follow my own tips for visiting the calf barn.....don't let them suck my ring finger. 

While all the calves are friendly, none are halter broke.  My next project is to halter train a calf so we can have one as a pet here on the dairy farm.  This is something I have never done before.  Dominic used to when he was younger and showed dairy cows in the county fairs, but hasn't done it for a long time.  Not sure which one we'll pick yet, but I'll be sure to keep you posted.

Tweet Pin It

Tips on How to Survive a Visit to the Calf Barn

It's true, when you hang out at a calf barn, anything can happen and any non-clothed body part is viewed as an open opportunity to a calf.

I wanted to take some snapshots of Paige feeding the calves on this afternoon.

 

I was concentrating on getting a good shot ........

and practicing with my camera settings and all,

when I was totally taken by surprise by this little girl..............

who completely startled me by grabbing a hold of my elbow with her mouth as I was in the process of snapping the above photos.  I just turned the camera towards the calf, without looking through the view finder and began snapping photos.

 

Give them an inch and they take a mile.  I let her suck on my elbow for a little, until she really became disturbed that nothing was coming out.  She then became more and more aggressive until I could begin to feel her teeth.....not a good feeling on the elbow funny bone.

 

So if you ever get a chance to visit dairy, or a calf barn, here are some tips you may want to remember:

Tip # 1:  Never take a shower before you visit a calf barn, because you will definitely need one afterwards.

Tip #2:  Never visit a calf barn immediately after exercising because you may be mistaken for a salt lick.

Tip # 3:  Never allow a calf to suck on your ring finger {self explanatory}.

Tip # 4:  Always carry a calf bottle with you so your other body parts aren't mistaken for udders.

Tip # 5: Never leave dangling equipment unattended {such as cameras hanging from your person}.

And on a serious note,

Tip # 6:  Never walk between a calf and her mother {unless you want to feel the excitement of being charged at by a 1,500 pound animal}.

Happy Tuesday!

Pin It

Nothing like a good hand sucking in the morning

I am SO loving that school is out for the summer.  Our mornings are so relaxed and we have time to hang out with Dominic on the ranch.

This morning Dominic was replacing the straw bedding for the calves in the calf barn so Bryce, Paige and I tagged along.

Paige LOVES the calves.  So much so, she lets them suck her fingers.....or entire hand.  The calves enjoy it also.  They'll suck on you for as long as you let them, figuring milk has got to come out at some point!

"It tickles!"

On cold mornings, this makes for a good hand warmer.

Still no milk.

The result and what every kid enjoys (except for Bryce, he didn't want anything to do with this) bubbles and gooo.  Now, go find Daddy so you can wipe your hand on his sweatshirt.

Happy Friday!  Cheers!

Pin It