Valentino Update

Valentino has made a nice adjustment to his life here.  He hangs with the girls when it suits him.  Since he apparently feels little responsibility to do anything except what he wants to do, he is often  by himself.

His favorite hang out spot is in the trees down from the house.  It is halfway between where the girls are spending their time and where the babies are being weened.  This location also allows him to stay cool while he also watches for any activity in a nearby adjoining pasture.  As the potential "mates" cycle, he is ever ready to "perform."

He is often walking along the fence lines hoping for a break in the wires....

New Jenny Craig Members

Yes, we have three cows who've joined the program-unwillingly.  Big Mama, Vivian, and Raquel have all been signed up. They give new meaning to the phrase "fat as a cow."  Until we can get them into their own separate area, everyone is participating. 

Before Pictures: (after "glamour" shots to be included in the future)

 Big Mama

 Vivian

Raquel

The good news is they can eat as much grass as they want!  

Courting

Valentino is better off than most males; he has a harem of ten cows and no competition.  That's all well and good until he sees something/someone on the other side of the fence (the grass is always greener...).  The babies we are weaning are starting to "cycle."  Valentino is totally focused on an opportunity, however remote.  This morning he spent hours calling to the babies and trotting up and down the fence line.  At least for the moment, the babies are oblivious to his attention...

Summer

It's terribly hot these days, but typical of summer.  Talked to a neighbor this morning and he said the snakes were on the move looking for cool places to hide.  He killed a rattlesnake that was between 2 and 3 feet long. 
Calves are slowly growing more independent, tho at least one mama is still calling her baby to nurse through the fence. 
We're fixing to have a few bits of fencing built:  around the bales and an area to help with sorting activities. 
The birds have fledged their first round of babies and it looks like another round of babies for a couple of species.
When the mama hummers brought in their babies to the feeders a couple of weeks ago, it was like watching Peanuts' Woodstock with the landings they were making.  Very entertaining!!!
The fallow deer has moved into the pasture it seems.  Know she's lonely but is spending her time hanging out with the cows.  She has plenty of grass and water so I think she'll be okay for now.

 

Separation

It's weaning time again.  #1, #2, and #3 have been separated from their mamas.  On the one hand the mamas are happy; but when their teats start to hurt from the milk that is not being consumed,  it's a different story.  The babies like the lazy convenience of food "on demand." 

The goal is for the babies to learn to take care of themselves.  It's a process all benefit from...

Morning Buffet

Every morning we "cube" everyone.  We set up the buffet tables and the chaos of feeding ensues.  All love having the goodies and it gives us an opportunity to see how everyone is doing. 

then everyone mills around the water trough chatting.  It a good way to begin the day.

Stock Shed

The building of our stock shed:

We are now ready for weening and any extreme weather situations.  Hopefully the "Tax Man" won't see this...