Today is an exciting day here on the farm! We've got a new addition! Our Dexter cow, Dixie, had her calf this morning. We haven't seen it move from the position it's in yet, so we're not sure if it's a heifer or bull calf. We'll know once it gets its wobbly legs under itself and starts exploring the barnyard.
Yesterday I thought Dixie might have been close to having the calf, so Alan's dad and I put her in the barnyard pasture. Getting her in the barnyard was half the battle -- keeping all the other cows and donkeys out of the barnyard was the other half of the battle! They're always so helpful, and nosy.
We hoped that she'd have the calf in the barn out of the wind, so Alan's dad tossed some hay down from the barn loft ... sure enough, she did!
Good cow, good brown cow.
I'm the only one here at the farm today, so it's up to me to check on the calf and make sure it stands and starts eating. Cross your fingers that all goes well! Pretty cute, eh?
About Dexter Cattle: Dexters are the smallest breed of cattle in the US, which makes them perfect for small farms. Cows mature to 750-800 pounds, and are typically 36-42 inches high at the shoulder. Bulls mature to 1000-1100 pounds and 38-44 inches high at the shoulder. Dexters are typically black, but can also be dun. Dixie is a dun, and her calf is black with dun highlights. Learn more here.
I learned something new today! Thanks for the link on Dexter cows. I can't remember hearing about them in my animal science classes in college. I like DIxie's Chicks name. Cute baby heifer! Congrats!
Posted by: Sara Moen | January 14, 2007 at 11:24 AM
A-dorable!! How sweet, fingers are crossed for you having a good day :)
Posted by: Lenita | January 13, 2007 at 06:38 AM
Awwww....what a cutie!!! :)
Posted by: danita (moberkitty) | January 12, 2007 at 05:47 PM
Anna, Your calf is darling. We have cattle also but we deal with the heat instead of the cold. We ended up with 4 heifers this summer and nine more cows due to calf in the spring. TFS
Posted by: Lois Michael | January 12, 2007 at 03:51 PM
Awww Anna! He is simply adorable...takes me back to my days on the farm as a kid. Let us know if he is really a he...or if maybe she is a she!
Posted by: Cindy Lou Who | January 12, 2007 at 01:06 PM
Congratulations on your be-moo-tiful baby cow(sorry , couldn't resist some cow humor there). I hope he is up and about soon, and eats like a champ...
Posted by: CKMom | January 12, 2007 at 11:45 AM
OH, what a beautiful calf!!! I want to hug her! Congratulations, does that make you a "grandma"??!! LOL How fun to see new life on the farm!!! We have 20 acres, all fenced, I might just have to check out those Dexter cattle! (I have a degree in Animal Science, and my husband has a D.V.M. and a PhD)...anyway, I love new life!!! Beautiful pictures! :)
Posted by: Diane McVey | January 12, 2007 at 11:33 AM
What a cutie! Such a sweet little face! Congrats on the newest addition!
Posted by: Viv (VivLyn) | January 12, 2007 at 11:10 AM
Such a beautiful little baby - oh, so soft - I could just kiss it's sweet nose!!! xoxoxo Congratulations to Dixie!!! Jeanne in Idaho
Posted by: Jeanne Helstrom | January 12, 2007 at 09:32 AM
What a doll! Congrats on the beautiful new addition!!
Posted by: Amy | January 12, 2007 at 09:22 AM
Oh how sweet!!! Dixie's baby came on my birthday! I wish I was there to give him a little coo chee coo..... He is soo cute, what a pretty chocolate color too, beautiful. I had no idea this breed even existed, thanks for the info. When I was growing up, we raised Herefords and as I recall (vividly) most of them were not nice. I remember running several times...
Hugs
Julie
Posted by: Julie Phillips | January 12, 2007 at 09:20 AM
Congrats on your new addition! I love that first picture -- so sweet!
Posted by: Jennifer (jkincolorado) | January 12, 2007 at 08:54 AM
AWWW!
Posted by: julie - jeweleintn SCS | January 12, 2007 at 08:28 AM
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO DIXIE'S BABY!
Posted by: kathryn S | January 12, 2007 at 07:53 AM