Dixie, Princess and Queenie were bred late in the year last year, so instead of having spring babies, they're getting ready to calve soon. We noticed some "ooze" on Dixie today, which surprised us since we were kind of expecting Princess to be the first to deliver. Even with the "ooze", we're not placing bets on Dixie calving first. Dixie has shown "ooze" for at least a couple of weeks prior to delivery in the past, and there's no telling if this year will be the same. They're all looking a little plump and uncomfortable, that's for sure.
This is Dixie... she doesn't seem to be as big (wide) as she was last year, so maybe she's got more time than she's letting on. Of course, all of the girls were really lopsided today from laying in the barn out of the sun, so this might be her "small" side. Her udder isn't as ENORMOUS as it was last year either (which is a good thing...)
This is Princess... she's showing a bit of "ooze" too. Just not as much as Dixie. Who knows, maybe she will be first to deliver! We are CROSSING all of our fingers and toes that this year Princess FINALLY delivers a GIRL! This will be her third calf, and the first two were both bull calves. Come on, Princess!! Alan keeps telling her he's going to tie pink bows on her belly... can you imagine!
And in case you didn't recognize her, this is also Princess. I've done a little photo editing for our younger audience. *grin* She really is quite rotund!
And this is Queenie. We suspect she'll be last to deliver. But they're on their own schedule, not ours, and they'll deliver when they're good and ready.
We have had some issues with coyotes recently (they got a number of our barnyard chickens one night last week **CRY**), so we decided to move the three expecting cows into the barnyard together rather than one at a time while they deliver. There's safety in numbers, and the three of them should keep the coyotes at a distance. At least we hope. There shouldn't be any more free dinners for the coyotes. **bleep bleep bleepin' coyotes**
Anyway, I'll keep you posted on the events. Calving is always a bit stressful for us, but it is so fun to have the babies on the farm!
The neighbor's longhorns came over to investigate the situation and say hi to the ladies in the barnyard. They exchanged greetings "mooo", "moooo", "MooOOooOOOO", and then they went about their business of eating grass. I do believe it was still 100 degrees when I took these photos. Set, sun, set!
Note: If you're new to reading my blog, you might not know that we raise Irish Dexter cattle. They're a small breed, raised for both milk and meat production. There's a "Dexter Cattle" link to more posts about our herd in the Categories list on the right side of the page. You might be surprised at what you'll find in my other posts about the herd. Enjoy!
Okay-how many times can you say "ooze" in a single post? I think I counted 4, but I know you can do better than that! Yuck-but yea for babies on the way!
Posted by: Danielle | July 16, 2009 at 12:14 PM
Holy Cow(s)!!!! can't wait till the little ones get here...also..Princess is HUGE..wozer...she's big,,maybe there are 2 calves??? your pictures as always Anna are wonderful...keep us posted..
Posted by: Kellie | July 15, 2009 at 10:09 AM
Anna,
thanks so much for your funny stories. I just love to read them, thanks for putting a smile on my face again this morning;-)))
Hopefully the babies will all be healthy, cant wait to see your pictures from them!
Big hugs from over the ocean,
Inge xOx
Posted by: Inge | July 15, 2009 at 12:28 AM
Geez o pete!! Portly is a word that comes to mind!! :) Chubby is another! Wow, come on cows, lets have some babies!! :) Can't wait to see you baby pics!!
Jenni King
Posted by: Jenni King | July 14, 2009 at 09:16 PM
Hey Miss Anna .... you are so fortunate to have these amazing creatures be part of your daily life ~~ I'm ohh soo jealous :)
I just had to let you know, when I saw the photo of Princess, I let out a laugh, as I swear I thought she was a Hippo at quick glance =) [look at her back & bum, before focussing on her head ROFL]
Good luck on the impending births ~ when are we ever going to get the full-on XRated versions of these bum pics?!@ How in the world do you think I'm ever going to learn what to "look" for if I ever have a cow in my backyard?
Posted by: Robb_eeie | July 14, 2009 at 07:36 PM
Honestly, I don't know which I enjoy most...your cards or your barnyard posts! I've never been more interested in cattle, chickens, roosters, and goats until reading your blog! Of course the beautiful photography surely has something to do with my interest! Great post! Can't wait to see the babies, and keep the coyotes away from those cute chicks!
Posted by: Lisa Kind | July 14, 2009 at 08:00 AM
Oh man, the waiting (weighting?) game begins! They're all looking round and uncomfortable. I'll bet their feet get tired and swollen after a long day of standing and munching grass. Maybe they need belly slings. :)
Posted by: Shellie Daniel | July 13, 2009 at 10:09 PM
Bless their big pregnant bellies!!!
I hope all goes well with their deliveries. It will be so exciting to have new bovine babies!!! :D
Hope you are staying cool...take care! I know how awful that heat is :(
Posted by: diane mcvey | July 13, 2009 at 09:44 PM
As always, I look forward to seeing pix of the new babies. I can't believe it about the coyotes. Bleepin coyotes is right! We even have them near our home because we live above a canyon. I hate it when I wake up at night and hear them screaming over an animal... probably someone's pet. Boo hoo!
I could google this of course, but how long is the gestation for a cow? And do you do artificial insemination or the real thing?
Posted by: Lisa Hjulberg | July 13, 2009 at 09:21 PM
Can't wait to see the new arrivals - the girls must be miserable with all that massive weight.
Posted by: Erika M | July 13, 2009 at 05:01 PM
Poor Princess and Queenie look sooo big! I bet they're uncomfortable in your heat! Here's hoping they all have little girls real soon!!
Posted by: Viv (VivLyn) | July 13, 2009 at 04:28 PM
Anna, you are such a hoot with your 'Censored' editing! LOL What a sweetheart you are!
I love your perspective on your many critters .. every time I read, I always smile.
~Bev
Posted by: Bev Gerard | July 13, 2009 at 03:27 PM
So sorry to hear about the chickens. Those are some round ladies! I'll be waiting for new baby photos! Hope they all have a smooth time of it.
Posted by: Beth M | July 13, 2009 at 01:41 PM
Oh my I feel for those poor cows. Hope their little ones arrive soon. So sorry to hear that you lost some chickens to the coyotes.
Posted by: Ida | July 13, 2009 at 11:56 AM
Love your pics of life on the farm. Send those coyotes our way....have a HUGE amount of rabbits/ground squirrels that need thinning here (not sure where our resident coyotes have been....haven't "heard" from them lately...maybe there are too many dogs sleeping outside in the cooler night air than usual)
Posted by: Starla(star) | July 13, 2009 at 07:33 AM
Holy Cow! Is that anything like three blind mice? Man those cows really are quite rotund. Hey! I resemble that remark!Love the censoring (and I thank you because you know my little girl reads your blog). Hee-Hee.
Posted by: Gabriela (Gabi With An Eye) | July 13, 2009 at 07:05 AM
Thanks for posting the Momma's to Be photos. Poor things pregnant in this heat! I remember all too well and that was 25 & 28 years ago! I am looking forward to seeing the babies as they arrive and willbe rooting for GIRLS. LOL. Hapy Monday...HUGS
Posted by: Carol Dee | July 13, 2009 at 06:45 AM
Ooooh, more babies!! How wonderful! Lol, I love your censored sign - too funny.
Posted by: Cindy H. | July 13, 2009 at 06:39 AM