Another winter storm is heading into us by 8 O’clock tonight. The cows spent all day eating yesterday, until sometime after mid-night, stocking up on food encase the weather is too nasty to get out an graze.
Also, the coyotes were extremely busy…I could hear them in every direction. I would much prefer NOT hearing the coyotes. One reason they are so energetic is this is calving season…nothing tastes as good as a tiny, new born calf. And we are surround with calving cows in every direction.
The rancher has brought up seventy spring’n heifers to calve out on our place. Every day the dogs and I (if we walk-the cat) go out and check to see how many are ‘with calf’.
So far there are 11 new babies- with one set of twins.
By the end of the month, there should be seventy new Momma’s.
I keep thinking we might get cows again, but always the answer is no. So for a short time of the year I get to enjoy these girls. They are really rather tame for range cows, allowing us to move through the herd (on the four-wheelers), not running away. If I am walking, they allow the dogs and I to skirt the edges as long as the dogs are right with me.
Linda
Life on a Colorado Farm 
oh, that poor, big momma-to-be! yikes! i hate to hear the coyotes run through, too. i know our neighbors have lost a calf or two to them.
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Oh, those Ladies are READY. Gives me flash-backs of being nine months and WAITING. Still it must be fun to be a part of all that new life.
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Hi Linda, How fun to have the calves there with their mommas for a season and not to have to be totally responsible for them. I would worry about the coyotes too-probably check on the babies every morning. We are supposed to get some snow on Thursday-know we need it but I am ready for spring.
Hugs, Noreen
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I’ve never seen a pregnant cow. Looks like there is a whole litter in there.
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I hadn’t thought about coyotes feasting on new-born calves. I hope they don’t get too many. I also hope that the coming snow storm isn’t too bad.
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It’s a wonder the front lady can keep her balance as she is so wide! Yes, range cattle can be a little spooky . It they are handled several times a year and checked as you check them they calm down.
Hope your storm is not too severe.
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I hope the coyotes stay far away and that all the mommas and babies find enough to eat under all that snow.
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So interesting about the cows, Linda!!!! I do have a couple of questions:
-Since there are no barns, where to the cows go during snow storms?
-How do the cows keep the coyotes away from their babies?
Hope you have had a good week. We had an awesome week in Arkansas.
Hugs,
Betsy
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This way you get to enjoy the best part of cows (the babies) and not all the other crap and responsibility. The best of both worlds! 🙂
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That poor almost mama in the front is the biggest thing I have ever seen. I was talking to friends who have cows here and they had one to drop 3 babies. Two did not survive and they were bottle feeding the other one. I hope you will let us know how many that poor cow is carrying!!
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I was thinking that front cow in the second picture looks huge, too!
We’ve heard coyotes around here, but only the neighbor across the street has cows. Haven’t heard of any losses there yet.
Hope you get needed moisture. :o)
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I love to see those beautiful young mommas in your fields. They sure are a funny shape though, aren’t they? I hope they have easy births and no stinkin’ coyotes.
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Amazing picture of a pregnant mum! How do the cows guard their babies? And yes, I wondered about shelter for them in the storms…Hope your storm brings more rain..
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Sorry to hear about both the storm and the coyotes,. Winter sure is wearing out its welcome!
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Sheesh! That mama looks like she’s got at least twins in there. How do you keep the coyotes away?
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Just love those charolais…my uncle raises them in Arkansas.
Hope the storm brought you some much-needed moisture!
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