Friday, January 10, 2014

First calf heifers

Feeding first calf heifers. A first calf heifer is usually a 2 year old that is getting ready to have her first calf. They are still out in their winter pasture. In a few weeks we will bring them all in to the calving lots. When they come into the lots they will need 24/7 supervision. We will slowly move their feeding time to about 10 - 11am. So hopefully they calve during the day. The theory behind this is the sugar levels in their bodies. They eat alfalfa, about 15 pounds per heifer and 2 - 3 % protein per heifer. Yea, there is a formula to figure this out. So, the theory is they eat, sugar levels go up, they chew their cud and rest the rest of the day into the night, then as daylight comes up, their sugar level goes down and they calve. At times it seems like we are watching heifers calve all night!! But, I keep a graph and they calve between 7am - 2pm.

The sunrise over the house as we wait for way ward heifers to come to the feed truck.

 
Way ward heifers.
 

 
Can you see the 2 horses? We keep 3 old horses in with our heifers so the heifers get used to horses all the time and aren't afraid of them.
 
 
Are you gonna feed us, or stand there taking pictures!?
 
 
Thanks for stopping by.
 

12 comments:

  1. Great sunrise. Those heifers are also very curious as they are taking a good look at you.

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  2. I think it would be so neat to see them calve - to see a new life come into the world!

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  3. Interesting- never knew that you could manipulate calving time.

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  4. I see the horses!!!!
    No Northern Lights only heavy dripping gray sky. M

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  5. Really scientific with all. I have seen the horses in a herd but never knew why.

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  6. Fascinating reading about ranch life. That sunset is sensational. Wow!

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  7. Cow psychology! This is very interesting and informative. Also great pictures! B

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  8. Very, very interesting. I wish I had known this when we were raising calves. I usually locked our up the month they were going to calve so I could watch them day and night. Your girls are looking really good.

    Linda
    http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com

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  9. Interesting post! That first shot is stunner.

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  10. I never knew about the corellation between sugar levels and calving...that is possibly one of the most interesting and potentially valuable pieces of information I've heard. I don't know of anyone who wants to night-calve heifers this time of year!

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  11. Our heifers should start calving at the end of this month. We were glad they weren't scheduled when it was -8 last week! Of course, this would be a good week to start with unseasonably warm weather. I guess we take it as it comes: What's the alternative? I, too, love the sunrises and sunsets. Good luck with calving!

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  12. Wow, you learn something new everyday thanks to you! I must be blind I couldn't see one horse.

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Thanks for visiting. Hope you enjoyed the ranch.