What do you weigh?

Good record keeping with livestock includes the weight of the new born - just like in humans. We put them on the scale and check out their weight.  Weighing at various times in their life will tell us how well they are growing and if their mama is feeding them well.

Mom

Nice Tattoo!

Yup - all our calve are tattooed.  In one ear it is our farm id - 4 letters - which is registered with the National Red Angus Association and the other tattoo is the animals number.  We also put a tag in - for general use.  The tattoos are the official identification. We use green tattoo ink - because it will show up well in the ear.

Isaac

New calves are here!

The newest calf needed a little help warming up in this really cold weather.  My brother Andrew put the calf in this blue box that has a false floor - underneath the grate there is a heater that blows warm air to warm and dry the calf.  Her mama is on the other side of the fence and was watching the whole time.  It is important to get colostrum (mothers first milk) in them right away and then dry.  The mom did lick her to clean her and start the drying, but with it this cold the mama need a bit of help.  We want to save the ears and nose from frostbite.  The barn is also a lot warmer than outside.  We keep them in for a few days to get a good start.

Hannah