Today’s Calf Report

The Holstiens did great today. Both feedings went well. They were eager to eat, and all of them got through their bottles fairly quickly. I dropped in a bit of hay to see how they might take to it. But as I recall, I need to feed them out on the bottles till the six-week mark because their digestive systems are not made to handle hay only right now. I’d not want to feed them and them starve to death.

Speaking of hay, I am figuring on the need for 300 or so bales of hay over winter. I started collecting that today. I went to the dealer I used to buy from before our neighbor started to deliver large bales. But he took the year off, so the old guy it is. He has an honor system with a mailbox for the money to go into, and the hay out in the open (under a shelter) to pick up.

I picked up 57 bales today. I am not fit to pick up 57 bales. Holy crap! I thought I was going to die while lifting them, I thought I was going to die after I got home with them. I napped twice and rested the whole day till after that second nap. Can I have my tractor now? The hay is, of course, still on the rig out in the yard. The new fencing is not up yet, and the firewood pile that needs to be stacked only grew after I got to feeling better this evening. So, I have got a chores list waiting for me tomorrow.