It's A Boy!

Violet tending to her new born calf. She licked him until he was clean and also to stimulate him to get up and nurse.

I came home from work on Thursday about 6:00 pm to find Violet in labor but making no progress. By 9:00 the vet had arrived and determined that the calf was backwards - that is hind feet first - which is not normal.

I'd spent the time from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm getting a halter on Violet and securing her in the barn which did not make her a happy 1800 pound animal.  After reconfiguring the barn three different ways, I finally decided to put her in the cattle chute - at least half way-  so I'd have better control of her.  The vet had suggested earlier that I feel around inside her and try to find the nose and hooves which would mean a head first birth.  I couldn't feel anything - but, oh well, we won't go in to that!

Anyway, Dr. Gano and Dr. Coe from Orchard Veterinary Care in Wilmington arrived and got right to work "pulling the calf".  This involves affixing chains to the calves hocks (ankles) and pulling the calf from the cow with a come-a-long device.  Time was important if the calf was going to be born alive.

Fortunately, the doctors were successful and an 85 pound bull calf was delivered alive. The doctors immediately hung him upside down, hooking his hind legs over a gate so they could clear his lungs. This is not needed in a head first normal birth.  Then they drug him to a relatively clean dry spot and we turned Violet loose to tend to him.

Poor Violet had such a bad time.  She managed to stay on her feet until just as he came out, then she collapsed in the chute - which was a tight fit.  I got her loose and out of the chute as soon as the calf was breathing well.

Violet's bull calf Saturday morning, born Thursday night. This is Tommy Boy's last calf before he was killed.

I call this their "show" pose.  Violet was a show heifer, and I'd love to take them to the State Fair to compete as a cow/calf pair.  Violet loves to go to shows.

Things went pretty well after that except Violet has not been able to deliver the after birth.  That will probably mean another visit from Dr. Gano, but in the meantime, I'm keeping close watch on the calf.  He seems a little congested, but he is nursing. He's also a bit wobbly and his hocks seem a little swollen, not surprising considering what he went through to be born!  He and Violet will stay in the "maternity ward" for a few more days.

If the little guy is doing well tomorrow, Sunday, I'll see what name comes to me. I've already had some suggestions. Tom Tom seems to be popular.  He will be registered and hopefully have a career as a herd bull. He certainly has the bloodlines for it.