Shari’s Gone Country

This afternoon about 2:25, Buttercup slipped into to the world. Yes, even as we were watching from a short distance, Sweetie Pie gave out a big, long Mooo-o-o-o-o-o and presented us with the cutest little heifer.

When we got Sweetie Pie (previously named Cowgirl), we knew she was very pregnant, as in two weeks away the week before we got her home.

She joined us Sunday afternoon and we’ve given her quite a bit of space, letting her get acquainted with the sheep. Now, I didn’t really expect her to deliver today. I’d have bet on closer to the weekend.

She was a little “off feed” last night, and this morning. I was closely observing her and noticed her “pin bones” were really protruding. Later, a neighbor stopped by and we noticed “the shoestrings”, a light mucous discharge. At that point Bruno also saw a contraction.

I went on an immediate “calf watch”. Mom and I came out and she was laying against the fence towards our driveway. Soon she got up and moved into her little shelter and  pawed the ground a few times. At that point, I thought I’d better check the internet for some specific instructions.

Would you believe I got the instructions printed off, gave them to Cindy to read and headed back out in a matter of minutes. Upon arriving at our “patio under the trees” I thought maybe she’d let me get a closer look. After all, she was laying down about half-way into her shelter.

Imagine my surprise when I saw “front feet”… She was in full labor. I quickly called Bev, Cindy and Mom. My the time they got out with the camera, the head was just ready to come out.

Bev got on the phone to the previous owners while the rest of us continued to observe. We all decided to back off again, retiring to our patio. Shortly, she let out one big, long mooo-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o. That was about 2:24 and within less than five minutes I saw a head moving… The calf was on the ground!

Just like she knew what she was doing, Sweetie Pie began cleaning her up. We hadn’t added any straw as we figured  the calf would come tomorrow. Besides, we weren’t sure we could get into her pen without creating a problem.

Once we were certain she was intent on cleaning little Buttercup, we threw a fair amount of straw into her shelter. Sweetie Pie has done absolutely everything by the book… You’d have thought she wrote the book!

Within an hour, Buttercup was on her feet looking for dinner and that ever-important colostrum. My how she suckled.  You could hear her from about 15 feet away.

Already, we’ve had most of the neighbors over to see our little Buttercup. With her, we’ll now be able to raise her up, not re-breeding Sweetie Pie, who will become our dinner in about 9 months. This is exactly what was planned when we got her. She won’t make the best steaks and roasts in the world, but her burger will be outstanding.