It did clear up long enough to get some calves moved on Sunday though. The weaning pen you see below here was full! Which brings us to the discussion of the week. What happens after weaning?
As you can see when they have to leave there solo home they move to our weaning pen which is complete with a feed bunk, water, an old grain bin for shelter, and a sand pile to play on. The grain bin hasn't been used in years and we recycled it to create our lovely little pen. If anyone ever tries to tell you farmers are wasteful they should come to our farm we are big time recyclers! A little straw and a homemade door and we were good to go. Oh and the calves love it especially because when they moo inside the bin it echoes! The sand pile or what was is purely for fun because happy calves are healthy calves! They chase and play king of the mountain and run all over it. it is terrific entertainment for them and me.
Our pen holds 20 calves maximum mostly because any more and I wouldn't be able to keep up with them!
They stay in the weaning pen about a week. They definitely have to be done mooing about their lack of milk (Ms. Boss is not a big fan of loud calves)! When the day of quiet arrives, we bring the cattle to the home farm.
Upon arrival they get checked out and made into steers...yes we castrate them. We also dehorn them and do an overall medical check. Before they get weaned, calves get vaccinations so that by weaning time its not such a difficult transition or as painful. The steers then get their own lot in the barn and start to grow all big and strong!
I tend to keep a close eye on all of my little guys as they grow up, but 12 to 18 months after their arrival at the farm they are gone and the cycle continues anew.
With that I leave you to survive until next week. I am sure it won't be a problem. My parting shot for the week is 580 atop what remains of the sand pile it was 3 feet high now its just a mound.
Calf Count: 79 (We are over capacity!)
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