Checking the calving cows tonight, didn't get a chance to this morning being so busy at the moment and we are coming to the tail end of calving anyway. I noticed a cow stood off to the side of the field away from the rest of the herd, and made a mental note to check her as one of the last in case she had calved. As I made my way around the other cows and got closer, I recognised her as a heifer who had calved for the first time in Jan/Feb and had had a bull calf, who was stood with her. Then the next thing was a small dun coloured calf appeared out of the rushes next to her and proceeded to follow her around the field. They both showed all of the signs of belonging to each other, but having obviously been born this morning, it was hard to tell if the heifer had freshly calved or not. There were no other cows in the field showing signs of being freshly calved or taking possession of the calf.
So what are the chances of a heifer that calved in Jan/Feb and last run with the bull in November last year, having another calf now? I know unusual things have happened to others in the past, like having a second calf a month after the first, or having 2 calves, one full term and the other obviously premature.
I'm not ruling out that I may have simply missed a cow that had calved as there are quite a few in one group, but they seemed quite a tight family unit.
Thoughts anyone?
So what are the chances of a heifer that calved in Jan/Feb and last run with the bull in November last year, having another calf now? I know unusual things have happened to others in the past, like having a second calf a month after the first, or having 2 calves, one full term and the other obviously premature.
I'm not ruling out that I may have simply missed a cow that had calved as there are quite a few in one group, but they seemed quite a tight family unit.
Thoughts anyone?