My little cow herd is doing pretty well, all things considered. They are all purebred Devons, bought in one group along with a registered Devon bull, a younger unregistered bull, three heifers, and a handful of steer calves. The bulls are gone now, sold after failing their fertility test, and the two horned yearlings went to a friend and neighbor to fill their freezer next fall.
I’ll tell the whole story of how they all came to the Farm some other time. It’s a long story and I don’t feel like putting it all together today. I have work to do outside before it rains, and Christmas cards to write and address, and receipts to file, and then afternoon rounds up on the pasture. But I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the progress we’ve made in just four months with these cows.
To begin with, here are a few shots of what they looked like back in late July and early August:
Pretty skinny, huh? [Edited to add: Actually, these photos are more than a little disturbing to me. I forgot how emaciated these cows were.] What is important to note is the lack of fat on the spine, on the hip bones, on the tail head, and in the brisket. Animals can lose muscle but when their fat reserves disappear, they are on the road to starvation. These cows were being starved – you can see the pasture they were in was nothing but chewed-down stubble and rank, unclipped weeds. Their body condition scores were very low 4’s and one of them at least, was a 3, by my estimation.
I took a great big risk on them. I had them hauled back to the farm and put them on my stockpiled pastures, and let them eat, and eat, and eat. I knew there might be health issues, and there were: pinkeye, most significantly. The little weakling male calf came down with it first during an extended rainy period in early September, then just about all the others showed symptoms within a few days and the job of treatment began. Their eyes cleared up, then one of them would get a runny eye again, and the conjunctivitis would be back. It was a tough couple of months. I joke a little about earning my “Junior Vet Badge” but believe me, it was tough, and I’d rather not repeat it.
I don’t feel we are quite out of the woods yet, either, as I will occasionally see a runny eye here and there. So I watch them like a hawk and take great care to ensure their nutritional plane remains high and steady. They all get a generous helping of kelp meal each day, and the younger crowd, isolated from the older cows, are eating supplemental clover hay as well.
I’m pleased to see them come back in to condition like they have. Those photos just say it all. Now, as we move into winter, I am focusing on maintaining that good condition, and building health.
So much better!
Thistledog's Farm 
It’s easier and less expensive to keep them healthy than get them well. Folks who mistreat other living critters need to be worked like they’re owned. I’m fierce when it comes to mistreatment.
You’ve done a good job in restoring them to health; well done!
I am soooo proud of you. I know there will still be many many Jr Vet Badges to come, but this one is particularly tricky and requires vigilence and persistence. The day you showed up was one lucky day for these girls!
Linda, ya – more ribbons for the badge to come, I’m sure. And you nailed it with the vigilance and persistence. I’ve had to exercise LOTS of both. There’s just no way to describe how much work it has been, but with any luck/good fortune/god’s blessing etc, I’m leaving all that behind me like dust in my rear-view mirror.
Thank you Sandra, I appreciate your comment. I couldn’t agree with you more. The neglect we saw there was so disturbing. I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to rescue these gals.
Sandra, I couldn’t agree with you more, on all points. Thanks for the pat on the back – it’s been hard earned, I’ll tell ya.
Kay, what a wonderful transformation – you have much to be proud of and to see those animals not only healthy but looking like they are content and doing well is so wonderful!!
Cathy, thank you! Looking at these before and after pictures I’m able to see how much of a transformation it really has been. It’s good to step back and see just how much difference I’ve made…
They look great! A virtual pat on the back and a hug from Oregon!
moh, thanks so much! And thanks for all the great information on your blog, I’ve learned a great deal and used many of your ideas. It really helps to be able to look over your shoulder like that…
Thank you for posting a web site. I have enjoyed being able to see the farm and all the changes you have made. It looks great! The farm was my mom and dad’s pride and joy.
That was an excellent post. Those before pics really grabbed my attention. I’m not sure I would have brought them home. You’re very brave. Good for you.
HFS, I think crazy describes me a little better than brave… it really was a rescue situation which I am always a sucker for, and the gamble was, some of these ladies may prove to be gemstones – this year’s American Devon Cattle Association sale boasted an average price of $5,300 for purebred, registered cows. Mine may not all be keepers, but I am hoping a few of them are, and they are definitely coming back.
Well, keep us in mind when you are ready to part with a few heifers.