Today we had an adventure.  Getting cows you don’t really know into a chute to check for a pregnancy. 

Blue and Sweetie Pie were supposed to be pregnant and Emma had  been exposed to a bull.

The day started off pretty good.  Tegen was already in the barn so I moved her out into the main yard. I was using her as bait!  “See your friend,  go to her, through this metal thing” Hahaha

We had to first get them all inside the barn so we could move them towards the chute.  Easier said than done.  Sweetie Pie wanted zero part of what we were doing.  Broke a fence down in protest.  Finally, we got everyone situated.  I say “we” because I made my husband get up early before heading to work to help.

My farm vet, Jason, backed the chute up and we were off to the races.  (Jason is incredible!  There isn’t anything too big or too small and he genuinely cares about all aspects of my farm.) He brought an assistant this time.  He did so good helping with the unruly cows.

Apple treats are like crack to my cows.  They will usually do anything to get one. Sweetie Pie was first in the chute. Follow the treat! After breaking my pen I was worried this would be a challenge. She went right into that chute!  Moved her horns around to make it work.  Pregnant!  About 80 days. My oldest and I got to see the ultrasound. What fun!

Next up, Emma.  She needed a little coaxing and a push to get inside the giant metal contraption.  After that she was fine.  It took more effort than I thought it would for her but once she got to the point that she couldn’t turn around we were good.  Not pregnant.  I am okay with that outcome.  I have been wanting to artificially inseminate her since we got her.  

Last up, Blue.  Very laid back but a bit skittish.  This cow gave us a run for our money!!!  She went crazy and started tearing up the barn.  No pen was safe.  She eventually jumped to the other side of the barn where all my other animals were hanging out.  So we had to scramble to get all of them out before she hurt them.  After a lot of shenanigans we finally got the giant metal gates and she was trapped against a wall.  Jason jumped in there stuck his hand in quick and got pushed against the wall.  She was so naughty! What a behemoth! Pregnant a little more than 3 months!  New Year’s calf!

Here is my take on what happened.  Crazy, but alright cow, ok cow, what were we thinking now I have all this extra work cow! I am exhausted and that just sucked.

My vets take on the ordeal.  They all did pretty good. That wasn’t too bad.  See why he is the perfect vet for my farm!

The barn needs to be fixed.  Now that we will be having even more cattle we will be building a proper cattle area in the barn! 

I have one picture of the whole process because after Sweetie Pie it was all hands on deck! My oldest was in charge of the crack apple treats. My youngest was making sure our goat wasn’t delivering in the middle of all the chaos!

Really excited for calves this winter!  Praying for full blood highland heifers to breed to my bull.  Regardless, they will be super cute.