Cows, calves, and us

There is a large group of calves that were being weaned off the mothers milk when we arrived at Papanui. Each morning we have been heading up to the cattle yard to feed them hay bales. We learned from Mark that when you separate the bale into pieces called biscuits and they brake that way because of they way it was out together. Pretty interesting stuff!

So some of these calves weren't doing so well last week. You may notice that some of them have on eye patches (and if you didn't look before chances are you will now!) and this was because many of them had a pink eye infection. So after we marked which ones showed symptoms, carefully separated them out over a few hours times, we eventually were able to help Mark give them some shots in the eyelids, apply and intent, and glue on the patch.

This evening we finally set the little calves free into the pasture. We herded using the shaggy red dog named Sandy. We moved them probably close to a mile or so out and about where they will now be able to graze freely. It was challenging as out atv blew a flat tire about ten minutes into the process and the whole path was covered with nice green grass and the calves were more interests in chomping down than moving along. It made for a long adventure but we did it in the end. They all made it safely and none were left behind. Success!

Until later,
Jes & Brian

Ps. You won't see any smiling photos of Brian near the calves and their yummy hay breakfasts because we recently discovered he suffers from hay fever :(