Thursday 21 November 2013

What a day!!!! and help i need a name................

WARNING THIS IS A LONG POST BUT STICK WITH ME I HAVE LOTS TO SHARE
OK so todays list of jobs.................
1. bookwork
2.  finish my SSCS parcel
simple right.........
I FORGOT NOTHING IS EVER SIMPLE HERE!!!!!
Mr Chooky was going to do a job he didn't want to do at another property (couple hours tops) then back home to feed sheep.......so feeling guilty I said yes I would go help..........
I had a funny feeling the day was going to be delayed but had no idea to what extent..............
a couple of hours turned into 10hrs!!!!!!
Anyway when we got to the other property I said we should check the big dam out the back as the water is getting low........
On the way out checking the cows I got Mr Chooky to stop so I could jump out of the car and get this pic of a goanna...........different type to the one I had in my garden the other day.............
he's much bigger all round.............

Here he is up the tree...........Goanna's get frightened and they head for the nearest tree........
he was making a funny sound a huffing sound he was not happy with me taking his pic but obliged by staying in the one spot in the tree for a great shot...........
this sort have a fat tummy.......

We got out to the big dam and this guy was down having a drink so I got Mr Chooky to drive around the other side and I went hunting for him in the nearest tree...........
Again another type of Goanna.....think army camo gear here/ blotchy.....funny angle of the pic but you get to see him pretty well.............

Here's the dam.........very bad news here we have to move the stock out of this paddock ASAP it is buggered............silty and going green with a dead animal who got stuck in the mud on the other side too.........we don't want to lose cows in this dam.....we will have to desilt it ASAP...........3-4 days on  tractors probably..............I have a post to show you of desilting so you will know what I am talking about once I get it up on the blog.............

we went to check some more cattle as we will have to sell some and also checking the troughs and found a cow down calving..............
we walked her up towards the house a bit and left her..............went and did the job we needed to do...............then went back and checked her..............no progress.............we had absolutely nothing with us so we had to go home and get a bike and ropes and the calf puller and the gun (if all else failed)
by this time it was well after lunch............back out to the property we go......
I said to Mr Chooky so whats the plan..............he said I don't have one...........we couldn't get her to any cattle yards so we had to catch her in the paddock and tie her to the ute and get more ropes on her and try to contain her to pull the calf..............
this is the first time we got her............Mr Chooky gave me a serve right about now for taking pics instead of helping him - not that I knew what I was supposed to be doing!!!!!
We had her tied up more then this then she escaped............bugger......

This is the second time we caught her and she didn't escape this time...........Mr Chooky was trying to put the chains on the calves feet..........the calf was breech.........yee gods poor mother................
See the rope around her neck.............the previous time we caught her I had been pulling on that rope...........stupid thing is a hemp rope and I got what feels like a million fine splinters (3-5mm long) in my hands from it........my hands felt like they were burning.......I found some gloves for later......I pulled out about 20 of the splinters .....then later I dug out about 20 from each hand.....definitely no stitching for me tonight........the only needle I will be using will be to dig more splinters out.........
the rope going to the front of the pic was me pulling keeping her tight.......so she didn't escape again...........

the  she went down.........exhausted.........was easier to work on her then...........the calf was not an easy pull at all........real struggle....she would have died calving for sure as there is no way she would have pushed it out......the pic below is just after we got the calf out.............I had been right where the goo was coming out at the rear end..............Mr Chooky would have KILLED me if I pulled the camera out then when the calf was part way out as we were having such a struggle...........I didn't have a free hand either....
but there was no time to worry about the cow.............we had to get some life into the calf..............I thought it was dead then I saw the slightest movement..............so some gut pumping to clear the lungs and then we had it hanging off the back of the ute to drain it's airways.....clearing it's mouth out..........it wasn't looking good at this stage............but I wasn't doing mouth to mouth I can assure you............

finally she came to life much better.............we let Mum go and got out of the way............
Mum wasn't to interested in hanging around and we had to keep pushing her back to the calf..........who was sitting up but not up on her feet and not mooing for mum...........
Mum would stand there for a bit then leave again.............we would turn her back same thing happen again.......she was not cleaning her baby up at all........we waited with them for quite some time.....keeping Mum there................
in the end a storm was coming in and it was getting late and we had to make a decision..........the calf had still not got up on her feet.......Mum still not interested..........we could have a definite win win keep both alive if we take the calf home as a poddy...........if we lived there and could have shut her in a yard for the night and hope the calf gets up and "mothers up".........maybe we could have done that but that was not possible......

So into the back of the ute she went......dust was blowing and some lightning was hitting down..............we got a few spots as we were leaving but I think that was all we got.......
I got back home just as the storm hit here - dust blowing around pretty windy and then a couple of spots and all gone..........lasted about 2 mins..........
So here she is tonight having her first drink...........
she's a mess with all the afterbirth not cleaned up and the dirt stuck all over her.................

And now standing for the first time.........we had to drag her up onto her feet but she did stay standing on her own at times..........I rubbed her up a bit to try and clean her up a bit.....

and her she is in the garden tonight.............cute isn't she.........after all the effort I am so pleased we had a live calf.........i'm feeling confident about her....and the cow is alive she'll get sold from us but she didn't die calving......i'll have to give the calf some standing workouts tomorrow......her back legs are a bit dodgy but that's probably from pulling her out and they will feel a bit better tomorrow................
So I need your help............
She needs a name.......
It always to refer back to the relevance of the day or the calf  with me......
eg Curly Pop's had little curls of hair when she was born....
Curly Pops first calf was a boy Cops (Curly pOPS) and her next calf was Coco Pops because coco pops are dark and she was all black.......and keeping with the Pop's bit too............
So back to deciding on a name - it was a stinking hot day, a storm came in an there was lighting....
I did think of "lighting" but that doesn't sound good for a girl......
so any suggestions...
leave a comment if you have a suggestion of what I could call her.............
Catch you later
Chookyblue
PS even better news Mr Chooky just called out she's been up on her own out the back.........yippee.........off to give her another drink and into bed I am exhausted.............
PSS and dig a few more things out my hands............so sore.......

45 comments:

Susan said...

Aaaaah.....not complaining about my busy day now. Thank goodness for farmers, and sweet little calves. No good suggestions for a name, except maybe Lucky. Have a good rest.

One for a wish.. said...

How about Storm or Stormy?

creations.1 said...

Just another day on the farm Chooky!!! Never a dull moment is there. DAMN!!!!! those goanna's are big - and all different types - make sure you keep your friends up there with you please.
Aname for the calf...hmm... Stormy Eve, Wasted Day!! Dust Reward!! Storm Prickle!!

gracie said...

First of all...wow. I do admire your strength. Living here in Arizona U SA, I thought of a Native American name....Angeni which means spirit. I do think she does have the spirit to live.

Anonymous said...

Good heavens all in a day on a farm,thankyou for sharing I always find it interesting what goes on at a farm.
I think the name beauty suits your little calf as in you little beauty, they are both very lucky to be alive.
hope those hands are feeling better soon chooky.xx

Jewells said...

I called the "first" calf I actually watched being born "Eve".. you know "first female".. well anyways.. what about "Hope" for this little one?.. "Hope" she survives, "Hope" it rains?

Maria said...

Just another busy, day in the life of Mr Chooky and you.
Nice pics of the goannas..
Great job saving both the cow and calf.. Wh at about "Raine" she is very cute.

chook said...


I think she should be Faith because that's what all our farmers have faith that it will rain again one day best luck with her she is cute hugs Beth

Terry said...

I'm glad to hear all ended well for your new little girl. I was going to say call her Rayne but I see someone else beat me to it! LOL

Brenda said...

This post brought ne to tears. My Aunt Marse and Uncle Burt had a dairy farm and I first helped in such a delivery when I was less than three. Truth be told I didn't really do anything but it is a memory that has stayed with me. Their calves always had a name with the same first initial as Mum. A number of Brenda's were born over the years but always sold as they were trouble makers. What hope did I have I ask you? So as you are now to be her mum I think her name has to start with the letter D.

loulee said...

That was a helluva day!
I'm a little more pragmatic about naming livestock.... How about fillet steak? LOL

Wacky Woman said...

One of the lightening goddesses is Bronte. So very sweet!

Unknown said...

Hi Chooky, what a day it was for you, we get goanna like that where I live all the time, they are always trying to steal the chook eggs. What about Chance as a name for your new calf, it was only by chance that you were there to help. I hope you get some rain soon, we need some as well but at least we got a little over the last couple of weeks. Good luck with the calf.
Lizzi xo

Nedra said...

What an amazing story. I think you should call her Tenacity, because she certainly has the power of endurance and the ability to persist.

Lynn said...

What about Dusty? I'm exhausted just from reading this. Glad the little one made it, hope your hand heals quickly.

Satu said...

What a story! I think your day was almost as dramatic as in MacLeod's Daughters;o)...LOL... hih-hih!!! I had yesterday sparkling day... maybe she should be Dee SPARKLE (as remind lightning). I have always dreamed of a journey to Australia some day... but I think those huge goannas are too much to me. Even the most smallest lizards are too much for me... KÄÄK!!!

Kucki68 said...

Storm Cloud?

Thimbleanna said...

Wow Donna! I was glued to my screen waiting to read what happened to the little calf. So glad she survived. Once you've had her, is there any chance that the mother will take her back? You could have something related to the Goanna's for her name? (Speaking of which, I'm a little disturbed that my name is part of those ugly creatures LOL!)

Khris78 said...

Oh wow what a hectic day .... Not good with naming cows but I do think she is very cute !!! Hope your hands are feeling better today x

Peg - Happy In Quilting said...

What a day Chooky....and I thought mine was bad...but, you did get one gorgeous calf from yours....a name!!!!....Well you have Curly Pops....what about Cutie Pie....

Janice said...

I'm just tired reading about your day. Our next door neighbour's donkey is "Storm Girl" as she was born on such a day. I always like that name.

Sherry said...

Oh my! What a day you had! Hope your hands are feeling better.

As for a name for the calf. . . perhaps DeLight (for dust & lightning)?

Sandi said...

Oh chooky, reading your blog has made my day...love it...little calfs name should be SPLINTERS....just a little reminder of the day....lol

Craig said...

Oh...love hearing about life on the farm. We raised our own beef, pigs, chickens for years...never a dull moment...especially when it comes to calving. You didn't say the name of that beautiful mama. Our friends had a dairy and a huge cow named Mama. Babies named Big Mama, Little Mama, Black Mama,and Mama Cieta. My suggestion would be Reds Girl. Farming is definitely a labor of love for the animals and the land. Bless you and the Mr. Pat McDonald

Cheryll said...

Aarrr... gotta love a story with a HaPPy ending!
As for a name I loved an earlier suggestion of "Splinters" but "Indy" comes to mind...for independent!

Fiona said...

oh my what a day but what a lovely ending..... I think she should be called Lucky... she is very lucky...
hope your hands feel better ....

Hugz

Daisy Jayne said...

all in a days work on the farm,thankyou for sharing I always find it interesting what goes on at a farm.
littleone's suggestions
Popsy
Poppy
Lollipop
Joypops
or just plain and honest "Justlucky"

Salley said...

What a marathon. So . . . choose a women's marathon name .. . .or.... Mary...short for Marathon.

Glad the result was positive. . . cant afford to lose these gals. Hope your hands heal quickly. x

Baa. xxx said...

Wow! Big day for everyone! How about StormCloud? for the white blob on her forehead. Hope those hands heal well.

Maria said...

My goodness, I was exhausted just reading about your eventful day! Glad it all worked out for the mother and baby...so good that you both were there. Hope your hands are not so ouchy today.

Unknown said...

What a day! Hope the little one is doing ok. Maybe, Poe, short for potential. Sharyn:)

Michelle Ridgway said...

Gawd! What a day you had!!! Those Goanna's were big boys/girls! I am glad the little girl has survived.

Kate said...

Little Dot because you only had little dots of rain, hope she is up & about today poor baby

Susan said...

Totally worn out just reading it all...So many lovely names - definitely NOT Fillet Steak!!!

Sonia said...

Oh my what an ordeal, happy that little miss "Eli-pops" survived, I was ready for a flood of tears after reading the gun addition.

Name decider - loved reading all the names - and thought about it Elysia is a greek name for lightning struck - so Eli-pops in keeping with your tradition of pops...LOL

Sue SA said...

Magpie - she is black and white, got stuck half way/ran out of legs at half time and is unlikely to win a premiership!

Unknown said...

Read your post to the Mr. He gets it.
Just another day in the Country Huh!... So Glad Bub Survived ....
I like Storm for the Name.
Cheers

Jan said...

Never a dull moment when you're around, Chooky! Hope the hands are recovering. How about Rainy - maybe that name would inspire some of that elusive wet stuff to visit your place!

Narelle said...

You made me laugh about taking photo opportunities when the Mr thinks his requirements should come first :o)
Glad mother and daughter both made it as they're too valuable.
Sorry but I'm no good at names ... haven't named our boy poddy yet!

Anonymous said...

Man and I thought I just had a busy day at work.

I was thinking storm also plus you had a few drops of rain for a tease so could be Storm Drops. Whatever you call it its a very lucky little calf

Susie said...

Great post. I like the name Ace. my (juvenile) thoughts were, " it's ace she lived". Simple name.

Wildsimmy said...

My 8 year old say;s liv

Anita said...

Our days were so different, me in my sterile office and you pulling a calf!
I think she should be called Storm

Anita said...

Our days were so different, me in my sterile office and you pulling a calf!
I think she should be called Storm

Fairy Floss Stitches said...

Great story Chooky..so glad you got some pickies! (And mum and bub are OK)....maybe you need one of those little sports camera strapped to your head... then Mr Chooky wont go crook!