New Batch of Calves for the Spring

It's that time of year for the new calves to arrive. All being well they should be delivered Friday 15.02.08.

This weekend has been spent preparing their welcome, in the form of spreading straw on the ground to keep them warm, putting hay at their feeder, and making sure there is plenty of ventilation through walls, doors, fan, etc.

The plan is for 18 Belgian / British Blue beef calves, though it may just be 17 if the vet cannot descend an undescended testicle. We had one like this many years ago, and ended up paying a vets bill to the neighbouring dairy farmer who wanted dairy calves, not beef. After this we had to keep the calf, named Haybob,(probably by Steven, because that piece of machinery was in the yard at the time he was born) in solitary confinement.

After 3 months of freedom from calves it will take a bit of getting used to again, but after a few days, it will, no doubt, feel like they have never been away.

As today was such a glorious day, I also took the opportunity to go up on the roof to try and find the source of the leak onto our new ceiling. The strongest contender appears to be a joint between the lead flashing and I have sealed that off. If that stops it for the time being, I will make a more permanent joint in the Summer.