Weaning

I separated out Mom's four calves on Sunday. Working cattle can be easy, if you understand the "dance". It's the way you hold your head, the direction you look, the shift of your leading shoulder as you glide sideways that can tell one cow that *she* is allowed to go out the gate while you keep another cow inside the pen. If the sun is out, and you work slowly so the cows think *they* are in control, you win. LOL

These calves were born last June. We usually wean at 5-6 months of age, but winter was bitter this year, so we left the kiddos with their mothers instead. The herd sleeping together kept everyone comfy. 

The calves were familiar with that section of pens before weaning, because that's where the herd accesses the molasses tubs and salt blocks. (We start that preparation a month or so ahead of time, so the calves will find it familiar when we wean.)

These four youngsters are close to Mom's house, so she stands out there and talks, sings, etc. to them while she's filling the stock tank for the cows. She puts a little hay out every time she visits them, 4-6 times a day, so they think she's the cat's pajamas. LOL

But the calves do wonder why their mothers don't miss them. (I know why. Those mommas were probably tired of sharp little teeth grabbing on to their teats. hehehe) The mothers come up once a day for a nice drink of water. Stop and stare at their kids. And then nonchalantly walk away.