A Day in the Life of Cows..
Lately I have been giving tours to local families who are curious about our farm and the ins and outs, day to day life that happens here!
As you may all remember, my background is in education. I strongly feel that God is leading me to reach out to people in this way! I have often said, if I can touch just one person (big or small) to share our livelihood and spark a fire in them, then I’ve done my job.
It’s rejuvenating, enlightening and refreshing to hear the questions being asked on the tours. To see the excitement on their faces when their eyes finally meet our animals! A little lamb love, calf’s skipping and education can go a long way!
We check our cows multiple times a day during calving season. We try to be very visible to them to show them we are “their people.” This afternoon, I was watching our herd. As I walked through the pen I witnessed a few wonderful experiences! Cows have such personalities, I love learning about them!
I was able to experience the cows “giving each other baths” licking and cleaning one another. They are characters! This means one thing; happy cows. Cows show affection and love by licking each other and sleeping next to each other. They form life long bonds with other cows, just like we do. It’s so fun to see and pretty comical!
A few minutes later while still watching, I see a calf nursing. While I watch her get a great drink, I notice more and more feet under her, near that cows utter. Then I look up and the mamma ( a first time heifer) is giving another cow a bath (licking her face and neck), she was very intent and focused on it. I then looked back down and see she is letting her calf and two others steal milk! After the bath was over, she slowly noticed and lifted her back foot ever so gently and slowly doing a kicking motion. This is as if to say “that’s enough, no more milk for you sillies, stop stealing!”
Many first time heifers may not understand their “job” as a new mamma. Some think that any calf should be able to get a free drink from them! Other heifers are much more protective and do not allow this!! Cows know each other by their smell, much like sheep and most other animals.
Cows also “chew their cud.” This is known as ruminating, to help in digestion. To visualize, it’s like if we had a huge wad of bubble gum we were continuously chewing on. The jaw moves in a circular chewing motion. The process of ruminating involves regurgitating partially digested food from the rumen. The rumen is the first compartment of their four-compartment stomach. They then chew it up again.
I find it fascinating, somehow they have conversations with each other and babysitting is a job in cow world also. Many times I have noticed multiple calves laying with one mamma, while all the others are chowing down on hay. Taking a free minute.
It really does take a village. There are many friendly caring “aunties” in our herd. Always looking out for each other and the babies. Licking, cleaning and loving on one another. Our mammas stick together and help one another out! It’s honestly refreshing and rewarding to witness. My happy place to watch in awe.
