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Barnyard Buddies:  Scottish Highland Heifers  |
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YakLady
True Blue Farmgirl
652 Posts
Natalie
Montana
USA
652 Posts |
 Posted - Apr 16 2012 : 11:45:19 AM
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Well, it's tax season. What does that mean for this farmgirl? Oh ya know, just bought some new cows with the refund!
These are two Highland heifers. The mom is a first-calf heifer, not yet 3 years old. Her daughter came to live with us, too!
FC Heifer (D):
Heifer Calf (G):
Together:
Some Yak in BG:
They are white, but spent all winter being fed with a bunch of meat steers, so they're a little 'dingy.' We got the calf brushed out a little yesterday, but I need to work on the momma.
These fine ladies still need names! I want something Scottish and for the names to start with a "D" and a "G" for the initials of their original owner who would've been a star on this site if she had known about it! She passed away last September from cancer, and I want to honor her memory without naming the cattle after her (which might be over the top?). Her husband is the most wonderful, dedicated man, and we would like to send him a photo book with pictures of them and their names and how they got them :)
If any of you fine ladies have Scotties, I'd love to see pics and hear about them!
~Natalie~ Just a farmgirl in Western Montana. http://mtnme.blogspot.com
Starting a family and raising Tibetan Yaks, Laying hens, Muscovy ducks, and a few dogs. Looking to add heritage rabbits. |
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ceejay48
Farmgirl Legend/Schoolmarm/Sharpshooter
13699 Posts
CeeJay (CJ)
Dolores
Colorado
USA
13699 Posts |
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gramadinah
True Blue Farmgirl
3557 Posts
Diana
Orofino
ID
USA
3557 Posts |
Posted - Apr 16 2012 : 1:43:56 PM
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Cute !!!!
Diana
Farmgirl Sister #273 |
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Fiddlehead Farm
True Blue Farmgirl
4562 Posts
Diane
Waupaca
WI
USA
4562 Posts |
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rksmith
True Blue Farmgirl
858 Posts
Rachel
Clayton
GA
USA
858 Posts |
Posted - Apr 16 2012 : 5:07:58 PM
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They're gorgeous!!!
Rachel
Farmgirl Sister #2753
True enlightenment is nothing but the nature of one's own self being fully realised-- His Holiness the Dali Lama
http://madame1313.wordpress.com/ |
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MEWolf
True Blue Farmgirl
358 Posts
Margaret
Byers
Colorado
USA
358 Posts |
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YakLady
True Blue Farmgirl
652 Posts
Natalie
Montana
USA
652 Posts |
Posted - Apr 16 2012 : 9:56:05 PM
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Thanks, ladies! I went out today and played with them a bit. They are sweet girls indeed for having very little human contact since last August!
A better close-up:
Yoko the Yak photobombed... I think it makes the pic all the more funny.
~Natalie~ Just a farmgirl in Western Montana. http://mtnme.blogspot.com
Starting a family and raising Tibetan Yaks, Laying hens, Muscovy ducks, and a few dogs. Looking to add heritage rabbits. |
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Megan
True Blue Farmgirl
155 Posts
Megan
Hudson
South Dakota
USA
155 Posts |
Posted - Apr 17 2012 : 12:58:22 AM
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I have a highlander, One thing to do is brush them regularlly as they will pull mats out and look a little ragged. Dog collers work good for having them drag leads....so heres Jane
www.rockriverexoticsandkennel.net |
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YakLady
True Blue Farmgirl
652 Posts
Natalie
Montana
USA
652 Posts |
Posted - Apr 17 2012 : 07:15:35 AM
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Jane is gorgeous, Megan!
Yes, These girls were wintered in a sort of feedlot scenario... so they are matted up and ragged looking. I worked on the baby a little bit, they're a work in progress for sure! They're actually white under all that ick, so I'm going to be working on getting them all cleaned up for as long as it takes. They're really good with grain, so I'm hoping to get them prettied up sooner than later.
Thanks for sharing your picture! What do you use Jane for? I'm considering trying to milk the mom if I can get her trained up for it. I'll be getting some big dog collars for them soon, thanks for that suggestion :) We have a drag on the baby- it's a halter/lead combo that my bull so nicely slipped off her snout for her.
~Natalie~ Just a farmgirl in Western Montana. http://mtnme.blogspot.com
Starting a family and raising Tibetan Yaks, Laying hens, Muscovy ducks, and a few dogs. Looking to add heritage rabbits. |
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crittergranny
True Blue Farmgirl
1096 Posts
Laura
Lindrith
NM
USA
1096 Posts |
Posted - Apr 17 2012 : 07:38:04 AM
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Are they used for their hair? Like in weaving or something? I'm just curious. I have seen them but just run with regular meat cattle. Never heard of anyone brushing them. I am all for brushing anything that will let me but I'm just curious as to what you are going to use them for. I think they are so pretty.
Laura
Horse poor in the boonies.
www.nmbarrelhorses.com |
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Bayou Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
252 Posts
Jennifer
Star City
Arkansas
USA
252 Posts |
Posted - Apr 17 2012 : 08:22:59 AM
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Wow, what beautiful cattle, ladies!
~Jennifer~
Farmgirl #3803
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Megan
True Blue Farmgirl
155 Posts
Megan
Hudson
South Dakota
USA
155 Posts |
Posted - Apr 17 2012 : 08:39:27 AM
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Highlanders are a Meat cow, that is know for a high marble contian on the meat. Im using jane as a Milk cow/ stock cow.
As for the halters staying on... their noses are differnt thsn normal caves and you have to watch for their dewlap thing.... when i was teaching mine i use a dog collor and let her drag a rope around then when i wanted to lead her i slipped the rope through the collor and around the nose... now i use a rope tied like a big sheep or goat halter....
Good Luck
www.rockriverexoticsandkennel.net |
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Megan
True Blue Farmgirl
155 Posts
Megan
Hudson
South Dakota
USA
155 Posts |
Posted - Apr 17 2012 : 08:41:22 AM
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Oh ya.... dont worry about the long hair that the older cow is missing it will grow back in time..
www.rockriverexoticsandkennel.net |
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YakLady
True Blue Farmgirl
652 Posts
Natalie
Montana
USA
652 Posts |
Posted - Apr 17 2012 : 11:28:09 AM
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I'll definitely work on that, Megan! Where did you get collars thick/long enough for a Scotty?
Oh and thanks! I was wondering why the Mom's hair was so darn short and the baby's is longer. Just guess she got into some tussles with the steers?
~Natalie~ Just a farmgirl in Western Montana. http://mtnme.blogspot.com
Starting a family and raising Tibetan Yaks, Laying hens, Muscovy ducks, and a few dogs. Looking to add heritage rabbits. |
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pennyhenny
True Blue Farmgirl
304 Posts
Missy
Dayton
OH
USA
304 Posts |
Posted - Apr 17 2012 : 11:45:50 AM
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MAGNIFICENT creatures. Hmmmm...do you think I could have a Highlander in the city? :)
hugs,
-missy-
http://citychickblogging.blogspot.com/
Sisterhood Member#4003
Happiness held is the seed; Happiness shared is the flower.
John Harrigan |
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Megan
True Blue Farmgirl
155 Posts
Megan
Hudson
South Dakota
USA
155 Posts |
Posted - Apr 17 2012 : 12:03:24 PM
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I found cow collars at our farm store, but mine i made from a rope, I put a bull snap on one end and a bowline knot on the other end, Leaving the extra to be the lead until my dad showed me the cow collars
The older cow was probbly shedding the under coat and matted it with the long guard hair then pulled the matts out... I have seen it at the sale barns alot.
www.rockriverexoticsandkennel.net |
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YakLady
True Blue Farmgirl
652 Posts
Natalie
Montana
USA
652 Posts |
Posted - Apr 17 2012 : 7:09:40 PM
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Laura- I think I will be able to use their down next spring, but not so much this year. They didn't have any snow where they wintered, so they've already blown their undercoats out into mats :(
Missy- I think you could if you could keep it quiet. The yaks are almost silent. These ladies- not so much!
Megan- Oh good to know it's normal if they aren't brushed enough. Any tips on getting the cow to stand for brushing other than grain? I'm going to try to lead her through the squeeze chute and get her in the head catch for some good grooming.
~Natalie~ Just a farmgirl in Western Montana. http://mtnme.blogspot.com
Starting a family and raising Tibetan Yaks, Laying hens, Muscovy ducks, and a few dogs. Looking to add heritage rabbits. |
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crittergranny
True Blue Farmgirl
1096 Posts
Laura
Lindrith
NM
USA
1096 Posts |
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Megan
True Blue Farmgirl
155 Posts
Megan
Hudson
South Dakota
USA
155 Posts |
Posted - Apr 18 2012 : 01:02:21 AM
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I did a lot of horse desensitizing exercises and kept brushing her no matter where she moved to, now i can walk out and brush her with no lead... I normally brush her when i feed grain right know because its hatching season here and i have 700+ bird to take care of... Jane comes to the fence to check out what im doing, she like a dog always around to lick your face... Gotta love that
www.rockriverexoticsandkennel.net |
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YakLady
True Blue Farmgirl
652 Posts
Natalie
Montana
USA
652 Posts |
Posted - Apr 18 2012 : 08:29:02 AM
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Holy Moly, Megan! 700+ is a ton of birds! Like literally... probably over 2000 gross weight there ;)
Thanks, I'll try the brushing when I grain some more. I was able to brush her forehead a little yesterday while she ate her grain, but that's it. The baby got a total brush down. I don't have a horse, so I'll have to get creative :)
~Natalie~ Just a farmgirl in Western Montana. http://mtnme.blogspot.com
Starting a family and raising Tibetan Yaks, Laying hens, Muscovy ducks, and a few dogs. Looking to add heritage rabbits. |
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magnoliakathy
True Blue Farmgirl
453 Posts
Kathryn
Magnolia
Texas
USA
453 Posts |
Posted - Apr 19 2012 : 08:10:26 AM
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How about Fional and Kenna?
When you free your mind your heart can fly. Farmgirl # 714, |
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YakLady
True Blue Farmgirl
652 Posts
Natalie
Montana
USA
652 Posts |
Posted - Apr 19 2012 : 10:51:19 AM
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My husband said "They're blonde... Barbie and Dolly" and of course it stuck >.< Not the Scottish names I was hoping for... but oh well. I can always give their calves cool names?
The woman's maiden name started with a "B" so it still works in that application, at least.
~Natalie~ Just a farmgirl in Western Montana. http://mtnme.blogspot.com
Starting a family and raising Tibetan Yaks, Laying hens, Muscovy ducks, and a few dogs. Looking to add heritage rabbits. |
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acairnsmom
True Blue Farmgirl
1319 Posts
audrey
cheyenne
wy
1319 Posts |
Posted - Apr 19 2012 : 1:12:19 PM
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Aiy! Bare-bie and Do-lly are bonnie lasses! Just remember to say there names with that Scottish lilt!
Audrey
.jpg) Good boy Hobbs! I love and miss you. |
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YakLady
True Blue Farmgirl
652 Posts
Natalie
Montana
USA
652 Posts |
Posted - Apr 19 2012 : 1:35:02 PM
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Haha, I like that, Audrey :) I'll have to try that. They're already responding to their names- they are smart like the yaks! The Shorthorn bull I fitted for show in college never learned his name...
Maybe because "Valentino" is too long?
~Natalie~ Just a farmgirl in Western Montana. http://mtnme.blogspot.com
Starting a family and raising Tibetan Yaks, Laying hens, Muscovy ducks, and a few dogs. Looking to add heritage rabbits. |
Edited by - YakLady on Apr 19 2012 1:35:44 PM |
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Barnyard Buddies: Scottish Highland Heifers |
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Scottish Highland Heifers
