Tuesday 28th March 2017
Parsley prepares for calving
This was Parsley the day before yesterday when we first let the cows out of the Cow Pad: head down, thoroughly enjoying the fresh grass and no doubt, being Parsley, having chosen the best spot!
But today, we had a bit of a shock. When we went to feed the cows late afternoon, Parsley, usually first over when she sees the feed bucket was LAST. She did not run but walked and then when she eventually arrived and began feeding we noticed lots of cuts and grazes on her back and sides as though she had been rubbing against trees or fences?? None were bad and all looked clean but her hair was missing a bit on some of them. THEN, the other two, who by this stage had finished their feed, came over and SHOVED her out of the way and then KEPT shoving her even though the food had all gone. This NEVER happens as Parsley is top dog and always has been. The shoving wasn’t just about getting her feed either, as they kept on shoving even when they were all away from the trugg. Parsley is due to calve in ten days and we were going to put her in the collecting area at the weekend in preparation. This has now been brought forward as we put her in there straight away and will now keep her there till she has the calf.
So what was that all about? In chatting to fellow Dexter keepers, the conclusion is that as Parsley is now very heavily pregnant and close to giving birth, Sage (as it was she that led the bullying) decided to take full advantage and try to become ‘top dog’. Thyme followed her as she probably recognised that Sage had the advantage and unfortunately in the world of ‘mother nature’, supporting the underdog or the weakling is NOT done as there is no advantage to it and indeed it can threaten the existence and survival of the rest of the group! Cows may be domesticated but natural animal behaviours such as these still exist!
It was very odd and quite unsettling to see the change in the hierarchy like this and of course with new calves on the way, the herd order will probably change to a greater or lesser degree quite a few more times.
For now Parsley will stay in the Collecting Area (she has the whole of it now so grass as well as the Cow Pad) and hopefully in a week or so will be a mum again and then eventually re-establish her place in the herd!!!
But today, we had a bit of a shock. When we went to feed the cows late afternoon, Parsley, usually first over when she sees the feed bucket was LAST. She did not run but walked and then when she eventually arrived and began feeding we noticed lots of cuts and grazes on her back and sides as though she had been rubbing against trees or fences?? None were bad and all looked clean but her hair was missing a bit on some of them. THEN, the other two, who by this stage had finished their feed, came over and SHOVED her out of the way and then KEPT shoving her even though the food had all gone. This NEVER happens as Parsley is top dog and always has been. The shoving wasn’t just about getting her feed either, as they kept on shoving even when they were all away from the trugg. Parsley is due to calve in ten days and we were going to put her in the collecting area at the weekend in preparation. This has now been brought forward as we put her in there straight away and will now keep her there till she has the calf.
For now Parsley will stay in the Collecting Area (she has the whole of it now so grass as well as the Cow Pad) and hopefully in a week or so will be a mum again and then eventually re-establish her place in the herd!!!