Yesterday Husband was sharpening the blades on the meat grinder, and we were all ready for the test run. I had this nice butt ready to be sausaged. I might never know what suddenly possessed him to go outside to the far side of the garage, but he was compelled half way through sausage making. It was a good thing he did.
He returned and informed me that the bull calf was down. He could only get the calf to respond with eye blinks and a small twitch of a front hoof. There was no fever or signs of disease, yet no visible trauma. After he informed me of that, my thought was Mama. We have had issues with Mama before. If a cow can be territorial, she is it. Our problems with her started with her not allowing others to eat. She attempted to starve out Murial when she first got here. We should have butchered her a while back.
We decided to go ahead and end the calf's life. Once we cut into him, we could see the injuries. He had bruising on his groin area, his stomach and side. His organs were clean and intact, no signs of trauma or disease. He was a healthy boy. But then I found it, his back had been broken.
Yes it ticked me off, and yes Mama is slated for butcher, she has been for a bit, but the weather hasn't cooperated with our plans.
You know how you feel after spending a winter doing little, and you go all crazy that first day in the garden, working so that the next morning you are super sore? I haven't stood that long in four months. My ankle is so sore, the back of my good knee is in knots, stretching my bad one causes spasming cramps. No, not a good time! But it is good for me, sigh.
Just another day at the Neophyte Homestead.
12 comments:
Sucks that you lost the calf. I'm glad he was found quickly.
Dammit... it just never ends. Looks like Y'ALL need to anoint YOUR house and go into spiritual battle. The friggin' Devil stays drunk, to avoid a hangover. Time for you to give him one! I'm so sorry y'all are being hit with so much, as well, Girlie.
I hate that! But thats less livestock you have to move. Positive thoughts. :)
Just one thing after another, isn't it?
Keep plugging, friend.
So sorry..Hope he wasn't one you planned to move. I guess you did salvage the meat at least or was he too small? If you did I bet it will be good and tender.
I'm sore from standing all day butchering chickens and then another two days canning and I don't have a broke knee!
Oh no, I'm so....so sorry to hear that about your little calf, sounds like Mama needs to be put down.
Take things one day at a time, and rest your knee for a while.
slow and easy sweet girl. slow and easy. the rat
I wish you would quit scaring me like that! LOL I thought you had fallen or something and messed up that knee of yours again. It does sound like you have an animal that needs something done with before she hurts one of you.
While I prefer not to hate animals, there are times... I do wonder if it is me or them, but depend upon God to guide when we fail. I doubt if you are less or more?
Woman, you bring things to mind I would rather forget. Do what you must and know God loves you... even if I think you are wrong on GMF. :p
As for pain? Trust me, it is in your best interest. It clarifies like nothing God has let me taste. Usually of my own accord, as I might say yours. You love the wind as I love... my things. And we have paid. No knock on your man, his guilt is manly. His love is good, true. As is yours of the wind. *smile* Don't ever forget to love! Urhm, even the wind, lass.
Sister, just... endure. He is with you, as I am, for my part.
Wow, that sounds pretty gruesome lol. You can have an animal like that around the farm. Not only do they cost you money they are downright dangerous at times.
So sorry about the calf. That's just terrible. Hope you are able to take care of that soon.
Mama sounds like a wee bit of a bitch. Poor calf. At least you found him sooner rather than later and he didn't suffer too much. Bye Mama it's time to move on down the road meanie.
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