New Zealand Life

Blooming Flowers

Big Sisters
It’s now been two months since the arrival of Jasmine and Violet. They both have grown much larger, put on some weight and their coats have gotten blacker and shinier. When we first got them, we started off by feeding them a 2L (liter) bottle of milk three times a day, which was 2 liters more than their required daily amount of milk. We then decreased the amount to 2 bottles, and are now feeding them one bottle of 2.5L of milk. This way, they eat more grass, pellets, and alfalfa. During the night, they sleep in the stall originally meant for the horses, to keep out of the rain and wind. The stall is left open at all times so they can graze 24/7.

Violet
With her beautiful shiny blue -black coat, extremely smart mind and affectionate soul, Violet is probably the most cuddly of all our “flowers.” Her favorite spot to be rubbed is on her neck, and on the top of her head. She quickly caught onto her halter training when she was younger, and still excels at the task. She bobs her head up a down and flicks her tail when she steps forward, and now, she doesn’t even really need to be tugged at anymore. Instead, she just follows where the leader goes with the slightest pressure.
Jasmine
Jasmine, affectionately known as Jazz, is more of a dark brown color. She will turn black as she matures, but her baby coat is bleached out. She is also nearly two months old, and Violet’s best friend. She is very affectionate (just like Violet), and loves to have her chin scratched. When she was younger, during her halter lessons, she would dramatically collapse on the ground, however, she eventually learned it was easier to cooperate and walk along with the halter than fight it (or collapse). We are still working on getting her better at working on the halter, and she has been doing very well lately.


Baby Girls
We got Dahlia and Rose, on September 8, at only 3 days old. They have grown nicely this month and have certainly put some weight on. We started by feeding these little babies three 2L bottles (just like Violet and Jazz). A fortnight later, we put them down to two feedings. They are still on a breakfast-dinner schedule, but now they are getting a 2.5L bottle at each meal instead, and are being feed hay and pellets for extra nutrients and protein. They are allowed to graze during the day, but we continue to lock them in a night so they can stay out of the cold (and possibly wet) weather.

Dahlia
Though one of the younger calves, Dahlia is probably the smartest of all. Even when everyone has finished their milk and gone into the pasture, she will follow me like a puppy, waiting for more. She also was extremely quick at learning her halter lessons. Mom taught her a couple times when she was a baby. I recently took on the job to complete everyone’s halter training, and Dahlia was amazing! She shook her head on the first two or three steps, and then got the hang of it. She was walking on the lead halter almost as well as Violet! We vaccinated and drenched her, although she was feisty. She currently has a bump on her neck where the syringe went into her neck; however, the bump is common (all the other calves have it too), and should go away.
Rose
Rosie Posy! With a tiny little face and body, a white spot on her belly, and a white-tipped tail to top it off, it is always easy to pick out our petite Rose. This little girl loves her milk and can drink milk nearly as fast as her older sisters Jazz and Violet. However, that is not her only forte. Of all the calves, Rosie is our fastest. She is especially cute when she sticks her head forward, lays her ears back, and moves her little legs as fast as she can. Though she hasn’t quite learned how to walk on the halter as well as her best friend, Dahlia, she is progressing well. We vaccinated and drenched her as well, and there are currently no signs of any bugs or parasites in or on her.

All four “flowers” have met our sweet black and white puppy, who looks like a miniature Rosie. Jaynee started her herding lessons on our four docile calves, who don’t seem to really known what to think of her. Despite their confusion, however, they usually run away and allow themselves to be grouped together and moved into their stalls.

Jaynee doesn’t need to be around, when the milk bottles come out, though. Jasmine, Violet, Dahlia, and Rose all know it is feeding time when they hear us calling, “Come on girls! Let’s go!” or “You guys hungry?” When those magic words are emitted into the air, you can see the sixteen legs cantering towards us for their warm bottle of milk.

~ Juli@ ~