Moo’s Big Day!
Since Moo arrived a month ago, he’s been living in the cow barn, first alone, and then with Lash, one of our friendly girls. Our hope was that he would get used to human contact so that he would eventually allow us to do routine health checks on him and medicate him when necessary. He was allowed contact with the other cows through a gate, but since they spend much of the day out in the pasture, his isolation encouraged him to to interact with the people around the farm. For the most part, it was a success. He arrived timid and jumpy, not allowing anyone to get close enough to touch him. Within a couple of days, he was approaching us for food, and in almost no time at all, he was calling to us for treats whenever we walked by with a bucket.
(I learned that he especially appreciates Zingerman’s challah bread. We get a donation of bread from them weekly, and two weeks ago when it arrived, I sliced a loaf of challah and brought it to Moo’s pen. I pulled up a bucket to sit on and waited for him to approach me. After his first bite of the bread, he walked up and buried his head in my lap to eat the rest!)
Today was a big day for Moo. He finally got to run in the big pasture with the other cows and steers! Just like when he exited the trailer on the night of his arrival, he moved so fast that we missed the picture! He was behind Lash, and we expected him to follow her out, but he dashed ahead of her. Here is his cute little rear end running out of the barn for the first time.
Once he got outside, he turned and let out a huge “Moooo!” It’s always been easy to tell how he earned his uninspired moniker. Then he stood for a moment to take in his surroundings.
Soon, all the other cows realized that something big was happening. I thought Moo would be intimidated, but true to his puppy-like nature, I don’t think it occurred to him to scared, even when faced with a whole herd of cattle twice his size!
It was a very smooth introduction. We watched for awhile to make sure everyone was safe, and last we saw, the others had taken him back into the hills to graze in the shade. They welcomed him like they’d been waiting all month for him to be able to come and stand in their circle. Most people have no idea of the strong bonds that cows form withing the herd, but it’s truly amazing to watch them comfort, nurture and groom each other. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next few days.
October 12th, 2007 at 5:33 pm
I love the third picture, especially. Hee!
Thanks for posting, Amanda. It’s nice that when I can’t get out there for a while, that I can check in on everyone this way. =) Thanks!