It's been a while since giving an update on our itty-bitty Miss Liberty. With so much going on right now my "desk time" is minimal, so keeping up with updates on our orphan calf is long overdue.
Jumping right into it, she's surviving!
Video shows the roughness of the coat, and the lack of grooming her mama would've provided and taught. Also, in comparison, the 2023 heifer calf eating closest to her indicates the smaller frame that Liberty is maintaining.
I'm concerned that she's still so small, although her gains are good and on track, she was so tiny when she came into this world, I had hoped with her Mama around, she would catch up faster with the other 2023 calves. Of course, that option eluded us when Midge was put down.
She is still teeny tiny in comparison to the other two heifers. Of course, their mamas are larger cows, and Midge was a smaller-framed animal. But, I fear she will never grow in leaps and bounds.
Time will tell, and with time decisions will be made that take the herd entirely into consideration.
Our goal is healthy, happy, thriving animals. And, Liberty missed out on so much maternal training and bonding, I sometimes watch her in the field among the rest of the herd and recognize her in survival mode. It's what has become normal to her. She avoids close contact with most of the others because she's the easiest target to push around -- from the calves to the yearlings and even the mature cows.
Now, this little bison orphan calf stays "with" them, but she doesn't intrude. She stays in close proximity for protection (safety in numbers), and because of herd mentality.
A few weeks ago the herd had come into the corrals. I was working outside of the corrals, so the mature bulls were close to the panels (they're nosy and have no fear of my presence). The younger buffs came in, walking on the other side of the mature bulls to enter through the alley.
Except Liberty. Her self-distancing from close proximity meant she came through the alley against the panel closest to me. The other calves, uncertain what Nate might do if they passed him rather than waiting in line, bottlenecked. This pushed Liberty even closer to the outer panel as she avoided the indecision of the other calves working through the dilemma. In a panic, she made a split decision to risk the small space between the outer panel and Nate.
Her timing couldn't have been worse. Nate was growing frustrated that the calves were collecting at his heels, and he lowered his head and kicked toward them. At the same time, Liberty bolted through the small opening only to have Nate's head in her way. She tried to jump over his head (which is 3 of her) as he raised his bonnet toward the sky.
Mind you, I'm standing against the panel on the outside, so within inches of the commotion.
Liberty bleated like I've never heard a calf bleat before!!! Scared the tar out of me for a split second, uncertain if Nate had gored her or broken something as she was flung from about 6' off the ground through the air a good 4-5 ft on his other side.
I couldn't see how she landed because of his hulking presence. But she was immediately on her feet and putting distance between herself and him.
It was a complete accident and not something Nate did intentionally. (it served as a fantastic reminder, however, of just what one of the bulls could/can do to me if I'm ever careless). I watched about her for nearly an hour to make sure she wasn't injured.
So, it's situations like this that cause her to live in constant alert and survive modes. That's stressful. Even though she likely isn't aware it isn't normal, it's still stressful which impacts her physical progress as much as her social development.
We'll continue to update as time permits, but for now, she's surviving.
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