With the exception of the occasional snow flurries, we’re welcoming the arrival of spring here at the sanctuary.
For the small herd of rescued Jersey cattle that resides here, the onset of spring corresponds with green pastures for grazing and warm sunshine for sunbathing. They’re already nibbling at the carpet of new growth that has emerged from the muddy winter paddock and we’ve begun to catch them delving into the creek to eat the vegetation. Soon, we’ll open the path to the summer pastures so they can roam the hillsides on either side of the chimpanzee enclosures, grazing and napping the long days away until next winter.
The cattle may require less attention than the chimps, but they’re not entirely independent. In fact, they require a bit of maintenance, especially in the spring and fall. Each year, there are a few things that need to happen before the cattle can go on summer vacation.
First, we need to make sure the pasture grass is ready for cattle. Domestic cattle aren’t native here and turning the herd out to pasture too soon can damage the vegetation and terrain (and can also be harm their sensitive guts).
We also need to check the pasture fences and make sure nothing was damaged during the winter storms and freezes.
Then, we have to wean them off of the supplemental hay that we provision through the colder months.
Finally, we prefer to have their annual veterinary exams completed while they’re still hanging out in the winter paddock.
We’re gradually working our way down that checklist. Even though the pastures aren’t quite ready yet and we’re still giving the bovines a bale of hay each morning, we were able to do their annual exams last week.
To facilitate these procedures, we closed the cattle in the Bud Box and then did a quick exam on each individual before letting them back out into the larger paddock. Dr. Erin led the exams as J.B. and I took notes and provided a little extra muscle (although even the two of us are relatively useless when the rowdy patient weighs over a thousand pounds).
The routine exams consisted of full body check-ups, hoof inspections, annual vaccinations, and follow-up diagnostics related to any minor health issues that caregivers had previously documented (e.g. Meredith’s brief “ain’t doin’ right” in January). As usual, Dr. Erin worked quickly; even the tamest of domestic cattle don’t particularly enjoy being confined and restrained for very long, which can cause them to grow fractious in a hurry.
Fortunately, we successfully completed the essential tasks and the cattle resumed their normal routine almost immediately. In addition to our meticulous documentation of the exam procedures and findings, we also managed to take some quick snapshots to share with you all.
We’re happy to report that everyone looked great and seems to be in prime physical condition. (Nutmeg, especially, is the epitome of health and oozes masculine confidence. If you’re not yet convinced, check out some of our past blogs about him. You’ll be in awe of this majestic lad.)
Now, the cattle only need their annual hoof trims and a little more growth in the pastures before they can resume their summer landscaping duties!
Linda Gere says
Awesome blog today. Glad they all are in perfect health.
Anthony says
Thanks, Linda!
tom austin says
they apparently have no more issues with that “gate” system they must traverse…..
Anthony says
They’re growing more accustomed to entering the Bud Box (the special pen we use to direct them into chutes for procedures) and to going through the gateways that lead to the other pastures. It takes them a while to navigate their way around new features, but they eventually figure it out and develop new routines. Hopefully, they won’t act baffled when we open up the pastures for the first time this spring!
Debi says
Age is rather creeping up on me, so I don’t always trust my memory, but wasn’t it Meredith last year who, at first, was so reluctant to pass through the wide open gate, to accompany her friends into their new pasture…I thought it was so totally endearing of her… : )
Linda C says
It was, Debi!
Anthony says
Yes, that was Meredith! I apologize for the late reply.
Tobin says
Anthony,
Thank you for the update on the Jersey quartet. I am pleased that they passed their veterinary exams; it is heartening to read and see that Nutmeg was conscientious of Dr. Erin’s labors and volunteered to assist her. With any luck, in a few more weeks dinner will be served in the Summer pasture, and Betsy can wade down into the creek and receive one of her mud facials.
Anthony says
Of course, Tobin! Nutmeg is a great assistant; he only knocks over some of the containers. We’re looking forward to summer for so many reasons, too!
PatC says
Glad to hear our bovine buddies are ready for their important summer work. And thank you for a lovely pic of Nutmeg and his curly-do! xo
Anthony says
Glad to supply you with Nutmeg pics, Pat!
Françoise says
What a mooorning. I just pulled an all-nighter. Tough when you’re trying to write coherently at 5 am, to deadline, so I was feeling fragile already. And then I open the blog to see the beautifully bodacious bovines getting their spring overhauls and found myself teary… It seems it’s been forever, or maybe a week, since I read about their 2020 kick-off into Spring. Are we there again already?! Is it Groundhog Day? Where did the time go? An entire year. It’s just a blur. Thankfully, your blog has been here and the vibrant impish serious funny charming brilliant (is that you, Jamie, rattling with a wrench?) people at the foot of the Cascades have helped me, no, ALL of us get through this nightmare. Alas, we know not how long it will last. Will next spring be truly fresh and new? Let’s put our spirits and love together for all of us running this tragic marathon and hope it ends soon. It’s sleep for me, for you, wishes for another beautiful busy day at CSNW. Be well.
Kathleen says
I feel what you are expressing François, thanks for putting it into words. Everyone at the foot of the Cascades has helped me too. Sunshine and warmth in the darkness. And inspiration. And laugher. And hope.
Anthony says
Spring 2020 feels like it just happened. It’s been a wild year and, in some respects, it’s gone by quite fast. From another perspective, it feels like it’s a new era. I’m sure the truth is somewhere in the middle. Either way, the routine at the sanctuary (and continuation of the seasons) has given so many of us some much-needed consistency. Francoise and Kathleen, you can rest assured knowing that you’re part of the CSNW family and we always look forward to your blog comments. Thanks for reading all our content and supporting the sanctuary!
Kathleen says
Come on, admit it Anthony. It was either you or J.B. who added the Dippity-Do spike to Nutmeg’s pomp, right?! (Reference photo captioned “Nutmeg assists Dr. Erin”)
I am happy learn everyone is healthy. And it’s nice to see Meredith still respecting the 6’ rule. Clearly she takes her health a wee bit more seriously than the others. Thanks for keeping us up to date on the magnificently beautiful Jersey Gang
Anthony says
Nutmeg does it all himself, unless the ladies do it with literal cow-licks…
J.B. did have to apply some ointment to Nutmeg’s ears, though, giving him a pink fringe on both sides of his massive head. He looked very dapper, indeed.
Debi says
“Dippity-Do” …..Kathleen, you’re cracking me up at all the OLD memories of that sticky, pink hair “glue”…(I still have a very distinct memory of what it smelled like, too)…I longed to have straight hair in high school during the heyday of early “super models” (shortly after Twiggy & Jean Shrimpton),.. like Jerry Hall & Lauren Hutton…I so wanted stick-straight blond hair, but unfortunately, I had long & unruly CURLY…& worse…vibrant RED hair…(Teased all the time… : ) used to wrap my Dippity-Do-ed hair around orange juice cans to attempt to straighten…Our Mom caught my sister ironing my hair one day & she got so mad at us…Ha!
Linda C says
Change red to brown, and you’re me, Debi! I’ve learned to live with the curl, but never the frizz!
Linda C says
Omigosh, I just noticed that now! He looks like the head of the Lollipop Guild!
Pamela says
Anthony, what a wonderful and thoughtful post of these sweet cattle. Thank you for the great pictures!
Anthony says
No problem, Pamela! I’m glad you liked the post.
Pat Malcolm says
Thanks for the pictures, but…no Meredith? Although I wouldn’t go so far as to ask for a group pic! Nice to see everyone looking happy and healthy!
Anthony says
When I went to the barn to check up on them, Meredith had her head buried in the hay feeder and couldn’t be bothered to acknowledge my presence. 🙂