If you've ever seen The Odd Couple, you would understand the reference between the respective cow and cast counterparts; neat, uptight Felix Ungar and the slovenly, easygoing Oscar Madison. Turns out the acclaimed Swiss Brown was not that shown in the picture in my last post, but a Jersey Swiss cross, meaning that Oscar will grow much larger and to have different characteristics to Felix. The contrasting brown shade of the calf in the previous picture was that of a Murray, a cow valued for beef which would automatically raise his selling price to $500. At $250, these two in tow with worming and castrating at four weeks may have not been our worst bet. Many claim that once you pay for an animal, it is no longer rescuing but more promoting the industry, however I believe any time you rescue an animal from a situation threatening their wellbeing, and most importantly, their life - money or not, it makes no difference.
The calves are neglected and emaciated, and their rump and ribs can be felt easily. This is only a subtle indicator of the conditions they were raised in. What can only be described as a hoarder's palace was we were greeted by as we arrived on the property in the region of Colac, a hefty three-hour drive from the city. We were received by dogs, hens, goats and a shetland pony and finally, the sight of a dead calf, laying in the yard. The seller suggested that he had killed it with blunt force earlier as a result of it's inability to drink from the feeder. The arraying show of negligence continued as we in disbelief of the situation being legal, continued to the pen, seeing young calves crowding, their hooves sunk in mud. The reconstituted milk powder emptied into the feeders was more or less a watery cloud, rather than the creamy milk replacer that I have grown used to raising kids with. He claimed that he fed them each 3L a day, whereas local stockfeed suggested 5L. The problem with these dairy calves are that while within the property of registered dairy producers, they are subject to animal rights laws and regulations, whereas once they leave the property, the restrictions lift and they are often able to be kept in conditions that are unregulated, unhygienic and hazardous. Although we originally had decided to transport the calves to the farm directly, their questionable health status and showing thinness made us decide to keep them at our city dwellings for a week or so, monitoring and feeding in the hopes of seeing them become more robust. We've purchased a bag of milk replacer at $85 and a feeding bottle, however having not planned to realistically keep them here, our arrangements for shelter are limited. The weather forecast for the next day or say remains in the 20°Cs, but approaching showers means we need find a solution fast. A makeshift lean-to & tarp may have to be our only option for temporary housing. I can only hope that they will get stronger under our care - this may be harder than we thought.
which one lost a horn?