Moving calves! It's kind of like the first day of kindergarden!

What happens to calves AFTER the calf hutches?  Well.... they get moved to their new pen in the heifer barn.  As you can see, "Princess" has been eating her Wheaties and now is way tooo big for her hutch.  Her diet is a complete calf starter, cold water, and a little bit of soft hay.  Transitioning calves from the hutch to their "group pens" is somewhat of an art.  It is essential that the transition is very smooth or she will get sick.  At a few weeks of age, I dehorned "Princess" and a few weeks ago she got her vaccinations.  I like to break it up into sections so there is not too much "going on" at once for her.  The weather is great and I'm sure she will do just fine. :)

Today, I will be moving 9 calves from their hutches to the heifer barn.  The barn is split into groups of 10.  The calves will stay with their group of 10 until about a year and a half.  Why?  Calves and cows like to do things in groups.  Here is the pen that these 9 calves will go into.  There is clean bedding, fresh water, and a constant supply of hay.  They also get a little grain each morning to ensure a well balanced diet. 



Moving them is a two person job!  hahah.  We use a halter to guide them to where we want them to go.  Im sure its pretty funny to watch -- two people running after a calf in the driveway! :)  Some calves are more difficult than others.  It only took us 15 minutes and we had them all in their new spot.  Definately sweaty! 

Here is a video of the critters before after we moved them.  Its quite entertaining to watch. Its kind of like the first day of kindergarden.  "Mom.... This is fun!  Mom.. Im scared.  Mom... baaaaa! Mom.. he smells...." Oh I remember kindergarden.  I got yelled at my first day because I went in the wrong door. :(

I will keep close eye on them for a week or so to make sure they transition well.