Well, finally
My calves arrived 7am friday. Very cold morning, 31 degrees, but sunny.
The guy who delivered them said they were loaded on the trailer with halters, but the breeder kept the halters. So, he backed up the trailer to the big slider on the barn, opened it up, and we coaxed them out of the trailer with a bucket of grain. The calves had the good sense to look around a bit and head right into their stall. Door locked, all safe and secure. Good calves.
All day friday I checked on them hourly. First thing I gave them some alfalfa hay and a tub of water. My husband got home around 6pm and we went and fed them a little grain. We both went in the stall and I held a bucket for the heifer calf, while he held one for the bull calf. The first day I wouldn't go into the stall alone.
It was a very stormy weekend here so we didn't get to do much with the calves beyond feeding and watering them. Just checking on them every 3-4 hours or so. I looked up how to make "cow cookies" treats, and included some ingredients on our grocery list. While we were out shopping I picked up a few halters and collars. Also, picked up 5 huge bags of garden soil. Stopped raining last night, but it was still fairly muddy out this morning.
I mixed up the cow cookies Saturday evening and cooked them up Sunday morning. The calves got one each and really loved them. I'm going to switch between using the bucket, and treats in my pocket. Hopefully they will respond to both kinds of treats.
This morning I walked off (measured by pacing) the area where I need to build a stout bull pen. I should have a shopping list for the construction materials by this weekend. From what I understand, the bull calf will need to be separated by November 8th or so. He will be 6 months old at that time.
My next moves will be to get the halter on each of them. I need to move the bull calf into his own stall, instead of keeping them together.
I also need to work on using the garden soil to fill some holes in the pasture that my dog put there. She has been hunting ground squirrels
We probably have half the amount of soil that we need, but more than I will be able to use this week. We can buy 5 more bags next weekend if needed.
I can also tie the calves in their stalls and see how they do with that. I don't know how much training they've already had.
Expecting some company to come out Tuesday and Wednesday this week, so I do hope I'll be able to get some work done with the calves beyond just taking care of them
I hope to get these calves out in the pasture within the next week or two. They can be out there while we construct the bull's area, at least if the weather stays nice.
The photos aren't great. Both animals are much lighter color than they appear. Sunrise, transport guy's trailer, photos of heifer and bull calves. The bull is the darkest of the two.
ETA: The bull calf comes up to my elbow and the heifer calf is about 7 or 8 inches shorter.