Once again, this year, it was discovered while removing the bull from the cows during calving season we had forgotten to put hay for him up in the bull pen. Each year it is always a different reason it is forgotten. This year was no different.
When hay was brought in, abnormally, months early. The co-op of farmers stacked it neatly in the barns and secured it by closing the doors and gates. We had forgotten to tell them to put a small stack by the bull pen. At the time it was the last thought from our brains because nothing was being housed there when hay was being brought in from the back fields.
There are worse things than bringing in a good supply of hay, early, before the weather turned. It did lead to today’s afternoon of exercise. I made a make-shift hay pulley out of heavy boards. Placing one end on the hay pile and the other end on the back of the ATV. I then slid the hay bales across the pulley system. This made it easier and safer on me than lifting and carrying each 75+ pound bale.
I would have used the hay rollers but guess what? They were stored against the back wall of the barn out of the way. Last spring tidying up when we finished feeding the hay in the barn and turned the cows out to pasture, we put them out of the way. I know I had every intention of moving them before the hay was delivered but it came early. By the time I remembered the hay rollers the tractors had brought in over half the hay loads and they buried the rollers. By the time they are exposed next spring, we will have no need for them.
Today it was enjoyable to be out in the fresh cold crisp air. The last two days had been extremely frigid with the wind chill factor. The peaceful air without winds felt welcoming. I was fortunate to have my youngest grown daughter, who had the day off work and able to help me. When maneuvering around the ranch having an extra set of hands to open and shut gates makes life so much easier.
The flocks of wild turkeys were also enjoying the day. I counted two 50+ flocks fluttering about. One on either side of the swiftly flowing creek that was deep from the snow and rain of the past days. When I entered the barn there were a dozen turkeys roosting on the fence line around the feeder. Even though they are interesting creatures they in fact foul.
Spence the ranch dog found just how foul this past autumn when he decided they would be fun to chase. Did I mention Spence is not a working dog, he is a beloved pet who comes by his bird chasing nature easily as a golden lab retriever mix.
Anyhow, Spence took to chasing the wild turkeys and found after the second time they did not back down to his barking and chasing. They instead formed a circle around him and began pecking him. Once we scared them off, which was not easy to do without them coming at us, he always gives them a wide berth if not the whole paddock or jumps in the ATV and cowers under the seat.
Duke (or Duke of Earl as I call him) is the ranch’s Hereford bull of the last two years was standing at the gate to the barn area when we pulled up to it. His highness was looking at the barn full of hay in gleeful anticipation of eating it. I could sense he wanted us to hurry up with our task at hand.
Duke is content being alone as he gets more attention and does not have to share hay. His only plight during the winter months is being housed in the pen next to Belle (my eldest daughter’s horse) a feisty eighteen-year-old Palomino.
Belle has no qualms about letting the cows or a 2500-pound bull know that she is in charge!
The task at hand today was done rather efficiently and we were back in the warmth of the house sooner than we had expected. Duke was happy and content eating hay from his feeder in the bull pen. By the time calving season was over he would be ready to be back out in the pastures grazing on soft tender green grasses.
