SparkyDanger

I was going to write about the broiler chicks, and how this morning Danny and I moved them from the brooder out to their mobile shelters on pasture, but instead...the cow I wrote about the other day (the Beltie who just had her calf) decided to pummel me.

We needed to sort out two girls from the herd, so we brought everyone into the barnyard, where we then sort out the ones we want.  They were all sparky and wild, galloping around and kicking up their heels.  Not ideal.  So I was pushing from behind and that #20 looked at me all bright-eyed again; I was probably 6' away when she stutter-stepped all football-like, but then charged, all 1300lbs of her.  I tried to run away while keeping an eye on her, and then next thing I knew her head was in my chest, I was grabbing her ears and neck, with a sick certainty that I was going to be stepped on, wondering which bones would break.  All I could see was black and white fur, and think "This is happening."  I'm not really sure what happened, but I was on the ground and then I was standing up yelling "I'm okay."

She later came after Danny and our dad as well, but they had sorting sticks and were able to rap her on the nose and stop her charge.  Then another feisty girl panicked in the sweep and leapt out.  She got her front two legs over top, but my dad somehow got her back down before she went over.  More strength borne of fury, fear, and determination than physical strength.

Sparky sparky girls.  Not fun.  They eventually reached their new paddock though, and are enjoying fresh grass.  Good for them. 

People ask us what a typical work day looks like...there's this curiosity about what actually HAPPENS on a farm, since it's so different from a 9-5 job.  This anecdote wasn't typical of events on the farm, but it was in that the unexpected should always be expected.  So that covers about two hours of my work day...bruises are already swelling up purple, but it could've been worse.