Weaning Lismore

Lismore is getting on for a year old, we have been wanting to wean her for some time but did not have suitable fields fenced to keep her and Bluebell well apart. They need sturdy fences with strong electric.

Doug finished fencing what we call 'Owens field' last week and we have finally split them up.

We put eartags in them both so they are legal - we have had the eartags some time but not got around to putting them in as it is a bit of an undertaking.

Poor Lismore had to have her head tied to a tree to hold it still enough. She seemed to recover from the indignity quite quickly. The light on her side makes it look like she has a wound, but she doesn't 

Bluebell didn't seem very bothered about having her ears pierced. This is her 'where is my piece or bread as a reward' look.

We put Lismore in with the herd (Buttercup, Hainoa, Islay and Bif) and Bluebell is on her own for a while now until Big goes to the abattoir and Buttercup dries up. We put a nose spike (the red thing in her nose in the photo) on her as we think Buttercup might let her feed with Bif otherwise - she is very obliging.

Both mum and daughter have spent hours roaring and calling to the other, but neither has managed to bust out yet and hopefully both will get over it soon.

We haven't bothered weaning Bif as he is going to the abattoir soon and we want to keep him fat until then.