Sunday 25th October - All 25 seen - Cow 940 is unwell

At 10:00 this morning, cow 940 was alone at the southern end of the eastern pasture. She was standing still with her neck bent towards the ground. She was happy for me to approach, but remained in this position rather than raising her head to enjoy her usual head strokes. I gave her a thorough check over, paying particular attention to her neck and shoulders, but couldn't find any signs of injury. I contacted Ned from HIWWT, sharing some photos and videos. Ned advised that when they saw her on Friday, she wasn't her usual self. The vet had suspected that something was irritating her gut lining and had taken samples in the hope of getting a more accurate diagnosis, to help determine the appropriate treatment. In the meantime, Brie had been given antibiotics and painkillers. Ned thought the painkillers may have been masking her symptoms when I saw her yesterday, which would explain why she appeared normal. Her output on the NoFence app had also remained around average until last night. I stayed with her for a while before moving off to check the other cattle, but continued to monitor her from a distance.

A mixed group of eighteen cattle were grazing at the southern end of the pasture near the woodland. By 10:45, they had started settling down in the sunny but windswept pasture. Several wandered over to say hello and enjoy plenty of strokes and rubs before lying down to rest. Youngster 222 was his usual affectionate self, greeting me with a gentle head rub before leaning in for a neck and back scratch. Shortly afterwards, youngster 219 wandered over to greet me before settling in for a lengthy back scratch. Once we'd finished, he lay down at my feet. The others were happy to be checked while resting, with most enjoying plenty of fuss.

Steers 35 and 217, along with cow 72, preferred to rest in the shade of the trees in the corner by the stile. They were all looking very comfortable as they relaxed and chewed their cud. Steers 30 and 197, along with cow 211, were grazing in the bushes near the water troughs, enjoying an assortment of leaves. By midday, all three emerged from the thicket and wandered over to say hello before lying down next to the large group of resting cattle. Cow 211 was especially friendly, thoroughly enjoying a lengthy neck and back scratch before settling down to rest.

The water trough connected to the bowser was still full, while the other trough was now empty. I gave the connected trough a thorough clean, removing all the leaves floating on the surface. The bowser still had plenty of drinking water, with just under half a tank remaining.

Afterwards, I went to spend some more time with the herd, who were still resting. Several stood up as I made my way around, keen to enjoy back scratches before settling back down. Youngster 227 preferred to roll onto his side so he could enjoy belly scratches. The twenty-four cattle were all happy, relaxed, and looking well.

Around 11:00, cow 940 wandered over to the woodland near the eastern perimeter fence, near ///tune.pitching.flush, where she once again stood still with her head pointing towards the ground. At one point, she lay down to rest, but was back on her feet within ten seconds. She remained in the woodland for some time before emerging and standing beside the path. Throughout my visit, I didn't see her attempt to graze, chew her cud, urinate or defecate.

After saying goodbye to the main herd around 13:10, I went back to check on Brie. She had moved further into the pasture but was still standing quietly, either with her nose against the grass or her head held about a foot above the ground. She was happy for me to sit down beside her and occasionally stroke her neck. I updated Ned before saying my goodbyes shortly after 13:30.

Ned intends to collect Brie tomorrow morning and take her back to the farm. Hopefully, the results of the vet's tests will be back by then, allowing her to receive the correct treatment. Wishing the gorgeous Brie a speedy recovery.

With the exception of cow 940, the cattle were all good today.

UPDATE: I returned to spend some more time with the cattle between 15:30 and 17:00 this afternoon. Unfortunately, there had been no change in Brie's condition. She stayed at the southern end of the eastern pasture throughout my visit, standing with her head down on the far side of the path near the woodland. She was happy to be approached and seemed to enjoy having the sides of her neck gently stroked as I sat with her.

The other cattle were peacefully grazing across the pasture, but most wandered over to say hello and enjoy some fuss.

Saturday 24th October - All 25 seen

At 09:20 this morning, all twenty-five cattle were near the southeast corner of the site, with around half grazing and the other half relaxing and chewing their cud under the trees. They were quick to come over to say hello, happily accepting plenty of strokes and rubs. Youngster 222 welcomed me with gentle head rubs before settling in for a lengthy neck and shoulder rub. Around 10:00, the first heavy downpour arrived, and all the cattle moved under the trees to shelter.

By 10:15, the rain had eased, and the cattle started drifting back out to graze down the eastern pasture towards Bourley Road. Youngster 220 was looking great today, coming out of the woodland to greet me before standing close by to relax and chew his cud. After a while, he wandered off to enjoy the plentiful grass. By 10:35, the whole herd was out grazing, so I went over to check the water troughs, only for youngster 227 to follow me. He enjoyed plenty of fuss before I reached the troughs.

The trough connected to the bowser was full, while the other trough had only a small amount of water in one corner. I removed the large leaves from the bottom of both troughs and cleared those floating on the surface, which had been blown in by yesterday's breezy weather. The bowser was half full. A little later, I noticed that the stream had started flowing, providing the cattle with some extra drinking water.

Afterwards, I returned to the eastern pasture with youngster 227 in tow, where I found the cattle all returning to the southeast woodland together in one large group. A few minutes later, around 11:00, the rain started again. The cattle spread out among the trees, finding comfortable spots to relax and chew their cud. Several settled down to rest, seemingly knowing that the rain wasn't going to stop any time soon. They were more than happy to receive plenty more strokes and rubs while resting, with back scratches a particular favourite. The cattle were all happy, relaxed and looking well.

By 11:45, despite the continued rain, the majority of the cattle began to drift out to graze again, heading once more towards Bourley Road. I split my time between the group that wisely remained in the trees and the grazing group. They were all very friendly, regularly coming over to keep me company and enjoy more fuss.

I said my goodbyes at 13:20, leaving steers 21, 33, 35, 219, 220, 271 and 1640, along with cow 72, relaxing under the trees. Steers 20 and 270 were lying out in the pasture in front of them, completely unbothered by the rain. The remaining cattle were peacefully grazing.

She who will not be collared, the gorgeous cow 211, has already slipped her collar! 🐮😂

The cattle were all good today.

Friday 23rd October - All 25 seen

 Between 07:40 - 09:00

Quick look this morning due to the rubbish weather!

Most of the cattle were in the trees at the furthest left hand corner from the Bourley Road. They were all very wet from the constant rain but were at least attempting to find some shelter, unlike 5 of the Sussex’s and 219 who were in the middle of the field. 

Apart from being soaked from the rain they were all good this morning.