Cows are such creatures of habit, it simply astounds me. Even after all these years of tending to these big black and white animals, I still can, at times, shake my head in wonder.
I usually help my husband tie up cows after mid-morning chores. I don’t normally have to go out after breakfast to help with all of the chores unless there is something going on that he needs to do and he’s in a rush. Otherwise, I get a phone call later morning, “Cows are coming in.”
We milk, feed cows grain, hay and corn silage, and tend to the calves and heifers before breakfast, then we both come in the house, have our devotions and eat breakfast. My husband then goes back out to let cows out for a little exercise, feed them dry hay, scrape up, bed them and clean barn. That’s when I get the call to go back out and help tie up cows as they come back into the barn.
One day, because all I had to do was to help tie up cows, I figured instead of getting into my full barn duds, I’d just pull on some high boots, an overcoat and no hat. The cows were just filing into the barn when I took my usual spot on one side. Out of the corner of their eye they spotted this person who looked nothing like their Kay and stopped dead in their tracks.
Some went in their stall, but when I bent down to snap them in, they backed out, bug-eyed. My husband had to stand behind them so they would stay put. Finally I started talking calmly, “Goodness gracious, it’s just me; you know who I am, for crying out loud.” The sound of my voice settled them and after that, I just talked a little and proceeded to hook everybody up as usual. It was crazy. They are such babies!
One time a mouse ran through one of the cow’s stanchions just before she stepped over the gutter into her stall. Oh she freaked, made an about-face and left the premises. Well. Now. I can see her point there.
This fall, we had our barn whitewashed. To prepare for the whitewashers, we have to clean and organize and in the process toss accumulated items, which I absolutely love. Downsizing and de-cluttering, two of my favorite things to do. As I age I’m getting better at stilling the small voice inside my head, “But what if I need it …”
After the whitewashers left, the barn took on a new look and yes, the cows did not like it — again, the bug-eyed, stop dead in their tracks response to anything different. They eventually got accustomed to their new, improved environment, but it took a little while.
We had to purchase sawdust for our winter bedding because of the weather creating havoc with our straw. I actually like the way the sawdust looks in each stall. It’s clean and quite white and fresh. We have to wear a mask when we distribute it because it’s sort of dusty, but other than that, I rather like it.
The cows? They had an issue, of course. They took one look at this white stuff and one went here, one went there and one even went in front by their mangers through a gate. It was as if we were trying to mess with their head.
Finally day after day, getting into a routine of seeing the white fluffy bedding instead of the golden yellow straw, they settled down and went about their business as usual.
Cows are such creatures of habit; that much I have learned after years of tending. We just need to help keep their normal routine as close to what they’re used to as possible. It’s easier on them and that makes it easier on us!
A side note: Praying all of the hunters in the woods this deer hunting season stay safe, have fun and are successful. Saying a prayer for each one’s safety and an angel of God to accompany them: “Angel of God my guardian dear, to whom God’s love entrust me here. Ever this day be at my side, to light and guard, rule and guide.” In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
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