Looked at 2.30. Found all 4 in K14, laying together in a close huddle, looking quite relaxed, chewing cud. No sign of any problems. Checked trough, full to brim (rain water?).

Today at 4.40

The three younger males seem really agitated, lola is nowhere to be seen, clever clogs was running around and 71 baying. Where's mum. X

Cattle Wellbeing and Monday Check.

With regards to previous posts raising concerns about the cattle - obviously this time of year is quite hard on them due to lack of lush vegetation. However, please rest assured that we keep a close eye on them and are constantly monitoring their condition and general health.

Research shows that cattle spend around 14 hours a day lying down and approximately 6 hours a day chewing the cud (dependant on forage type). It is important for cattle to have this downtime as it is when they ruminate and also their opportunity to rest and dry off etc. Bearing those figures in mind it is more likely that you'll see the animals at rest on your visits. Understandably if you experience this this over several consecutive visits it can start to appear that the animal(s) are potentially listless or out of character.

However, this is not to say that some of the behaviour you see and report is not out of the ordinary and we always investigate such reports. With this in mind I checked in on the cattle yesterday afternoon after several blog posts about lethargy etc.

All four cattle were actively grazing when I found them and after a quick investigation of me they resumed their browsing activities. Two of the youngsters were grazing the first small grasses coming through while the other youngster was grazing heather. Lola, meanwhile, was happily browsing on birch scrub. Condition wise Lola is looking as good as ever and the youngsters are looking as one would expect for this time of year. They're not thin but are obviously slightly down in condition but that is understandable given the rougher forage that they are tackling at the moment.

With the first of the grasses beginning to come through now they will start to get more opportunity to graze on more lush forage. In the meantime we will continue to monitor them and will take appropriate action if the need arises.

I hope this goes someway to helping you all feel better about the cattle but if you have any follow up queries or concerns then feel free to get in contact with me.

Regards

Rich.

Just 30 mins after Joanne.  All in M11.  Lola and Castor licking a "brown dustbin" on the ground with gusto.  Assume its a cattle lick?  Cronus and Clever Clogs browsing heather and young gorse.

Today at 4.00pm

All four spread out in the clearing, top, right of the heath field. Seem much happier today. X

Today at 5.30

All four laying down in amongst the young birch trees not far from the main carpal side gate. Me three kids and two dogs didn't make them even twitch. Hope they are OK. Honestly sounds like there a t rex in the woods, it's heart wrenching, tell me off but I'm going to gather some grass for them Xx

Today 6.30

Lola eating Heather

Today at 6.25pm

All cattle mid heath field. One baying very loudly indeed. Bring on the grass. They are eating the Heather x

Looked today at 2.00. Found all 4 cows in G15, laying down chewing cud. As Joanne reported they do look a bit listless although no sign of any problems. Checked trough which is working OK.

Today at 3.20

I've come past them again very near this time, they seem totally lethargic, I'm a bit worried they have barely registered me or the dogs. Are they conserving their energy thro lack of food. Are they OK?? There poos are really small x

Today at 3.20

I've come past them again very near this time, they seem totally lethargic, I'm a bit worried they have barely registered me or the dogs. Are they conserving their energy thro lack of food. Are they OK?? There poos are really small x

Today at 2.40

All four lying in the clearing at the to right corner of the heath field. They seem to be very calm and soaking up the sun. X

All among gorse around 4pm today

All looking well as per Alan's post. Dropped them off a lick. You have to guess where from the below pics.

All fit and well in M3 at 1500 hrs today.  Lola lying cudding, the boys browsing on some feeble looking heather.  Snow fast disappearing, so better forage should appear soon.  Surprised they were not taking nearby gorse that is in abundance there.

All fine today.

All four were in the woods near the railway this morning. All looking fit and well.

Looked at 3.30 (just missed Joanne!). Found all 4 in the trees in C8, C9. Not a lot of forage. Lola was working on the holly bushes, the three lads scrimaging about in the dead leaves and litter. No problems. Checked trough, seems to  be working OK again - full to the brim.

Today at 4.15

All four heads down amongst the gorse bushes just off the bottom path of the heath field. All quite and calm

Today at 2.40 pm

All the cows are by the main gate from the first car park, once again no 71 is mooing loudly. They are standing where there is nothing what so ever to eat. Looking quite tall and slim. Roll on new growth x

After a long walk around eventually found all 4 in E6 at 1000 hrs.  Not much for them there but browsing some bramble.  All are fit and well.  Trough OK too.

Today at 4.40 pm

The three younger cows are still hanging out by the hay bale (don't blame them), lola was a little further down the path but still keeping a watchful eye. X

Bored with hay now; browsing felled pine needles in I12 at 1345hrs.

Not moved very far from last blog haha.

All laying up not 10ft from hay. Looking very content. Trough full. Back to business!

Today at 5pm

The cows looking very contented with their hay bale, staying very close to it, even laying on it. The trough is now very full and on testing is working well x

Friday 2nd March - Water Situation.

After Jo's call to Guy I went over to Bramshot Heath to sort out the water situation. I scooped a load of the slush out of the trough which left them quite a bit of water available.

There is also a large scrape around L6/M6 which holds a lot of water at this time of year (more like a pond!) so I broke up a load of the ice covering this so that the cattle could access the water.

There's now plenty of water available for them and I'll be out again to double check and re-break the ice if required. Looks like it is going to be mild tomorrow with rain moving in tonight so hopefully it'll all thaw out quite quickly.

Jo, thanks for reporting the water shortage. It shows how quickly they can deplete a trough full once the supply freezes up.

Today at 4.20

Water trough has about three inches of green water /slush /ice in the bottom and the ball cock have a huge mass of ice around it. Its not working. Have called guy x

Today at 3.50

All four huddled around the hay bale munching away, they must think all their Christmas's have come at once xx

1.3.18 - 3.30pm

Given the snow and weather forecast hay has been put out for the cattle this afternoon - enough to last them into the week-end.